If you think that Tomlinson’s best days are behind him, you certainly aren’t alone.
SAN DIEGO (AP)—LaDainian Tomlinson says he believes he has played his last game with the San Diego Chargers.
The running back told The San Diego Union-Tribune on Thursday that he has thought for a while he would be let go by the Chargers.
The NFL’s most valuable player in 2006 has two years remaining on his contract. He is due a $2 million roster bonus March 5 and would be paid $5 million in total salary in 2010.
You didn’t need to watch the Jets beat the Chargers in the playoffs to know that Tomlinson is finished; you could have gleamed that simply by watching him run the ball this season. LT wound up with a 3.3 yard-per-carry average this year, which anyone will tell you is pretty atrocious. He’s set to make a lot of money next season, so it makes sense for the Chargers to let him go and draft a running back (sorry, Sproles isn’t an every-down back).
It’s nice to see some self-awareness on the part of Tomlinson. Sure, he has been known to sulk from time to time, but he really comes off as a pretty classy guy – no off-field problems, ever – and has given the Chargers years of incredible production. He’s one of the best ever at his position, but nobody can run away from age and bodily wear and tear.
My prediction: part of the Patriots’ backfield committee.
