Well it would appear that San Diego Chargers’ owner Dean Spanos and General Manager A J Smith have come to the conclusion that the team’s Pro Bowl running back LaDainian Tomlinson is no longer a prerequisite to the team’s needs. Bearing that in mind the player’s presence in the postseason was negligible at best. It is believed to be the only alternative that the team has but to release or trade him.
LaDainian Tomlinson on the sidelines looking on in the game between the San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Tom McCaffrey …………….
If anything it’d be in their best interest to trade or release the player if that is their conviction at this juncture. And in all probability they would still be able to garner a first or second draft pick for the player if not more. He’s still productive albeit that he may not viewed as explosive at this point in his career. Upon his introduction and entrance to the NFL the player himself has been one of the most productive , if not the best running back to have graced the league over the past decade. LaDainian has let it be known that he’ll abide by whatever decision is made by management. Tomlinson has also stated that he would let the fans know of the progress being made via his personal website. So with baited breath the football world awaits the outcome.
Dean Spanos (left) the owner of the San Diego Chargers seen here with Arizona Cardinals President Michael Bidwill at the Cardinals’ training facility. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Tom Bowyer ………………..
There’ll no doubt be a number of teams out there vying for the player’s services who are in need of someone of his renowned status. But the caveat here is that he’s no longer the player who was once considered to be the most explosive and prodigious running back in the league. Injuries as of late have hindered his productivity. And also his leadership qualities have come into question. There’ve been no conflicts between he and the coach Norv Turner, or with management or in fact his teammates at large. But it may well be that Smith and Spanos feel that it is now time in another direction and that they don’t need Tomlinson at the helm to lead the team’s ground attack.
Chargers’ running back Darren Sproles tries to evade the tackle of Steelers’ linebacker Patrick Bailey during their team’s postseason meeting. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Tom McCaffrey ………………….
If anything they may well feel that the productivity and resourcefulness shown by Darren Sproles in the playoffs . And his play in the last game of the regular season against the Denver Broncos was enough of an indication that may well have a ready made replacement . As to the Chargers’ fans this may not be something that they want to hear from the ownership at this juncture. However with the loss of defensive stalwart Shawne Merriman due to injury early in the season things went downhill for the team. They were able to regroup and were it not for the sheer incompetency shown and the meltdown by the Denver Broncos. We may not have been talking of the San Diego Chargers as the winners of the AFC West , much less them making the playoffs. But such was the ineptitude shown and lack of quality within the division that in many respects one can view that they won it by default. The Oakland Raiders were laughable , the Kansas City Chiefs struggled to show some consistency . And as alluded to earlier the Denver Broncos in the end cost Mike Shanahan his job with their season ending meltdown.
Norv Turner looks down at the playbook during the divisional round playoff game against Pittsburgh. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Tom McCaffrey ………………..
As to what awaits Tomlinson is now most definitely open to conjecture and a great deal of debate. But if the rumblings and rumors are said to be true then it is quite believable that the player will be leaving the franchise as some time in the near future. His destination could be anywhere in the league and there’ll be no doubt a great of interest shown by a number of teams around the NFL. As to the player’s own choices that is something that we know nothing of. But in all likelihood he may well prefer to remain on out on the West Coast. But I for one believe that if the right offer came along he may well look to the east as to where his fortunes may lie. So let the chips fall where they may and let’s see what’ll transpire for not only Tomlinson but also for the San Diego Chargers themselves. If nothing else this off season could well be a very interesting one leading up to the NFL draft.
