Sproles' Role to Remain Unchanged

The Chargers franchised Darren Sproles on Wednesday, making him the smallest NFL player who didn't make his living kicking a football to ever receive such a distinction.* For now, he's set to make $6.6 million next season, although San Diego hopes to sign Sproles to a long-term deal.

Those negotiations, however, won't have any bearing on the organization's dealings with its other running back, LaDainian Tomlinson. Earlier this offseason, speculation had LdT playing elsewhere in '09, but it looks like he'll stay in San Diego -- he'll just need to take a pay cut.

At some point over the next five days, likely by the end of the weekend, they will meet with the agent for Tomlinson to present their terms of a restructured contract.

The team determined months ago that it could not go forward with Tomlinson making his 2009 salary of $6.725 million, which carries an $8.79 million cap number because of the prorated portion of his 2004 signing bonus.

In addition to the running backs -- which general manager A.J. Smith admits, "the whole thing starts with [Sproles and Tomlinson] ... from there it trickles down to all sorts of stuff" -- the Chargers also hope to strike new deals with quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates.

Even if Tomlinson doesn't end up in San Diego next season (it seems unlikely, but just in the event it happens) the San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee writes that Norv Turner will continue to use Sproles as a third-down, change-of-pace back, as well as a special teams ace-in-the-hole.

That sounds about right, even at $6.6 million. Sproles is a game-changer, and he doesn't need 30 touches to do it. A punt return or a quick screen is often all it takes. Plus, at 5-foot-7, 180 pounds, there's no reason to subject him to the punishment an every-down back might face. Over the long haul, it benefits no one -- just ask LdT.

* probably not true