Whitlock predicts LT done in SD.

[MIAdragon]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9033410/NFL-Truths:-Peyton's-a-choker,-LT-is-done-in-S.D.?MSNHPHCP&GT1=39002

7. LaDainian Tomlinson will never start another game in a San Diego uniform.



Don't expect to see L.T. donning those powder blues next season. (Denis Poroy / Associated Press)

Man, this is a bad day for me. LT and Peyton Manning are two of my favorite players, but I have to keep it real.

LT's injury saved the Chargers. With a healthy LT, Sproles never gets his chance to dominate the Colts. Darren "Seabiscuit" Sproles is an every-down back. Yes, he's small, but the Biscuit, like the legendary undersized thoroughbred, is made to run with the big dogs.

I've been watching Seabiscuit make fools of bigger men ever since he starred at Olathe North High School, 20 minutes from my home. When he signed with Kansas State, I had my doubts. He put a clown suit on me and everyone in the Big 12.

What he did to the Colts on Saturday — 328 all-purpose yards — did not surprise anyone who saw him play in high school and college. The Biscuit is off the chains.

LT should be on the trading block this offseason. He'd be a wonderful addition to the Patriots.

[DMAC]

I remember seeing Sproles at a bar up in Manhatty. I passed by him and thought to myself, "That's Darren Sproles?"

[Sure-Oz]

Reports: Vincent Jackson arrested for DUI

Multiple news outlets in San Diego report that Vincent Jackson was arrested for DUI on Tuesday morning.
10News San Diego reports that Jackson was booked by California Highway Patrol early Tuesday. News 8 says Jackson was pulled over at 4AM and released from jail hours later. NFL teams aren't really supposed to suspend players for incidents like this, but it's happened before. Still, Jackson is such an integral part of the Chargers' offense that they probably won't take action before the Divisional Round. He could serve an NFL suspension in 2009. Jan. 6 - 3:31 pm et
Source: 10News San Diego

[Buck]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

Reports: Vincent Jackson arrested for DUI

Multiple news outlets in San Diego report that Vincent Jackson was arrested for DUI on Tuesday morning.
10News San Diego reports that Jackson was booked by California Highway Patrol early Tuesday. News 8 says Jackson was pulled over at 4AM and released from jail hours later. NFL teams aren't really supposed to suspend players for incidents like this, but it's happened before. Still, Jackson is such an integral part of the Chargers' offense that they probably won't take action before the Divisional Round. He could serve an NFL suspension in 2009. Jan. 6 - 3:31 pm et
Source: 10News San Diego

Yup, thats been hitting the airwaves all day.

I don't think the NFL will discipline him, but I doubt he gets a start in the game. Wouldn't be surprised if he gets benched for the first drive.

[DJJasonp]

It really wouldnt surprise me. I have a hunch he's not well liked in the locker room either.

LT is the biggest "me-first" guy outside of Dallas....watching him strain to smile at the end of the colts game is evidence of that - So the chargers pull of one of the most dramatic playoff victories ever - and LT is barely cracking a smile.

It was painfully obvious he was jealous of Mr. Sproles getting the opportunity to be the hero (and not himself).

I think LT has some juice left in the tank (so I dont think he's done career-wise) - but I also think you'll never see him run again like he did 2 years ago (and it wouldnt surprise me to see him finish his career in another jersey)

If he played for the pats...you know he'd get released this offseason.

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by BuckinKaeding

Yup, thats been hitting the airwaves all day.

I don't think the NFL will discipline him, but I doubt he gets a start in the game. Wouldn't be surprised if he gets benched for the first drive.

Why can't he just stay at home with his pals and get wasted in his huge mansion or something?

I really don't get why all these atheletes do stupid shit. Roll up in a limo or something

[Demonpenz]

I am not sure I buy all the "he is too small" hype. if you are a 6 foot lime backer you know how low you have to get to get a shot on sproles with his head down. Alot of times you can't put a good lick on him because you can't go at him hard you have to break down and make a sure tackle. I am confused what part of the body wouldn't be able to take a pounding, because a 230 pound guy has alot easier to get a shot in on, not to mention their large bodies can get hurt more with the weight on tendons and hitting the ground

[Molitoth]

It's not that LT is washed up, its that NFL defenses zone in on stopping him which has opened up the Bolts passing game.


It happens to most NFL running backs, except teams who just can't afford to ditch the running efforts.... aka Lions Barry Sanders. (although they did have Herman Moore and Johnny MMA Morton)

[Jilly]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

I am not sure I buy all the "he is too small" hype. if you are a 6 foot lime backer you know how low you have to get to get a shot on sproles with his head down. Alot of times you can't put a good lick on him because you can't go at him hard you have to break down and make a sure tackle. I am confused what part of the body wouldn't be able to take a pounding, because a 230 pound guy has alot easier to get a shot in on, not to mention their large bodies can get hurt more with the weight on tendons and hitting the ground

wouldn't the argument be that he can't see the holes as easily and where the blocks will work or not work because of his height?

[MIAdragon]

Chargers prez hints L.T.'s time in S.D. may be over

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9089528/Chargers-prez-hints-L.T.'s-time-in-S.D.-may-be-over?MSNHPHMA

The San Diego Chargers appear to be bracing their fans for the possibility that LaDainian Tomlinson's brilliant eight-year run with the team could be over.

