LaDainian Tomlinson News: Pro Sports Daily

For Tomlinson, all that's left is the goodbye

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February 5

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Tim Sullivan

"LaDainian Tomlinson has taken his bows and taken his lumps. Now it is time for him to take his leave. What has been an open secret for many months was finally acknowledged yesterday by LT himself: that the Chargers will soon pull the plug on their electrifying running back and seek someone else who might be able to hold a candle to him. The die is cast. The announcement is a formality. The Chargers must get Tomlinson off their books by March 5 or pay him a $2 million roster bonus, and no one who's been paying attention is even pretending there's anything agonizing about that decision. Still, method matters. LaDainian Tomlinson is not some fringe free agent who filled a roster spot for a ..."

Tomlinson expects Bolts to let him go

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February 5

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson spent a couple of weeks following the abrupt conclusion of the Chargers season reflecting, in prayer and meditation. He has reached the stage of acceptance. After a month of proclaiming he did not know what his future would be, the certain Hall of Famer said Thursday he knows he has played his last game as a Charger. "I'm not coming back," Tomlinson said. "I don't believe I'll be back in San Diego. I've accepted it." Tomlinson, who has two years remaining on his contract, said neither he nor his agent has spoken with the Chargers since the season ended. He has simply read the writing on the wall. "I just felt like it was over," Tomlinson said. All that's left now is for ..."

LT vents on Bolts issues, outlook

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February 4

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson is not going quietly. Almost certainly in his final month as a Charger, the always-forthcoming running back said in a radio interview this week that he felt disconnected and questioned the commitment of some teammates. "I don't know what it is," he said. "We're (at) the point where these guys that come into the league, it's not about the same values no more. It's not about football, the things that you're taught - faith, family, football. To them, it's not about that no more. It's the name … It's 'me.' And that's the thing that's so disappointing to me, because I can't deal with that no more. If that's going to be allowed I just can't deal with that type of stuff." ..."

L.T. says he's not giving hometown discount to stay in San Diego

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February 4

NFL.com

"San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson said in a radio interview Monday that he wasn't happy with his role this season. The franchise's all-time leading rusher also said that he wants to return to San Diego, but he will not take a pay cut to do so. "It's never been about the money," Tomlinson said on 1090-AM in San Diego. "I love the game of football. It's all about being happy. Being happy and enjoying playing. That's the most important part to me. Also being happy and chasing that Super Bowl." Changes in offensive philosophy, namely the reduction of running plays called by Chargers coach Norv Turner to emphasize the passing game, made this season frustrating for Tomlinson, ..."

LaDainian Tomlinson heading for sad end in San Diego

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January 24

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Four years ago, Jerome Bettis had a storybook ending to his career. The Pittsburgh Steelers running back won a Super Bowl in his final game in his hometown of Detroit and retired on top after the 2005 season. Unfortunately, storybook endings are often few and far between for great running backs. For example, Chicago's Walter Payton ended his career losing a playoff game. Barry Sanders walked away in his prime, apparently because he was so frustrated by the losing years in Detroit. The all-time leading rusher, longtime Dallas star Emmitt Smith, played his last game for Arizona. And now LaDainian Tomlinson's career in San Diego might have ended with him listening to the fans boo when he ..."

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers can't run ball in loss to New York Jets

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January 18

New York Daily News

"A few days ago, Jets LB Bart Scott said he would welcome a heavy ground attack by the Chargers. He told a reporter to pass the word along to Norv Turner. Turner obliged, resulting in a local icon - LaDainian Tomlinson - getting booed in the Chargers' 17-14 divisional playoff loss to the Jets. The Chargers' coach kept force-feeding the ball to Tomlinson, who finished with only 24 yards on 12 carries. Tomlinson, 30, looking slower than ever, was booed on his final carry and hinted after the game he may retire."

LT's likely exit comes empty, sadly

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January 18

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Tim Sullivan

"On his last carry of the last game of what will surely be his last season with the San Diego Chargers, LaDainian Tomlinson was stopped for a 1-yard gain and struck by the sound of unambiguous boos. The noise was reflexive rather than reflective, the spontaneous venting of stunned spectators, and it was probably directed more at the play call than at the player. But on a day of profound disappointment, with Qualcomm Stadium packed with bewildered and crestfallen fans, not even the finest running back the Chargers have employed was beyond backlash. Tomlinson acknowledged that he was aware of the boos following the New York Jets' 17-14 playoff ambush, and he attributed them to the crowd's ..."

