It's depressing how short some positions careers are compared to others. Running backs just die so young.
NFL RB's really get the short end of the stick. I really think they should get paid a little more due to their shelf life. A NFL kicker or QB can go 20 years in the NFL making top dollar, but after 5 years a RB is considered on their downside.
Saints probably will let Mike Bell walk and sign LT. LT works out with Bush in SD in the offseason and he's good friends with Brees so that may the be the best fit for him. Thomas/Bush/LT in the backfield.
Except Bush probably won't be there unless he renegotiates his contract. He's due for a huge pay increase (I can't remember the figure now, but it's pretty astronomical), and there is no way they can justify paying a backup RB/slot receiver that much. Wouldn't be shocked if he's traded for a 4th or 5th rounder, or even just outright released.
IMO he will restructure his contract and stay with the Saints. The town loves him, especially after the SB win and who else is going to pay a slot receiver/3rd down RB/fumbling punt returner big bucks? Not a team but maybe ESPN, they CERTAINLY love him.
Tomlinson has a 146.9 QB rating in his career. He has a 66.7% completion percentage and has a td/int ratio of 7/0! HE'S THE BEST QB OF ALL TIME!
L.T has played in the NFL for 9 yrs , one of the greatest to ever play the game. He is only behind Emmitt and Rice in the TD Dept . But his career is almost done , and i am huge Chargers fan. He started declining in 2008-09 and with injuries at critical times in playoffs .
A declined L.T., can still punch it in with the best of them, and is good at holding on to the ball...That is what we need (Texans)...Ahmen Green, Brown never was even close to Tomlinson's premier level when it comes to red zone TD ability...That is what L.T. does better than anyone. He is a specialist. A red zone specialist...Think similar to soccer, David Beckham can't run, dribble, or defend with the upper skilled, but he does one thing better than 99% of the rest of them (free kicks)...That is Tomlinson. He is world class on being a specialist, and we will see our red zone ability become awesome! Let's do it! We don't need him to be a featured back, but we do need him as part of a running back weapon. I would absolutely take that! If Arian Foster can show us a continuance of his last few games, then he should get a real opportunity to be the reatured back, with L.T. coming in for relief and goal line punch in when needed. This course of action would save us a pick for a corner or such.
If he came cheap, I'd be fine to gamble on him. He has some value, but I wouldn't pay him any real money and I'd only take him if other options weren't available.
The Texans seem all too content to sign the pu pu platter of free agent rejects, avoid big name free agents, and build through the draft. What they need to do is go after Julius "Jugs" Peppers and try to sign LDT as a 3rd down running back and goal line specialist. Neither will happen.
1) *every* franchise signs small-name FAs *every* year. 2) Texans, while they have missed, have signed FAs. Antonio Smith, most recently. 3) Building through the draft is a bad thing???
RealGM Staff Report - Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers all-time leading rusher, was released today after nine seasons in San Diego. Chargers President Dean Spanos met with Tomlinson today and informed his veteran running back that he is being released. “This is a part of the business that I hate, and it’s particularly hard when you’re dealing with someone I consider a friend,” Spanos said. “Change involving great players is never easy. I respect LT as much or more than any player I’ve ever known. And no one appreciates his contributions to this organization more than I do. That is why this is such a difficult announcement for me to make. “It has been a privilege to work with him and witness his entire career. I’m proud of him and grateful to him for the way he has carried himself both on and off the field. “No matter where he chooses to continue his career, in my mind LT will always be a San Diego Charger. His legacy as one of the greatest running backs the game has ever seen will be as a Charger.” Read more: http://football.realgm.com/src_wire...222/chargers_release_tomlinson/#ixzz0gIslIVWl
I can see him in battle red... at least he holds onto the effin' ball. plus he can throw a really pretty halfback pass
I'm with you...People are ignoring the fact this guy set the NFL record for red zone TD punch ins a mere 4 years ago...He had 12 in his worst year with marginal playing time!...I'd jump up and down if we could get a feature back to replicate that... The last thing I want is for him to be the featured back at this point in his career, but he would get an opportunity to shine, and there is no doubt his red zone TD ability is legendary...We shall see
