L.T. done in S.D.? Where he might wind up

BasX · Mar 9, 2009

In an offseason that already has featured more than a few surprises that really weren't all that surprising, the next surprise that really wouldn't be all that surprising will be the departure of running back LaDainian Tomlinson from the San Diego Chargers.

Though both sides generally have kept quiet, a clear impasse exists. The Chargers want to reduce Tomlinson's pay, and to date Tomlinson has balked. Per published reports, the ball currently is in Tomlinson's court.

So unless Tomlinson decides to accept the team's supposedly final offer, L.T. will be a former Charger only two years after winning the league's MVP award as a member of the team.

Assuming that Tomlinson won't blink, he'll either be traded or released, presumably before the team's offseason program launches. And assuming that he likely won't agree to renegotiate his contract to facilitate a trade, it's safe to say that, in the end, he'll be cut.

So who might want Tomlinson? Let's look at the possibilities.

1. Browns
Last year, then-Jets coach Eric Mangini was saddled with an aging quarterback too late in the offseason to make the best use of him. This year, Mangini could incorporate Tomlinson into his attack early enough to maximize his talents.

And Tomlinson could give the team a viable alternative to Jamal Lewis, who has suffered even more wear and tear than L.T.

The move also would inject some much-needed sizzle into a roster that, after last season's disappointment performance, seems nearly as drab as the color that their name describes.

2. Colts
With Dominic Rhodes on the market, the Colts need a tailback who can share the load with Joseph Addai.

The fact that L.T. and quarterback Peyton Manning share an agent (Tom Condon) could help to grease the skids.

The challenge, however, will be to come up with the cap space to satisfy Tomlinson's demands. Moreover, L.T. might want to exhaust all opportunities to be the go-to guy before agreeing to split touches with another ball-carrier.

3. Texans
Coach Gary Kubiak and G.M. Rick Smith need to make a big splash in 2009, or they'll be getting a big shoe in their respective rear ends.

Though Steve Slaton is a budding star, his career will be extended by splitting his reps with a guy like L.T.

Again, the challenge will be to find enough money to make Tomlinson happy, and to persuade him that fewer than 20 touches per game could be the key toward keeping him healthy in January -- if of course the Texans can get there for the first time in franchise history.

4. Broncos
Though G.M. Brian Xanders and coach Josh McDaniels have one year of combined experience with the franchise, it's safe to say that both men already understand the degree of animosity existing among the four AFL rivals who have inhabited the AFC West since the merger.

With L.T. on the market and no clear-cut No. 1 tailback on the team, the Broncos could be interested in making the Chargers regret the decision to dump L.T.

Of course, that decision might not go down so well with the trio of tailbacks who have been signed within the past 10 days (Correll Buckhalter, LaMont Jordan, and J.J. Arrington), but even with real questions as to the amount of gas left in L.T.'s tank, he's still a better option than any of those three.

5. Chiefs
For the reasons that the Broncos would be interested in L.T., the Chiefs should be, too.

But there's a catch. A big one.

Two years ago, Tomlinson whined about Pats coach Bill Belichick after New England toppled the previously 14-2 Chargers on their own turf in the playoffs. If former Patriots V.P. of player personnel and current Chiefs G.M. Scott Pioli emerged from that experience thinking that Tomlinson isn't the kind of guy who fits with the culture that Pioli helped forge in Foxboro and hopes to import to K.C., Pioli would be as interested in L.T. as coach Todd Haley was in T.O.

6. Lions
Detroit hasn't had a high-end tailback since Barry Sanders unexpectedly retired 10 years ago. Though a clear gap exists between the two men, Tomlinson would be far better than anything the Lions currently have.

The challenge would be to persuade L.T. to join a reclamation project.

It's nothing a big pile of cash couldn't cure.

. Buccaneers
Despite signing Derrick Ward and having Earnest Graham on the roster, the Bucs could be tempted to spend some of that mountain of cap space on a guy who would instantly give credibility to the team's effort to juice up the offense.

The problem, however, is that the Bucs still haven't sufficiently addressed their quarterback situation, and Tomlinson might not want to have any part of an offense that has little or no passing game.

Again, it's not a problem that a big pile of cash couldn't cure.

8. Saints
Quarterback Drew Brees, who played with L.T. in San Diego, already has drool snaking down his neck over the possibility of getting Tomlinson to come to New Orleans.

But Tomlinson very well might be a luxury that the Saints don't need and can't afford.

Offense isn't the problem in the Bayou. Even with Deuce McAllister released, the Saints have the firepower at tailback in Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas to complement one of the best passing games in the league.

So unless Tomlinson plans to play safety, the Saints shouldn't be looking to add him to an offense that will still be using only one football.

9. Cardinals
On the surface, Arizona makes a lot of sense for L.T.

If/when Edgerrin James is released, Arizona will need someone to lead the way for a running game that doesn't need to do much running with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin catching passes from Kurt Warner.

But if the Cardinals want a high-priced veteran tailback, why not just keep Edgerrin? His salary is only $5 million; if L.T. wants a penny more than that, James could still be the better option, especially since he already knows the offense.

10. 49ers
With a power running game the focus of the new offense, a guy like L.T. could give it some punch. He's got a nose for the end zone like no other tailback since Walter Payton, and his presence could help keep the full stable of running backs (including Frank Gore and Michael Robinson) relatively fresh.

Tomlinson also would fill the franchise's apparent desire to add a big name to the roster. They flirted with quarterback Kurt Warner, and some in the organization were inclined to pursue receiver Terrell Owens.

That said, the lack of a passing game to help unclog the running lanes makes the Niners potentially as unattractive as the Bucs.

Still, if San Fran is willing to cough up the kind of gold L.T. wants, he might end up staying in California.
Click to expand...

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/29597242/page/2/

Anima · Mar 9, 2009

I would love to see L.T. on the Chiefs, maybe we could trade L.J. for L.T. straight up.

huevonkiller · Mar 9, 2009

Cut Bob Sanders and make some cap room. The guy misses half his games and is getting paid like a king.

I think LT's heart is with the Saints though (if he moves), I could see him giving them a nice discount aside from the Chargers themselves.

Mamba · Mar 9, 2009

LT will be a Charger. If not, he'll be a Saint and finish out his career with Brees.

Master Shake · Mar 9, 2009

Funny, I don't see Dallas on that list.

Mamba · Mar 9, 2009

LOL. Weird.

Master Shake · Mar 9, 2009

Black Mamba said: ↑

LOL. Weird.
Click to expand...

Indeed. Must of forgot.

Mamba · Mar 9, 2009

Browns - No. LT wants to win.
Colts - I could actually see this happening.
Texans - Like I said, LT wants to win.
Broncos - Won't happen. If so, LT will never be loved by the SD people again.
Chiefs - See Broncos
Lions - LOL
Bucs - They just signed Ward and have a nice stable of RB's already.
Saints - Most realistic outside of SD.
Cardinals - Another fit I could see.
49'ers - No.

BasX · Mar 9, 2009

haha blots

Mamba · Mar 9, 2009

BasX said: ↑

haha blots
Click to expand...

BasX · Mar 9, 2009

San Diego Chargers Powder Blue Blots Backers

check the top left of the top

Mamba · Mar 9, 2009

LOL.

Who the fuck picked that terrible headline.

San Diego "Super" Chargers!

BasX · Mar 9, 2009

Pwnt.

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L.T. done in S.D.? Where he might wind up

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