Last game as a Charger? LT's $6 million price tag may be too much for team to swallow

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January 17

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Sunday afternoon could be the final time that running back LaDainian Tomlinson takes the field at Qualcomm Stadium as a member of the San Diego Chargers. NFP analyst Michael Lombardi wrote this morning in his "Sunday at the Post" column that "L.T. is due to make almost $6 million next season, and unless he's willing to take a pay cut, cap or no cap, it would be tough for the team to justify his salary." The Chargers host the New York Jets today at 4:40pm eastern. A loss would end San Diego's impressive season while a win would put them in Indianapolis next weekend to play the No. 1 seeded Colts for the AFC Championship. As Lombardi pointed out, the key to Tomlinson's future could hinge on ..."

Twilight for Tomlinson, but Another Chance to Shine

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January 17

New York Times

"For all the talk about parade plans, whether Darrelle Revis can be cloned to cover Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates, and how much weight Mark Sanchez can carry into his homecoming, the one sure-fire Hall of Famer who will step on the field Sunday when the Jets play the Chargers is not part of the conversation. That player, LaDainian Tomlinson, was tucked away in the far corner of the Chargers' locker room Thursday. Coach Norv Turner was asked more than 50 questions last week; one concerned Tomlinson. He is not likely to be the subject of any game plans, either. After being sidelined with injuries while the Chargers were eliminated from the playoffs the past two seasons, Tomlinson is at ..."

Short yardage: LT's chances dwindling with SD

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January 16

Boston Herald

"It has been nearly two years now, but the image remains. It is a picture and a time LaDainian Tomlinson would like to forget, one he declines politely to speak about because it is "in the past and we're going forward." Yet unless he and the San Diego Chargers go a lot further forward in the AFC playoffs the next two weeks he may never erase it. It was Jan. 20, 2008, and Tomlinson had limped onto a frozen field at Gillette Stadium trying to spoil a dream. The Patriots were 17-0 and one win away from another Super Bowl, and Tomlinson's Chargers were there to prevent that. They tried mightily that day and failed but some later insisted Tomlinson had not. While quarterback Philip Rivers limped ..."

Tomlinson's OK with reduced role

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January 14

New York Post

"LaDainian Tomlinson practiced without pain yesterday. Not a big deal? Consider what the Chargers running back has been through the last two Januarys when injuries forced him to the sidelines during the playoffs. "I was probably at my lowest point and just down because I couldn't do anything," Tomlinson said. "It feels great to be running around healthy and knowing I'm going to play a big part in these playoffs." How big a part Tomlinson will play Sunday against the Jets in the AFC divisional round is an interesting question. The running back has run through defenses all decade long but slowed down a bit this season. He had a career low in carries (223) and yards (730). The Chargers say ..."

LT still spry, thanks to Sproles

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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 ..."

Predictable Dallas Cowboys help Chargers on goal-line stand

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December 14

Dallas Morning News

"San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers passed for 272 yards and one touchdown. And the Chargers put together a clock-guzzling late drive to secure victory. But they were most electrified by four defensive plays late in the second quarter: •Marion Barber off right guard for 3 yards to San Diego's 1. •Barber off right guard for no gain. •Barber off right guard for no gain. •Barber off right guard for no gain. Dallas' strategy caught none of the Chargers by surprise. Actually, they were shocked that the same play kept coming. "They called the same play over and over," said San Diego inside linebacker Tim Dobbins, who plays primarily in short-yardage situations. "I don't know what they were ..."

Workhorse running backs a dying breed in NFL

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December 13

Dallas Morning News

"LaDainian Tomlinson had just embarked on his NFL career when his San Diego Chargers played the Cowboys in 2001. It was only his second game, but it may as well have been the Super Bowl. The Waco native, fresh out of TCU, was in Texas Stadium, where so many of his childhood dreams took place. He was playing against the team he cheered for as a kid, sharing the field with his idol, Emmitt Smith. "That's a moment that I'll always remember, really idolizing him and getting a lot of advice from him," said Tomlinson, who ran for 90 yards in a 32-21 win. "That was special to get back there and have a chance to talk to him on the field." Smith's advice about taking care of his body stuck with ..."

