End of era: Tomlinson released by Chargers
Posted by Gayle Saunders on February 23, 2010 · Leave a Comment
By Gayle Saunders
The San Diego Chargers have now officially done what many knew they would do at some point this offseason: They released running back LaDainian Tomlinson, the most decorated football player in their team’s history. He was told by team president Dean Spanos on Monday afternoon.
In his nine seasons with the Chargers, Tomlinson made the Pro Bowl five times and was first-team All-NFL three times, while rushing for 12,490 yards — good enough for eighth most in NFL history. His 138 rushing touchdowns are second-best all time, while he ranks No. 9 in league history with 16,445 yards from scrimmage.
Tomlinson won the AP MVP award in 2006 after a season which saw him set an NFL record with 31 total touchdowns and 186 points scored.
In the last two seasons, Tomlinson numbers significantly declined — which isn’t too rare for running backs once they get around the age of 30 (which he currently is). His yards per carry sank to a career-low 3.3 in 2009. He did score 12 touchdowns, but his role had become little more than a short-yardage back. His 730 yards was almost 400 lower than his previous low (1,110 in 2008), and his abillity to affect the passing game also diminished– at one time he was once a major threat.
The Chargers have Darren Sproles to take LaDanian’s spot in the backfield, however Darren Sproles is a restricted free agent in line for a big pay raise, San Diego will now have to decide his fate. Even if the Chargers retain Sproles, his small frame makes it most likely that they get him a bigger back to shoulder the between-the-tackles workload. Sproles is a big-play threat on outside runs and in the receiving and return games.
Tomlinson has been a class act and he will one day be enshrined in the Hall of Fame as probably the best player in Chargers history. He’ll be looking for work outside San Diego just two years removed from being arguably the best player in the NFL.
Declining Returns
LaDainian Tomlinson had his MVP season in 2006 when he set NFL single-season records with 31 touchdowns and 186 points. Since then, it has been downhill.
Season Yards Per Game
2006 113.4*
2007 92.1
2008 69.4
2009 52.1
*Career high