Chargers to release LT??????

[SacKings7]

Link

Obviously this is pure speculation, but they better not do this. Sproles had a good year but the Steelers knew how to shut him down.

I also read somewhere that they're thinking about releasing Merriman as well. If they release EITHER of them, I'm gonna be extremely disappointed with that franchise. Especially after their D went from borderline great the last few years to god-awful this year with Merriman missing.

 

[Superman]

I sincerely doubt that either of those happen. I could see them trying to trade LT, which isn't the worst idea in the world. He's a very accomplished back, but the days of the one back, every down runner are over in the NFL, and he's 30 years old. They could get a good group of picks for LT, and if you have a good group of running backs (see: NY Giants, Panthers, Ravens), you can win a lot of games. You no longer need an elite back.

I don't think you'll see Merriman going anywhere, primarily for the reasons you mentioned. He's their game changing defensive player, one of the most dynamic in the NFL.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

LdT (sorry, LT is taken) is done. It was a big mistake letting Turner go as Turner and Sproles would have been a good combo for years to come.

Maybe he will rebound, but he's at the age where most stud running backs hit the wall and fall off dramatically, and he's in worse shape than the average because he was forced to carry the team all those years and constantly broke down by the end of the season. He watched the Chargers season end the last two seasons from the sidelines which doesn't help his trade value.

 

[SacKings7]

LdT (sorry, LT is taken) is done. It was a big mistake letting Turner go as Turner and Sproles would have been a good combo for years to come.

Maybe he will rebound, but he's at the age where most stud running backs hit the wall and fall off dramatically, and he's in worse shape than the average because he was forced to carry the team all those years and constantly broke down by the end of the season. He watched the Chargers season end the last two seasons from the sidelines which doesn't help his trade value.

Yeah I was disappointed when they let Turner go. I knew he'd be a great back (although not as great as he has been). I understood the decision however because they had Sproles waiting in the wings, and they actually used the 3 of them in Turner's last season.

And I really hope LT isn't done. It was a shame to see what happened to Priest Holmes and others.

And Superman, I think the issue with Merriman is that he's a free agent pretty soon. Not 100% sure on that though.

 

[BMiller52]

49ers could use both of them. LT would get healthy with Gore as the #1 guy. Seriously. We could put Merriman opposite of Haralson if he's healthy and finally have that needed passrusher.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

LT would get healthy with Gore as the #1 guy.

Of course, but that brings up two questions:
1) Would the 49ers pay 8.9 million for a #2 RB?
2) If he was going to renegotiate or be cut and ultimately play for less (and as a #2 at that) don't you think he'd go to a team with a better chance to win? Pats would presumably be out since they are not "classy", maybe the Colts who appear to have soured on Addai?

Plus the 9ers need to save their resources for the Matt Cassel sweepstakes

 

[BMiller52]

Of course, but that brings up two questions:
1) Would the 49ers pay 8.9 million for a #2 RB?
2) If he was going to renegotiate or be cut and ultimately play for less (and as a #2 at that) don't you think he'd go to a team with a better chance to win? Pats would presumably be out since they are not "classy", maybe the Colts who appear to have soured on Addai?

Plus the 9ers need to save their resources for the Matt Cassel sweepstakes

lol We aren't taking Cassel. I'd just take LT if he was cut though. We could use a running back to go with Gore like the Jacobs/DWard thing in NY, or the Williams/Stewart thing in Carolina, or the 2 backs the Ravens have. I don't think the Colts would really try that hard for him, they might be souring on Addai right now but he is still a good young RB.

Niners have like 30 million to spend again this year in FA IF they choose to, so while we might not give LT 9 million like he's making now we could give him more than most teams. I'd rather have Merriman for sure though. And I'd rather go with Garcia for a year+a rookie or start Shaun Hill(who played just as well as Cassel) than break the bank for a QB like Cassel who had 2 probowl WRs, a hella good OL, and 2 or 3 or 4 RBs to work with.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I think LdT is going to want to be a #1 back no matter where he winds up. He isn't going to be a game breaker, but he's still got a few 1000 yd/10 td seasons in him. I think he was banged up far more than Emmit Smith was during their earlier years, but my guess is those individual achievements mean quite a bit to him which is why he doesn't seem to like playing hurt when the season is on the line.

I kid about the 9ers and Cassel, I think Minny and Carolina are the front runners with Tennessee not far behind if this season made them realize that they are better off with a traditional QB than a RB that can throw.

