Word on the Street: Chargers Give Tomlinson Final Offer

On Thursday, LaDainian Tomlinson sounded optimistic about returning to the Chargers, a team he'd given eight years and almost 12,000 rushing yards.

A day later, things seem less certain, even if it's all speculative at this point.

Via Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune:

Information is coming in this saga like water from a drippy faucet. But my understanding is that Tomlinson has the Chargers' final offer.

That offer could be for two years or three years. Whatever it is, it will be for less money than the $24 million he is scheduled to make by 2011. What form the new money takes (signing bonus, roster bonus, incentives) is not known.

Acee also writes that Tomlinson's mom, on the radio earlier this week, sounded unconvinced that here son would be in San Diego when the 2009 season started. LdT was scheduled to make nearly $7 million next year, and no matter where he ends up, his '09 salary won't approach that number.

Ultimately, it's all up to Tomlinson; does he want to take a pay cut to stay with the Chargers? Or refuse, likely get released, and see what the market will bear for a 29-year-old running back coming off back-to-back seasons that ended in injury?

The former option appears to make the most sense, but these situations are often more complicated than they seem. (Well, unless we're talking about Terrell Owens; then they're exactly as they seem.) The Chargers, as they're currently constituted, would have a huge hole at running back without Tomlinson; Darren Sproles is a third-down, change-of-pace back, and Jacob Hester is more blocker than runner.

That doesn't mean San Diego couldn't target the position in the draft, just that from the vantage point of March 6, Tomlinson is the most attractive alternative. But again, with one huge caveat: how much money is he willing to give up to stay?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-07-2009 @ 11:50AM

nexxtlevell said...

I aint a Chargers fan but I do think Sproles is the better of the 2. Just my opinion

3-07-2009 @ 5:22PM

JHoevers said...

You are crazy to think Sproles is better than Tomlinson. Chargers had thier best year ever with Tomlinson carrying the ball. Chargers problem is at Head Coach. They will be a 2-14 team without LT.

3-07-2009 @ 5:38PM

YouFaceTheTick said...

Yeah Blame norv. He's only turned rivers into a top 5 QB (with zero receiving talent around him) and led the team to 2 more play off victories than they'd had in almost 15 years. Yeah, but Norv's the problem. lol

LT had a lackluster 2007 (1400 yards rushing led the league, which says how bad the running was in 2007) and last year LT was going down from ankle tackles. He can't cut, has no burst and quite often he's now shying away from contact. He was a fabulous back once. But last year he barely broke 1100 yards and had 3 leg injuries with in 2008. 3. Knee in the playoffs, toe all season in 2008 and then groin before the end of 2008. The dude was ridden hard for 7+ years and the miles are starting show. 3 leg injuries in a 12 month span portends a future of problems on a back nearing 30.

If he takes 3-4 million, keep him. anything more and trade him for a 4th round pick. Maybe the chargers can pick up an inside linebacker (they need one desperately) or a DE (they don't have anyone decent at the spot).

3-07-2009 @ 12:02PM

svetahor said...

With 8 years wear and tear, Tomlinson is very near the end. Tough choice for San Diego. He would be worth the money if, and only if, he can perform at the all-pro level. If not, what a bust.

Another team? Worth the chance. Might get an all-pro season out of him. Might get a bust, too.

With an 8-year running back, it's like gambling. Do you feel lucky this season?

3-07-2009 @ 1:39PM

smedinah said...

LT has been an inspiration to the fans of San Diego, I believe he still has at least two very productive years ahead of him, at the very least other teams will be distracted by his presence on the field. Charger management should do right thing and keep him you owe it to us the fans.

3-07-2009 @ 5:43PM

The fans want wins. Winning cures all. LT does not = wins. LT last year was ineffective and given his mileage and age, he'll probably be fairly worthless in 2009 too.

Some myopic fans get all sentimental about players but the reality is, winning clubs dump old, busted players and keep their cap numbers in order with a deep roster. Do you think the Pats or Colts would pay LT 7 million a year? No way. They'd drop him. Ask Edge and Dillion how much respect the Colts and Pats management has for expensive, broken down players.

So if SD wants to be a team that wins, they do what's best:

A. Cut his contract and use the money for more depth at needed positions (ILB, DE and WR - cut Bust Davis please).
or
B. Trade him for a 3rd or 4th (more likely) round pick and hopefully a conditional.

3-07-2009 @ 2:11PM

michael said...

