'Other' Chargers RB, Darren Sproles, Might Want Long-Term Deal

Once again, we've lost sight of Darren Sproles. The Chargers franchised the 5-foot-6, 180-pounder earlier this offseason, and then everyone naturally turned their attention to the other running back.

LaDainian Tomlinson has suffered through injury-plagued seasons and the scuttlebutt had San Diego either trying to move him or, at the very least, make him take a pay cut. The latter seems like a distinct possibility, which is great news for LdT fans, but there's still the issue of what the organization plans to do with Sproles beyond 2009.

The fact that ... Sproles has not signed his franchise tender could mean he is planning on sitting out the offseason -- or least much of it -- unless he gets a long-term contract.

This would not be an act of defiance. It would be an act of preservation. If Sproles were to sign the tender, he is compelled to be at minicamp and training camp. And, sure, he'd be guaranteed his $6.6 million. But nothing more. (If he's not under contract, he could work at minicamp but not training camp, but that doesn't mean he will work at the May minicamp.)

It's not a huge problem for the Chargers; players refuse to sign their franchise tenders every spring -- and into the summer -- only to relent sometime during August. And it's all because of one simple fact: the teams have all the leverage. Yes, ideally, players would participate in all the offseason workouts, but if the choice is to have Sproles miss May minicamps or the '09 season, well, it becomes a pretty easy decision for San Diego.

This isn't to say Sproles doesn't deserve a long-term deal, just that taking a mandatory break from football between now and training camp won't have much bearing on whether it eventually happens.