Darren Sproles News: Pro Sports Daily

Comment

March 5

San Diego Union-Tribune

"After talking with numerous people inside and outside the Chargers over the past several hours, I would almost be willing to bet it is just as likely that Darren Sproles won't be here as that Jamal Williams will be here. What?! The Chargers decided to put the first-and-third tender on Sproles rather than risk losing him to free agency, and they released the soon-to-be-34-year-old Williams. But indications are that Sproles can still be had for the right deal -- and it won't take a one and a three. I don't know what it will take, but I hear there are teams willing to make a deal."

Chargers will keep Sproles; Jamal Williams cut

Comment

March 4

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Darren Sproles is staying. Jamal Williams is leaving. The Chargers changed their mind on Sproles, opting Thursday morning to place a first-and-third tender on the dynamic running back and kick returner. Williams, a Pro Bowl nose tackle who had been with the Chargers for 12 seasons, was released. He will be 34 next month, would have been owed a $1 million roster bonus and was scheduled to earn $5 million in 2010. He played in only one game last season due to a triceps injury suffered in the season opener. Also released was veteran running back Michael Bennett, who played sparingly in his year and a half with the Chargers."

Chargers likely to have new-look backfield in 2010 sans Tomlinson, Sproles

Comment

February 27

USA Today

"The San Diego Chargers' backfield makeover continues as the team is ready to show RB-KR Darren Sproles the door just days after cutting the cord with LaDainian Tomlinson. The Chargers opted not to tender Sproles a one-year, $7.3 million deal as a restricted free agent, meaning he's headed for the open market. He made $6.6 million as the team's franchise player in 2009."

Sproles free to join Tomlinson as ex-Bolt

Comment

February 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers yesterday made the probable departure of Darren Sproles official. Not willing to pay him almost $7.3 million, they are not tendering the running back and will allow him to test the free-agent market. The Chargers have made it clear they want Sproles to give them a chance to sign him to a long-term deal, but others will get a chance first. "Darren doesn't have a lot of wear on him and is in high demand," said Gary Wichard, Sproles' agent. "It's a very attractive situation." Having released LaDainian Tomlinson on Monday, the Chargers face the possibility they will have an entirely new backfield. "Our hope is to have Darren back," head coach Norv Turner said. "You start from ..."

Source: Chargers do not tender Sproles

Comment

February 26

ESPN.com

"For the second time in a week, a major turnover has affected the San Diego's backfield. In the same week the Chargers decided to release running back LaDainian Tomlinson, they also opted not to tender running back Darren Sproles, freeing him to leave the team in free agency without any compensation, said a source close to the situation. Had the Chargers wanted to retain Sproles' rights, they would have had to tender him with an offer of nearly $7.3 million for the coming season by March 4. But San Diego deemed that price too high, giving its running back the chance to test free agency. San Diego still would like to re-sign him, and it could, but it will face competition from other teams."

Sproles next?

Comment

February 24

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Darren Sproles could well follow LaDainian Tomlinson out the door and will at least be given the chance to do so. The Chargers remain interested in signing their kick returner and backup running back to a long-term deal, but they won't be retaining his services on a one-year basis as they did in 2009. As the franchise player last year, Sproles made slightly more than $6.6 million last season. Because he would be entitled to a 10 percent increase in 2010, that means the Chargers will have to pay him almost $7.3 million for one year if they give him a tender as a restricted free agent."

Mighty Mouse has become a big cheese

Comment

January 17

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Running back/kick returner Darren Sproles, who was dubbed "Mighty Mouse" at Kansas State, adds an extra dimension to the Chargers offense with his explosive speed. Here he comes to save the day. Dazzling and diminutive, Darren Sproles is lightning in a bottle cap, mayhem in miniature, the small wonder of the San Diego Chargers. "He did that pose after a couple of scores," Norv Turner recalled. "And I said, 'You look like Mighty Mouse.' And he said, 'Well, coach, that's what they called me at Kansas State.' And I told my kids about it and they went on YouTube. They had never seen the cartoon. It's before their time. Obviously, everyone watched Mighty Mouse in our generation." Strange as it ..."

New York Jets planning special effort to stop Darren Sproles

Comment

January 15

New York Daily News

"Jets special teamer Wallace Wright doesn't care who wins the coin toss before Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game. As long as the Jets kick off. Wright will be looking for 43, the uniform number of Darren Sproles, the Chargers' electric return man. "Absolutely," he said. "On this big stage, oh yeah." "I know we've had Leon (Washington) back there and Brad (Smith) now. I know they can run touchdowns back at any time, but when I'm ready to go, I want to hit somebody. Kickoff, that sets the tone. When you kick off and the other team doesn't get anything, that sets the tone for the game." In this case, special teams might even win - or lose - the game. The Chargers special teams have elite ..."