 

[Superman]

By the way, I don't get any indication that the Colts have soured on Addai. They're certainly not going to give up any picks in a trade for LdT, neither would be willing to pay him $9 million next season. I'm not even sure they'd try to sign him off waivers.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

A number of fan postings on the internets gave me the impression the Colts were souring on Addai, of course that counts for nothing but given how interchangeable RBs have been for Indy the past few seasons I perhaps gave it more creedence than it was worth.

 

[SacKings7]

I think LdT is going to want to be a #1 back no matter where he winds up. He isn't going to be a game breaker, but he's still got a few 1000 yd/10 td seasons in him. I think he was banged up far more than Emmit Smith was during their earlier years, but my guess is those individual achievements mean quite a bit to him which is why he doesn't seem to like playing hurt when the season is on the line.

I kid about the 9ers and Cassel, I think Minny and Carolina are the front runners with Tennessee not far behind if this season made them realize that they are better off with a traditional QB than a RB that can throw.

I think his long term health is more important to him than anything else. Whether the individual achievements are attached to that, I don't know, but I think he probably did the right thing rather than risk putting his career in jeopardy. He'll hear a lot of criticism for sitting out but the reality is that football is just a game, health is more important. And while I'm disappointed that he didn't play, I'm not going to criticize him for what he thinks is important.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Last year Rivers went out there with his knee barely attached to his leg. I know they are different positions, but fairly or unfairly that game forever changed the way I thought about both players.

 

[kingsnation]

A number of fan postings on the internets gave me the impression the Colts were souring on Addai, of course that counts for nothing but given how interchangeable RBs have been for Indy the past few seasons I perhaps gave it more creedence than it was worth.

I don't think they have been interchangeable in Indy. Edge, Addai. And that's about it. Dominic Rhodes has had some moments as a number 2 back but that's the extent of his success.

 

[kingsnation]

They could get a good group of picks for LT, and if you have a good group of running backs (see: NY Giants, Panthers, Ravens), you can win a lot of games. You no longer need an elite back.

Yep that's very true.

On top of that think about:

Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in MIA
Anybody and everybody in DEN
Anybody and everybody in NE
Marion Barber and Felix Jones in DAL
Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore in PIT

It's becoming more and more rare in the NFL just to have one every-down back. Heck, even MIN has Chester Taylor and now the Saints have Reggie Bush, Duece and Pierre Thomas.

LT I believe will most certainly find a place where he doesn't have to be a every-down back but can platoon in the backfield. (Philly anyone?? Oft-injured Westbrook, platooning with LT?? Wow.)

HOWEVER, if he wasn't going to platoon, I think he'd be a great fit in Seattle, and/or Detroit..

 

[kingsnation]

The one thing I forgot to mention was this: if LT realizes that he is indeed on the downside of his career.... he will want to win a ring. Therefore, he will probably sign where this could be a possibility, even if it means less carries. (NE, PHI, IND, etc)

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I don't think they have been interchangeable in Indy. Edge, Addai. And that's about it. Dominic Rhodes has had some moments as a number 2 back but that's the extent of his success.

Seems like it was RB by committee the first year with Rhodes and Addai, and that's why Rhodes got the huge contract with the Raiders afterwards.

Lord knows I'm not a Colts fan. I just saw a lot of blame being passed to Addai as if the 3rd and 2 play call was all his fault.

 

[SacKings7]

Yep that's very true.

On top of that think about:

Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in MIA
Anybody and everybody in DEN
Anybody and everybody in NE
Marion Barber and Felix Jones in DAL
Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore in PIT

It's becoming more and more rare in the NFL just to have one every-down back. Heck, even MIN has Chester Taylor and now the Saints have Reggie Bush, Duece and Pierre Thomas.

LT I believe will most certainly find a place where he doesn't have to be a every-down back but can platoon in the backfield. (Philly anyone?? Oft-injured Westbrook, platooning with LT?? Wow.)

HOWEVER, if he wasn't going to platoon, I think he'd be a great fit in Seattle, and/or Detroit..

You guys seem to be forgetting that the Chargers have had 2 backs for years. Turner got quite a few touches when he was a Charger behind LT, and now Sproles. They not be 50/50 in terms of carries, but it still worked out pretty good for the team.

 

[SacKings7]

Last year Rivers went out there with his knee barely attached to his leg. I know they are different positions, but fairly or unfairly that game forever changed the way I thought about both players.

