LaDainian Tomlinson released, Thomas Jones next?
by CoachConnors on Feb 22, 2010 4:37 PM CST
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PrintLaDainian Tomlinson was released by the San Diego Chargers today. He owns or shares in 28 Chargers records, won two NFL league rushing titles, set an NFL record for single-season touchdowns and was a league MVP in 2006. You don't get all those records without racking up a lot of miles, though...7 miles to be exact (12,490 yards), and he turns 31 years old in June.
If you don't know by now, 30 is considered old for an NFL running back. Although he was pretty fired up for this season, and seemed to have a new determination to come back and have a strong year, his on the field results fell a little short of expectations with only 730 rushing yards on a 3.3 yards per carry average.
Thomas Jones is already 31 and is due a $3,000,000 roster bonus on March 9. If the Jets don't want to pay that much for a 31 year old, which seems very possible, they will likely release him.
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News because it has been suggested by others that the Rams look at LT
I’m not of that opinion, but these two guys were work horses for their teams and I could see where guys might want the Rams to take a look. They looked at older linemen last year, even signing one…so who knows.
by CoachConnors on Feb 22, 2010 5:03 PM CST up reply actions
I wouldn't be against the Rams taking a look at him
I personally thought he’d have a better season this year, but he seems like he could still be a situational threat.
Not like we have an offensive powerhouse anyway.
But if he did go to another team, I’m sure he’d go for a winner.
The House of Spears reigns supreme
I think both these guys are decent blockers who know how the game works
So maybe a situational role would allow them to be effective in short shifts. I don’t know that they would be happy settling for that, but the Rams could probably do worse than them for backups, even if they don’t have a lot of tread left.
by CoachConnors on Feb 22, 2010 5:24 PM CST up reply actions
Someone will sign him, I'm sure
Many variables but I bet he plays somewhere next year
by CoachConnors on Feb 22, 2010 5:08 PM CST up reply actions
I think L.T. is over the hill.
Thomas Jones might be an interesting guy to back up SJ if he would be interested in that and willing to take the salary level that goes with it.
I think you're right
and what convinced me was seeing him do a couple of TV interviews last yearand he was very fired up, very motivated…so when he fell short this year, I knew he was done.
Still, the Rams need a backup RB and it was suggested by someone that they take a look at him. Hell, they signed Hollis Thomas last year and he was done too. You never know.
by CoachConnors on Feb 22, 2010 5:06 PM CST up reply actions
I agree-and
If LT could squeez out some more productive miles the better (I liked the way Hollis stuffed the Dline) but he had to go to make room for another need, to bad.
My issue is cost
LT is going to demand a stupidly overpaid contract, and someone will give it to him just because he’s LT. If he’s willing to be reasonable (which I’m absolutely sure he’s agent will prevent), then sure, toss an offer at him.
You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.
I kind of thought that about Marvin Harrison
because his play didn’t really drop off all that noticably and places like Scout.com had him rated highly as a free agent. I was very wrong, and Marv couldn’t get a job.
by CoachConnors on Feb 22, 2010 5:32 PM CST up reply actions
His agent will see-
The unemployment line is veeeery long for RB’s that age and with injury histories, that I think he will want to give another shot where he is not the featured back. May something like that would help both SJax AND LT.
Why Thomas Jones may not be resigned
I think the Jets effectively replaced Thomas Jones last season when they drafted Shonn Greene in the 3rd round.
After Leon Washington was hurt at the Oakland game (oh it was ugly), they pressed Greene into service and he clearly outplayed Thomas Jones in the playoffs. The Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum says they will “definitely” tender a contract offer to Washington, who is a RFA. Why do they need Thomas Jones?