Bye bye, LT?
If LaDainian Tomlinson's days as a Charger are done, he'll leave big shoes to fill. A look at his eight-year run as the San Diego running back:

According to the team's Web site, club president Dean Spanos called the star running back Thursday to discuss reports that the Chargers might part with Tomlinson, who has been slowed by injuries the last two postseasons and will count $8.8 million against the salary cap next year.

"We talked about the situation and I just tried to explain everything that must be considered," Spanos said in a story detailing the offseason decisions the team must make. "I told him we haven't even started our discussions and won't for a while, so don't jump to any conclusions. And I told him I would call him personally to make sure he's aware of everything that's going on."

Tomlinson, the NFL MVP in 2006, missed the Chargers' playoff loss at Pittsburgh on Sunday with a groin injury. That, coupled with the lowest rushing total of his career, has led to speculation that the team might try to trade or even release L.T.

Tomlinson, who turns 30 in June, is under contract through 2011. Slowed by toe and groin injuries, Tomlinson gained a career-low 1,110 yards in 2008. Two seasons earlier, he set NFL records with 31 touchdowns — including 28 rushing — and 186 points.

The team declined to make Spanos available for further comment. Tomlinson didn't immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

Six years ago, the Chargers were criticized for the way they got rid of star linebacker Junior Seau. Feeling Seau's play was in decline, the Chargers told him he was free to pursue a trade.

During a farewell news conference at the restaurant he owns, Seau said he had lobbied the team to release him so he could seek a free-agent deal. Describing himself as fired, unemployed and humbled, the 12-time Pro Bowler Seau was then traded to the Miami Dolphins.

In another unpopular move, the Chargers cut hard-hitting safety Rodney Harrison after the 2002 season because he'd been slowed by an ankle injury. The Patriots signed Harrison as a free agent and he ended up winning two Super Bowls with them.

Tomlinson hurt his groin in the regular-season finale against Denver on Dec. 28. He started the wild-card playoff game against Indianapolis but came out after scoring a touchdown early in the second quarter. The Chargers went on to beat the Colts 23-17 in overtime, carried by Darren Sproles' 328 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner.

Tomlinson didn't suit up against Pittsburgh, which beat the Chargers 35-24. The Steelers held Sproles, who'll become an unrestricted free agent, to 15 yards on 11 carries.


After the Broncos game, the Chargers announced that Tomlinson had a strained groin. Reports surfaced the day of the playoff game against the Colts that Tomlinson had a detached tendon that connects one of his groin muscles to his pubic bone.

Four days later, Tomlinson — long the franchise's most brutally honest employee — confirmed that he had a detached tendon and practically scoffed at the team's public diagnosis.

"If it was a strain I'd be able to play with it, trust me," Tomlinson said. "A lot of guys have strains."

General manager A.J. Smith was livid that the severity of Tomlinson's injury was revealed and called out the player's camp.

A year ago, Tomlinson missed most of the AFC championship game at New England with a sprained ligament in his left knee. He stood glumly on the sidelines huddled in a parka, wearing his helmet with a tinted visor. Some people criticized Tomlinson's toughness, but the Chargers themselves had provided an overly optimistic update on his injury, announcing in the press box early in the second quarter that Tomlinson had a "sore knee" and that he "can return."

Perhaps wanting to keep up some gamesmanship, the Chargers never updated that report even though Tomlinson and coach Norv Turner later said they knew by early in the second quarter that the running back wouldn't return.

"It's obvious that I couldn't play," Tomlinson said afterward. "If I could have played, I would have been in there."

Tomlinson's agent, Tom Condon, has declined comment.

Condon clients have been at odds with Smith in the past, notably Marty Schottenheimer, Donnie Edwards and Eli Manning.

Schottenheimer was fired as San Diego's coach in February 2007 because of what Spanos called a "dysfunctional situation" with Smith. Edwards, who led the Chargers in tackles for five straight seasons, fell into disfavor with Smith, apparently for asking one time too many for a contract extension, and was allowed to leave as an unrestricted free agent following the 2006 season.

Three days before the 2004 draft, Smith revealed that Archie Manning, through Condon, didn't want his son, Eli, to be taken by the Chargers with the No. 1 pick overall.

Smith picked Manning anyway, then dealt him to the New York Giants for Philip Rivers and a haul of picks that he used to select kicker Nate Kaeding in that draft and star outside linebacker Shawne "roidman" Merriman in the first round of the 2005 draft.

Eli Manning was MVP of the Giants' Super Bowl upset of New England last year.

After the 2005 season, Smith chose to keep Rivers over Drew Brees, another Condon client.

[CHENZ A!]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

I am not sure I buy all the "he is too small" hype. if you are a 6 foot lime backer you know how low you have to get to get a shot on sproles with his head down. Alot of times you can't put a good lick on him because you can't go at him hard you have to break down and make a sure tackle. I am confused what part of the body wouldn't be able to take a pounding, because a 230 pound guy has alot easier to get a shot in on, not to mention their large bodies can get hurt more with the weight on tendons and hitting the ground

I was thinking the same thing.

[Bane]

Sproles an every down back?You cant be serious.He's as much of an every down back as Reggie Bush is.Their both slash runners,fast,and light,just a compliment to a real every down back.Neither back can endure the hits and beating they will take being an every down back.

[beach tribe]

I personally think LT is a puss.

I don't think he will even attempt to play hurt, the way Rivers did, and Suggs is preparing to do.

[StcChief]

What we all saw... I guess the NFL folks don't wanna hear it.
and if we move LJ wonder who will be our power everydown back?