Yeah I remember that. That really made Tomlinson look bad. I can't remember the injury he had last year, but he had a separated groin or something this year, plus the toe that was bothering him all year. The toe isn't an excuse to miss games, but the groin thing sure sounds bad.

 

[kingsnation]

You guys seem to be forgetting that the Chargers have had 2 backs for years. Turner got quite a few touches when he was a Charger behind LT, and now Sproles. They not be 50/50 in terms of carries, but it still worked out pretty good for the team.

Last season, LT finished with 315 carries. Turner finished with 71. Not exactly what I would call a platoon.

Turner and Sproles were only used when LT was hurt.

 

[SacKings7]

Last season, LT finished with 315 carries. Turner finished with 71. Not exactly what I would call a platoon.

Turner and Sproles were only used when LT was hurt.

Wrong. Sproles maybe, but Turner was used for short downs. I'm surprised the carry numbers were that different though.

 

[Superman]

A number of fan postings on the internets gave me the impression the Colts were souring on Addai, of course that counts for nothing but given how interchangeable RBs have been for Indy the past few seasons I perhaps gave it more creedence than it was worth.

Meh; you'd think the Kings were on the verge of cutting Kevin Martin after reading some of the posters here. How long did Chris Webber get killed before he was traded?

I'm sure the Colts don't consider Addai to be a 30 carry/game back, but they never did. A lot of people have forgotten that Addai wasn't even a starter at LSU. He's never been a horse like people want their starting running back to be.

 

[Superman]

Seems like it was RB by committee the first year with Rhodes and Addai, and that's why Rhodes got the huge contract with the Raiders afterwards.

Lord knows I'm not a Colts fan. I just saw a lot of blame being passed to Addai as if the 3rd and 2 play call was all his fault.

Rhodes was the starter that year, and Addai was the backup. Addai started in the playoffs, but it was still very much a platoon. It wasn't exactly USC's running back by committee situation, but the carries were probably 60/40 that year. Rhodes showing in the playoffs got him his contract with the Raiders, not necessarily what he did in the regular season.

It's funny, though. I was watching the game with my friend, and he's yelling at the TV asking "why did they draft Addai if he can't carry the ball!?!" Admittedly, he's not as much of a Colts fan as I am, doesn't really know all the stuff that's going on with the team, but is of the opinion that Addai is yesterday's garbage because he had a bad year. Ignores the impact of his injuries, Manning's injury, the o-line being inconsistent and young, etc. Just wants Addai gone and a new back brought in.

 

[SacKings7]

The one thing I forgot to mention was this: if LT realizes that he is indeed on the downside of his career.... he will want to win a ring. Therefore, he will probably sign where this could be a possibility, even if it means less carries. (NE, PHI, IND, etc)

This guy isn't Junior Seau. I can't see LT going to NE or Indy

 

[SacKings7]

Last year Rivers went out there with his knee barely attached to his leg. I know they are different positions, but fairly or unfairly that game forever changed the way I thought about both players.

Not to add fuel to the fire, but Cromartie just came out and said he's been playing with a broken hip since week 1.

I'm hoping that's the explanation to his drop-off in INTs this year. I wasn't expecting 15 like he predicted, but 2? And both were in the same game on Favre. Hopefully he and Merriman can get back to 100% for next season

 

[pdxKingsFan]

The knee and the groin are one thing, but now the Chargers have injured LdT's precious feelings, this may be the final straw...

"But to be treated like this, to me it just reaffirms my faith in God, to be honest with you. To let nothing bother me because of my faith in God and how far he has brought me. Because this is what man will do to you: Man will build you up and make you think that you're the greatest and that you're going to be here forever, and then man does this. Man crucifies you. ...

"I think it's ridiculous to be talking about trade and me not being here, that's just my personal opinion. I know every team has a right to make trades and all this stuff, but I just think it's ridiculous to be talking about this, to have this stuff in the media when this could be handled behind closed doors and in a professional way. Now I have people calling me, talking about this all the time; this has become a big story and I don't want this."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jim_trotter/01/14/tomlinson/index.html

I love the cucifixtion line.

 

[Superman]

I understand what he's saying, but he's being sort of primadonna here, I think. He'll be getting a call from A.J. Smith pretty soon, if he hasn't already.

 

[SacKings7]

Man this situation is not good. The Chargers may be thinking about asking LT to take a pay cut. I hope that's all that comes out of this, if anything.

I know players become FA's sometime in February, but is the NFL like the NBA in that there's a period where teams aren't allowed to sign or trade players until a certain date? Or is everything fair game as soon as the players become FA's?