Jets stay wary of explosive Sproles

Comment

January 15

New York Post

"While scouting the Chargers in preparation for Sunday's divisional playoff game, Jets coach Rex Ryan had a revelation: San Diego's Darren Sproles is a game-changing player. "It's funny, because I guess I never realized how exceptional he was until you really start watching tape," Ryan said, "and you're like, 'Oh, whoa.' He's special. There is no doubt." Stopping Sproles, the Chargers' electrifying running back, receiver and returner who's all that despite standing just 5-6, is a big key for the Jets. Ryan compared Sproles to Jets all-purpose back Leon Washington, so who better than the injured Washington to talk about what Sproles can do? "He scares me," Washington said. "I'm a fan now, so ..."

LT still spry, thanks to Sproles

Comment

December 29

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Darren Sproles, a 5-foot-6 Hercules known to his family and friends as Tank, might prove to be more valuable to the Chargers this season than even his NFL-leading 2,279 all-purpose yards would suggest. LaDainian Tomlinson, with an essentially inconsequential game to still survive, is looking forward to going into this postseason strong. For that, LT can thank his head coach and their little buddy. "Obviously I haven't taken a lot of shots (this season) like I usually take," Tomlinson said. "So I think it helped me." With what certainly will be less than a full game yet to play on Sunday against the Washington Redskins, Tomlinson is virtually certain to finish this season with fewer carries ..."

Return unit's goal: spring Sproles

Comment

December 15

San Diego Union-Tribune

"As of last week, Darren Sproles was the leading vote-getter among fans to be the AFC's kick returner in the Pro Bowl. The Chargers would like him to be able to continue to earn that spot. "We've got one of the best returners in the league and we're not giving him the opportunity to change games for us," head coach Norv Turner said. "That's going to be a big point of emphasis for us, getting back to making sure we give Darren a chance in the return game, that we keep people off him and give him room to work." Sproles has fallen to 17th in the NFL in punt return average (8.2 yards) and 18th in kickoff return average (23.7 yards). Over the last seven games (13 returns), he has just three punt ..."

Sproles' happy homecoming

Comment

October 26

Kansas City Star

"Former Kansas State and Olathe North star Darren Sproles had reached the end zone at Arrowhead Stadium in the Big 12 championship game win over Oklahoma, but his 58-yard touchdown reception was his first at Arrowhead in four appearances with the Chargers. "You dream of that as a kid when you grow up here," Sproles said, "so it felt real good to finally get a score here." The Chargers caught the Chiefs in a blitz, and Sproles, as the hot receiver, caught the ball at the 30. He put a move on Chiefs safety Jon McGraw, a former K-State teammate, and outran McGraw and Brandon Carr to the end zone."

Chargers' Sproles a headache for defenders

Comment

October 4

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Tackling running back Brandon Jacobs of the New York Giants, who is 6-foot-4 and weighs 264 pounds, may be like knocking down a run-away piano. But Steelers safety Ryan Clark would opt to stop Jacobs rather than Chargers' running back Darren Sproles, the smallest man in the NFL at 5-6 and 185 pounds. Sproles can embarrass would-be tacklers. "With guys like Sproles, you never know," Clark said. "One minute they're right in front of you, and then they're three, four yards away with one cut. It is extremely hard to play against those guys." The Steelers and Chargers will both rely on average-sized men when they clash tonight at Heinz Field. For the Steelers, rookie return specialist Stefan ..."

Chargers' Sproles a headache for defenders

Comment

October 4

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Tackling running back Brandon Jacobs of the New York Giants, who is 6-foot-4 and weighs 264 pounds, may be like knocking down a run-away piano. But Steelers safety Ryan Clark would opt to stop Jacobs rather than Chargers' running back Darren Sproles, the smallest man in the NFL at 5-6 and 185 pounds. Sproles can embarrass would-be tacklers. "With guys like Sproles, you never know," Clark said. "One minute they're right in front of you, and then they're three, four yards away with one cut. It is extremely hard to play against those guys.""

LaDanian Tomlinson Seems Destined to Miss his Second Straight Game

Comment

September 25

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Darren Sproles has been in the NFL since 2005. He's played in 53 games, including the postseason. Remarkably, more than 10 percent of his career touches have come in the first two games of this season. And while Chargers head coach Norv Turner wouldn't want to wear out his dynamo in this manner over a full season, he is going to ride Sproles while he can and while he has to. LaDainian Tomlinson missed practice again yesterday and seems destined to miss his second straight game Sunday, so Sproles and Michael Bennett will be the tailbacks against Miami."

Sproles more sore, but workload doesn't worry Turner

Comment

September 25

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Darren Sproles has been in the NFL since 2005. He's played in 53 games, including the postseason. Remarkably, more than 10 percent of his career touches have come in the first two games of this season. And while Chargers head coach Norv Turner wouldn't want to wear out his dynamo in this manner over a full season, he is going to ride Sproles while he can and while he has to."