Here's a conversation that I'm pretty sure nobody was having 12 months ago: maybe the Chargers should get rid of LaDainian Tomlinson.
LdT suffered a groin injury last week, and there's a great chance he'll miss today's AFC Divisional game against the Steelers. But beyond this season, Tomlinson, who turns 30 in June, will carry a huge salary-cap hit for '09, and NFL.com's Adam Schefter lays out the possible implications for the rest of the team.
Tomlinson is scheduled to count $8.97 million against San Diego's salary cap next season. But if they traded or released Tomlinson, the Chargers would free up $6.725 million worth of salary-cap space – quite a bit for a team that would like to re-sign free-agent-to-be RB Darren Sproles and also will try to re-sign its QB, Philip Rivers, to a long-term extension.Without Rivers, the Chargers are just another team, but let's be honest: it's a two-way street. A solid rushing attack sets up play action, and when San Diego has struggled to run, they've struggled to matriculate the ball down the field.
Accepting that, the question becomes: can the Chargers continue to be successful without Tomlinson, a guy who averaged nearly 1,500 rushing yards per season? Yeah, sure. It happens every season: a Pro-Bowl back gets injured, and the next guy on the depth chart steps up and performs well.
That's not to say that San Diego should just sign Sproles to a long-term deal and expect nothing to change; LdT is a special talent, and when healthy, he does things nobody else can. But given his salary and injury concerns, it might be more economical to devote those salary-cap dollars to other parts of the roster. That's A.J. Smith's burden to bear.
Something else to consider: once NFL running backs reach 30 they typically start the slow descent into mediocrity. Also: Schefter, in talking with some league personnel types, suggests that the Chargers might expect a third-rounder for Tomlinson should they try to trade him.
I have no idea what to think about that -- the Pats duped the Raiders into taking a fourth-round pick for Randy Moss -- but the fact that we're talking about it reinforces the point that, more than any other position, running backs are fungible. Even ones destined for the Hall of Fame.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-11-2009 @ 12:47PM
Brian said...
This time last year, they were saying the same thing. Keep Michael Turner and get rid of LT. Unless AJ is extremely stupid, LT is going to finish his career as a Charger. If he comes back healthy next year, a backfield of LT and Sproles would be awesome. LT isn't going anywhere.
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1-11-2009 @ 1:47PM
imapatsfan said...
I'm sure the Pats would love to have LT for a third round pick. They could teach him some class!
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1-11-2009 @ 2:00PM
bgbeej said...
class? LT is classier than anyone on the Pats. just plays east of Pittsburgh so no one really knows him. Pats would trade 3 rd round pick for LT and a camcorder.
1-11-2009 @ 2:05PM
Adam said...
One "bad year" (he still got 1100 yards) means he should be cut? He's one of the best players ever, and unless his injuries carry over to next year, I see no reason to release him. As good as Sproles is, I'd still take LDT over him.
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1-11-2009 @ 2:36PM
matt said...
Sproles would not have been as successful now had he have to tot the load all season. this has become a two back system the better the two the better. thats what did dallas in barber going down and jones hurt for the year LT could be like Barry better with age. And I would try to get at least a 2 nd round and something to boot from a contender that needs that special piece.
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1-11-2009 @ 3:07PM
Larry said...
LT and the Chargers are about washed up for this season but get a good blocker for him , get Merriamn back with some better pass defenders and the team would be awesome next year. Sproiles has been a great asset so somebody please keep AJ Smith away from him so he doesn't trade him like the trades he made last year. They need to get Jackson,Gates & Chambers into the game plan more.
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1-12-2009 @ 10:13PM
I Luv LT said...
LT is a one-of-a-kind player...and he this year didn't go as well as all Charger fans hoped. The Offensive line was too busy protecting Rivers and not blocking for the run game - that's why LT didn't get his yardage. He is a class act - on and off the field. He was the first of many building blocks of the Charger team we have today. To trade him would be a huge mistake! If there's any change that needs to be made on that team it might be Norv Turner. He supposedly has a great offensive mind? Whatever - did anyone else watch the play calling at Pittsburgh? That was horrible. LT will always be my MVP!
1-11-2009 @ 6:08PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
They needed to trade him last year. Now everybody knows he's damaged goods.
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1-11-2009 @ 8:42PM
Wayne said...
LT is the ARod of the NFL. The Chargers will be better off without him.
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1-11-2009 @ 11:01PM
JR said...
The Chargers need to make many a move...Norv Turner perhaps? That was such an embarassing excuse for a football team today.
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1-12-2009 @ 4:38AM
impressed said...
Only a third-round pick for LT? He has to be washed up then. If not, a team would give up a late first for him. Two years after winning MVP, his team doesn't want him. Shades of Shaun Alexander. Twilight Time for LT.
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1-12-2009 @ 8:10PM
bolts4ever said...
I think the Chargers need to improve their O line first of all-it was a pathetic display yesterday. LT, if he can come back healthy, is too awesome to lose!!
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