From The AP:
The San Diego Chargers released LaDainian Tomlinson yesterday, ending a brilliant nine-year run in which he became one of the NFL's greatest running backs.The move had been expected. Tomlinson, 30, was injured early last season and finished with 730 yards on 223 carries for an average of 3.3 yards per carry, all career lows.
Tomlinson was due to be paid a $2 million roster bonus in early March, which all but guaranteed that he would be cut.
Team president Dean Spanos personally told Tomlinson he would be released.
"I told him that in the 26 years that I've been in this business, it was probably the hardest thing I've had to do," Spanos said. "I'm not close to a lot of the players, but there's a handful that I've been close with, and he's probably the closest. It was really difficult to tell him. But out of respect, I wanted to tell him earlier rather than later."
Tomlinson was not immediately available for comment. He ranks eighth on the all-time rushing list with 12,490 yards. His 138 career rushing touchdowns rank second (Emmitt Smith had 164), and his 153 total touchdowns rank third (behind Jerry Rice's 208 and Smith's 175).
LaDainian Tomlinson has always been a favorite of mine going back to his days at TCU. Once in a great while you will find a truly good man with a serious work ethic that's more interested with his performance for the team than his paycheck. LaDainian is one of those guys.
Unfortunately for him, in the NFL running back is a "what have you done for me lately" position. Despite all the outstanding performances he's given San Diego, there's a younger guy standing there to take his place with out all the injuries. Much like Emmitt Smith at the end of his career, he's been made a free agent and is on the open market. Some team hurting for ticket sales will sign him purely for the draw, but he deserves better. He's earned a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl.
It really hurts to know that he's not a fit in Dallas' scheme. They already have 3 outstanding running backs. Maybe the Texans can make fit him into their gameplan. Gary Kubiak has built a team that might well make a legitimate shot at the title. LT deserves to finish his career with a Texas team and a ring. He ain't as good as he once was, but he's as good once as he ever was.
I do want to say I hope he doesn't wind up like Earl Campbell or Tony Dorsett. I've met both and it was very sad. Earl is confined to a wheelchair and Tony can barely walk.
Tomlinson was due to be paid a $2 million roster bonus in early March, which all but guaranteed that he would be cut.
Team president Dean Spanos personally told Tomlinson he would be released.
"I told him that in the 26 years that I've been in this business, it was probably the hardest thing I've had to do," Spanos said. "I'm not close to a lot of the players, but there's a handful that I've been close with, and he's probably the closest. It was really difficult to tell him. But out of respect, I wanted to tell him earlier rather than later."
Tomlinson was not immediately available for comment. He ranks eighth on the all-time rushing list with 12,490 yards. His 138 career rushing touchdowns rank second (Emmitt Smith had 164), and his 153 total touchdowns rank third (behind Jerry Rice's 208 and Smith's 175).
LaDainian Tomlinson has always been a favorite of mine going back to his days at TCU. Once in a great while you will find a truly good man with a serious work ethic that's more interested with his performance for the team than his paycheck. LaDainian is one of those guys.
Unfortunately for him, in the NFL running back is a "what have you done for me lately" position. Despite all the outstanding performances he's given San Diego, there's a younger guy standing there to take his place with out all the injuries. Much like Emmitt Smith at the end of his career, he's been made a free agent and is on the open market. Some team hurting for ticket sales will sign him purely for the draw, but he deserves better. He's earned a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl.
It really hurts to know that he's not a fit in Dallas' scheme. They already have 3 outstanding running backs. Maybe the Texans can make fit him into their gameplan. Gary Kubiak has built a team that might well make a legitimate shot at the title. LT deserves to finish his career with a Texas team and a ring. He ain't as good as he once was, but he's as good once as he ever was.
I do want to say I hope he doesn't wind up like Earl Campbell or Tony Dorsett. I've met both and it was very sad. Earl is confined to a wheelchair and Tony can barely walk.
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