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The San Diego Chargers released running back LaDainian Tomlinson Monday afternoon.
Tomlinson played nine seasons in San Diego, but at the age of 30 and with declining numbers, Tomlinson has been anticipating his release for the past month.
"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," Chargers president Dean Spanos said in a statement. "Change involving great players is never easy. I respect L.T. 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."
Tomlinson ranks eighth on the all-time rushing list with 12,490 yards. His 138 career rushing touchdowns rank second, and his 153 total touchdowns rank third.
He was the NFL's MVP in 2006, when he set NFL single-season records with 31 touchdowns and 186 points. Tomlinson won the NFL's rushing title in 2006 and '07.
A former first-round pick, Tomlinson rushed for only 730 yards in 14 games last season and had a 3.3-yard rushing average. He struggled on first down during the Chargers playoff loss to the New York Jets.
Still, the Tomlinson years were some of the best in Chargers history. Tomlinson established himself as a star during a rookie season in 2001 when he rushed for 1,236 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. His ability to run, make big plays and score touchdowns helped allow quarterbacks Drew Brees and Philip Rivers to develop into Pro Bowl stars.
The Chargers reworked Tomlinson's contract last offseason to give him one more chance to re-establish himself as a top running back. He was scheduled to get a $2 million bonus in March and a $3 million base salary under the restructured contract.
Where to now? A few coaches and teams wouldn mind having him.
Tomlinson played nine seasons in San Diego, but at the age of 30 and with declining numbers, Tomlinson has been anticipating his release for the past month.
"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," Chargers president Dean Spanos said in a statement. "Change involving great players is never easy. I respect L.T. 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."
Tomlinson ranks eighth on the all-time rushing list with 12,490 yards. His 138 career rushing touchdowns rank second, and his 153 total touchdowns rank third.
He was the NFL's MVP in 2006, when he set NFL single-season records with 31 touchdowns and 186 points. Tomlinson won the NFL's rushing title in 2006 and '07.
A former first-round pick, Tomlinson rushed for only 730 yards in 14 games last season and had a 3.3-yard rushing average. He struggled on first down during the Chargers playoff loss to the New York Jets.
Still, the Tomlinson years were some of the best in Chargers history. Tomlinson established himself as a star during a rookie season in 2001 when he rushed for 1,236 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. His ability to run, make big plays and score touchdowns helped allow quarterbacks Drew Brees and Philip Rivers to develop into Pro Bowl stars.
The Chargers reworked Tomlinson's contract last offseason to give him one more chance to re-establish himself as a top running back. He was scheduled to get a $2 million bonus in March and a $3 million base salary under the restructured contract.
Where to now? A few coaches and teams wouldn mind having him.
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Replies: 16
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I'm sure someone will take a chance on him but on available evidence he's completely washed up.
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30 is a big age for a running back alright, injuries hasnt helped him in the last 2 years. Sproles will carry a lot of the workload next year for the Chargers and they must be aiming for a running back in the off season.
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welcome to oakland
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Heh, does scream out as a classic Al Davis move but Dan Snyder also has a penchant for washed up free agents and Billy Bellycheck signed Corey Dillon at 30 after a crappy 2003 season with Cincy.
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Interesting ,.............................................. Interesting .
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past it. could still do a job but whats the point paying some superstar to do that job when there are probably 50 other guys who would do just as much for alot less money.
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cannot see Snyder spending megabucks on Tomlinson,already got Portis who is a couple of years younger,looks like the Raiders for me but will he want to play there?
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Tbh i wouldnt mind seeing him as a chiefs, spelling jamaal charles. Charles will be a star next season and would be a nice old head to bring him on more and help out in certain situations.
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SM 22 Feb 23:28
Heh, does scream out as a classic Al Davis move but Dan Snyder also has a penchant for washed up free agents and Billy Bellycheck signed Corey Dillon at 30 after a crappy 2003 season with Cincy. It's not just one bad season though - it's two, two years where he's looked completely shot. And at this stage, the clock killer had about 1100 carries less - that's 3-4 season's difference. They might have been the same age, but Dillon was in much better physical shape. |
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Bryan Westbrook has been released this evening as well.
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:0 Westbrook has been a legend for the Eagles, done so much for the offence when fit in the past. Suppose its time to move on now though
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His knee is apparently stuffed. Resembles a 10,000 piece jigsaw set from what I've heard.
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Not much sentiment in US sports which is good to see, just as the Michael Owen for England'sWC squad momentum gets underway.
I think i prefer the US way. Thx for the memories LT, but the beautiful game waits for no man. |
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new england his next home?
they need a RB of note |
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amazing how quickly things can change. westbrook was arguably the best player in the league not that long ago.
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Houston or Minnesota I think.
He is better catching out of the backfield now than as a pure runner. |