Jan 15 2009
Talk has already begun about LT returning in 2009
On sports-talk radio in Southern California, one of the tangential conversations about the NFL playoff picture is what to do about LaDainian Tomlinson.
One of the hosts actually used the comparison to Shaun Alexander’s situation in Seattle a couple of years ago. One of the key differences is the contract situation.
LT’s contract while big doesn’t have as long a term as Alexander’s did when the Seahawks jettisoned him. It was a stunning move to free up a roster spot at the expense of sticking with the bargain they made with the running back in the wake of his All Pro season.
LT’s deal has 2 years left on it and his running woes mirror Alexander’s. Injuries came quicker and became more severe. Attempts to play through it brought bad results for the team’s offensive success. Staying on the sideline brought derision by fans who thought he was soft and had taken the money without giving the team its value.
It’s pretty clear that the only reason LT made an appearance in the Chargers’ first playoff game against the Colts was to answer critics who had crucified him after his stoic presence on the sideline during last year’s AFC Championship game. The guy has a torn tendon and shouldn’t have been out there. He agreed after that since we never saw him again.
Is Darren Sproles the man to replace him? Maybe not but after the Chargers let go of Michael Turner and Drew Brees in the last couple of years as they helped other clubs succeed the team is concerned it will make another mistake by cutting LT.
To be continued..