1) o-line was terrible last year & he still got yards, 2) he wants a super bowl, afc west has best chance 3) he still has gas in the tank ! LT,one more year !! PLEASE! :)

3-07-2009 @ 5:44PM

O-line allowed a busted, easy-down RB to get 1100 yards and a QB to throw for 4000 yards. The line wasn't the problem. LT was slow to hit holes, went down when people were near him and he couldn't cut. The line wasn't the problem. LT had much worse lines his first 3-4 seasons and he played far better.

3-07-2009 @ 5:23PM

lakergregg said...

To the author,
Dude enough already your use of LdT instead of LT ain't never gonna catch on.
Besides LaDainian being an LT his mom is an LT and his wife is an LT.
Can your crackhead LT say that?

3-07-2009 @ 7:43PM

gernjewels24 said...

Let him go and watch how many times Rivers gets nailed...LT still has to be checked on defensively...the play action pass was a vital role in Rivers 4000 yds passing, and LT presents and blocking was a big part of that. Of course his numbers aren't what they were (due to injuries, an offensive gameplan that understood his limitations last year, etc.) But like I said other teams have to gameplan for this man who not long ago ran all over the damn place!!! So let him go and see what happens....

3-07-2009 @ 7:50PM

To give sproles Franchise $$$ was insane...He's the one who should've been sign to a moderate 3 year contract...he is definately an NFL talent, and earned a spot on the roster; but to pay him 3 times more than your future Hall of Famer is both backstabbing and retarded. I can just see how productive little Darrin is after 3 seasons with the big boys!!! If he makes it!!!

3-08-2009 @ 12:26AM

Backstabbing? It's a job. You people who think organizations should be "loyal" to players really need to get with the concept that players do this for a living and companies employ those players to generate revenue.

3-07-2009 @ 7:53PM

nexxtlevell, your opinion is beyond stupid!!!but you are entitled to it...of course, that's just MY opinion...

3-08-2009 @ 12:24PM

JFCJR said...

It would be great to see LT land in Denver. We would be "ahead" of the game just by not having to defend him twice a year!

PS: Norv is a "broke-dick". The Chargers will never win a championship with him at the controls. It's just another NFL example of the "Peter Principle".....

3-08-2009 @ 2:33PM

You're right YouFacethetick....backstabbing NEVER goes on at the workplace....c'mon dude...and by the way, speaking of revenue...the sad-ass chargers front office will be paying (I mean over-paying) Sproles with the revenue $$$ from the sales of all those LT Jerseys...think about it...later bro.

3-09-2009 @ 12:08AM

etienne said...

Best thing for him to do is just stay with his current team. He shouldn't tarnish in legacy playing for another team like Favre did.

3-09-2009 @ 11:05AM

cantstopdrinkin said...

Anyone else see the article about Drew Brees tryin to get him to come to NO? - http://www.fannation.com/aggregated_articles/71?source_id=3860&sport_id=1&team=New-Orleans-Saints .
I know it doesnt make much sense because the Saints are salary cap strapped but its fun to imagine LT and Brees reuniting in an offense like that....

3-09-2009 @ 1:20PM

blackroseMD1 said...

We really need to keep LT. Everyone keeps saying how he had a down year last year, and he did, but being injured most of the year and still getting 1100 yards...for most RBs 1100 yards is a great season. If LT stays, I could see him getting 1700 yards and 18-20 TDs if he stays healthy next year. I love Sproles, but LT is the main man.

3-09-2009 @ 10:28PM

Gary H said...

If the Charger's give-up on L.T. they can kiss the 2009-10 goodbye! Sproles or who ever they draft will not fill that hole. Their offensive line is in transition and without L.T. they will be forced to throw 40 time plus every game. No team in the NFL can win by just throwing the ball. A running game is a must to keep teams honest on defense. The better a team can run the football the more games you win. However, if the Spanos Family has already given-up on San Diego for Los angeles, then it doesn't make any difference who is on the team.

3-10-2009 @ 5:33AM

Andrew said...

Yes LT is starting to age but he still has a good year or maybe 2 left in the tank. He just needs his line to block for him like how they did in years past we all must admit they have not blocked like how they did in 2006 and before that.

Yes Norv has turned Rivers into a top 5 QB he was a 4th overall pick he should be among the elite, it just amazes me he didnt make the pro bowl. But the numbers are low for LT in years past cause of, (the obvious) injury, like i mentioned the lack of blocking and also Norv brings the West Coast offence in is mainly a passing offence NOT a running offence. It focuses on short passes and screens and its makes a back do alot more then just run the ball which means running throwing recieving and blocking. Marty Schottenhimer was a hard nosed running offence which is why LT has had "disappointing" seasons since Norv cam to San Diego.

The problem lays in Mangagement AJ Smith is ruining everything, got rid of Schottenhimer after a 14-2 season, let got micheal turner last year, and has never tried for any significant free agent signings.