Wildcard Game vs Bengals:
Jones: 15 carries for 34 yards, 1 TD
Greene: 21 carries for 135 yards, 1 TD
Divisional Game vs Chargers:
Jones: 14 carries for 41 yards, 0 TDs
Greene: 23 carries for 128 yards, 1 TD
Conference Game vs Colts:
Jones: 16 carries for 42 yards, 0 TDs
Greene: 10 carries for 41 yards, 0 TDs
LT
already said he will only consider a team that is going to make a playoff run so he’s already crossed us of the list. I do like the idea of Thomas Jones backing up SJ39 though
If I had my choice of the two to the compliment to Jackson.
I’d pick Jones.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
I don't think he's going to have a real long list to choose from
He’s already 31.
by CoachConnors on Feb 22, 2010 10:08 PM CST up reply actions
He's still coming off a 331 carry, 1400 yard, 14 TD season
I think a lot of teams would be interested in him as a number 2 back.
Those yards sound nice, but that many carries...definitely not a plus
Someone will probably hire him, though. He’s a warrior.
by CoachConnors on Feb 22, 2010 10:37 PM CST up reply actions
I thought his YPG may have dropped at the end of the season
Which would have been good for him but that is not the case. If it was a case of wear and tear, being a backup would be perfect for him. But that’s not the case now that I looked at month by month splits. But that doesn’t mean he won’t be better in a backup role. Steven Davis did a decent job for us when he was 32 with over 4 yards a carry on 40 carries. I think Jones could do better than that.
Julius Peppers
Julius……..Peppers>>>>>>>>>>>Go get ‘em Rams!!! Then, a couple DE’s in draft with one more impact OLB!!!
I bet Rams surprise in Free Agency
I bet Rams surprise with draft picks too.
Why the surprises?
It’s the Rams man – always a freaken surprise!!!
Peppers is going to be very expensive
As much as I’d love that talent, I don’t know that I want to be burdened with that contract in 2010.
You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.
by 3k on Feb 23, 2010 1:10 PM CST up reply actions
I would too,
since the contract would be less.
I only need three things: baseball, basketball, and football.
by Blair Rocket on Feb 24, 2010 12:30 PM CST up reply actions
X2
He may not be at Peppers level, but he would make our team much better for less money.
I’m ready for the show to begin. FA & the combine…then we wait for the draft. Much fun coming up. Can’t wait.
by RamsFan1979 on Feb 24, 2010 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
Yes, that's the problem with him,
not to mention he wants to play for a contender. When he is motivated, he is a terrific DE.
>>> Brian Westbrook Released
Westbrook is 30 and was hurt a lot the last couple of seasons. The Eagles drafted a replacement in LeSean McCoy in the 2nd round last year, and he played well enough. Not as good as Westbrook, but same kind of RB.
Assuming he is healthy enough to play.
That’s a significant issue, I think, with those two serious concussions.
Tomlinson: "I don't have to win now"
Contrary to his prior suggestion that he wants to play for a contender, Tomlinson said, “I don’t have to win now,” and that he’d be happy to join a team that’s on the rise and headed in the right direction.
Well there ya go, gents. He says he has 4 more years and would be happy going to an up and comer. (naysayers, hold your laughter)
I think he might be saying
“as the feature back”.
He might sacrifice winning, but I doubt he’d be cool with losing and being a back-up.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
That may be his desire, but he's going to have to settle in some regard.
The article made it sound (to me) as if he is the opposite of the old vet that only wants a ring. But I don’t think he’s going to get what he wants as far as his role is concerned. I certainly don’t believe he’s in any position to call his own shots or pick from a long list of teams. I believe he’s spent, and the whole NFL knows it. Except maybe for him.
I’m not advocating the Rams go get him. Just that I think if he really wants to play a key role, he may end up playing for a team that underperfoms the Rams in 2010.
by CoachConnors on Feb 25, 2010 12:58 PM CST up reply actions
I should probably rephrase what I wrote just a little.
I’m sure he’d sign on where there was another RB already in place, however St. Louis is a completely different animal. Jackson gets the strong majority of the carries, he’d really have to take a step down from where he has been used to being to sign on with the Rams.
Frankly, I don’t see it. IMO, any number of teams could guarantee him more carries than the Rams would.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
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