LT has to do less, but loves it more

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December 10

San Diego Union-Tribune

"He is no longer the man by whom victories are measured. And that is fine with him, as long as he can measure this apparent twilight of his time in San Diego in victories. There is a peace about LaDainian Tomlinson this season, evident in his smile and the things he says. He appears happier than at any time in the past two years, paradoxical if only because he was a greater contributor on the field in those seasons. "It has to do with winning," Tomlinson said. "If we're winning, it doesn't matter how many yards I get. At this point, I'm missing a championship, and this is the best team I've been on as far as being able to get that done." From 2004-08, the Chargers were 27-3 in games in ..."

LT expects an 'emotional' game against Dallas

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December 8

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The last time LaDainian Tomlinson played in Dallas against the team of his youth, the Chargers won but he lost the two diamond studs that are as ubiquitous as his megawatt smile – and almost as expensive. "I remember it pretty vividly," Tomlinson said, laughing as he recalled the day in which he lost the 1.64-carat studs that were valued at more than $30,000. "Obviously, losing my earrings is one thing that sticks out in my mind. I'll never forget that ... But I remember us winning, I remember talking to Emmitt Smith before the game. I remember being emotional before the game. Having my family there, running out of Texas Stadium where I visited a couple times as a kid to watch a game, and ..."

Brown pays his respects to Tomlinson

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December 7

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson has a smile that can light up a room. You could have turned the lights out in the nearly empty Chargers locker room last night and still been able to see, so clearly pleased was Tomlinson when he looked up and saw his visitor. Jim Brown, aided by a cane, had come to pay his respects to the man who had just passed him on the NFL's all-time rushing list, the same way Tomlinson had paid his respects to Brown with a point up to Brown's suite and a tap of his heart at midfield immediately after his historic 11-yard run in the fourth quarter. "That's the class that he shows," Brown said afterward. "I wanted to come down here and show mine. … I'm happy that he did it. It makes ..."

Tomlinson to Brown: 'I wanted to be like you growing up'

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December 7

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"When the Chargers first saw their schedule for this season, LaDainian Tomlinson mentally circled the Dec. 6 game in Cleveland and smiled an L.T. smile. He thought about what an honor it would be if he could pass Jim Brown on the NFL's all-time rushing list while facing the Browns in Cleveland. Tomlinson made it a reality with an 11-yard run in the fourth quarter of the Chargers' 30-23 victory Sunday afternoon at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The carry pushed Tomlinson into eighth place with 12,315 yards, three more than Brown, sitting in a loge suite. Tomlinson finished with 64 yards to give him 12,321 for his career. Tony Dorsett ranks seventh with 12,739. "It's special," Tomlinson said of ..."

LT passes Jim Brown on all-time rushing list against Cleveland

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December 7

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Call it LaDainian Tomlinson's encore, a footnote to a historic day. The running back's midair snag of an onside kick with 39 seconds to play finally put the woeful Cleveland Browns to rest and secured a 30-23 victory, strangely one of the most difficult in the Chargers' streak of seven. "That was the No. 1 play of the day, because that sealed the victory," said a beaming Tomlinson, who earlier moved into eighth place on the NFL's all-time rushing list, passing legendary Jim Brown, a former Brown who was in attendance yesterday and spoke with Tomlinson afterward."

Tomlinson about to best Jim Brown

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December 5

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson will pass Jim Brown in career rushing yards if he picks up 56 against the Browns on Sunday. This would be serendipity. "That would be special," LaDainian Tomlinson said. "It just happens to happen that way." For all of the amazing feats in his career, the threshold on which Tomlinson stands now is truly special, 56 yards from passing Jim Brown on the NFL's all-time rushing list in the town where Brown spent his entire career. Tomlinson said moving into the top 10 last week wasn't that big of a deal. But moving to No. 8 would be momentous. And Tomlinson, who has 12,257 career rushing yards, could well do so this Sunday in Cleveland. That would mean passing Marshall Faulk ..."

Tomlinson about to best Jim Brown

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December 4

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson will pass Jim Brown in career rushing yards if he picks up 56 against the Browns on Sunday. This would be serendipity. "That would be special," LaDainian Tomlinson said. "It just happens to happen that way." For all of the amazing feats in his career, the threshold on which Tomlinson stands now is truly special, 56 yards from passing Jim Brown on the NFL's all-time rushing list in the town where Brown spent his entire career. Tomlinson said moving into the top 10 last week wasn't that big of a deal. But moving to No. 8 would be momentous. And Tomlinson, who has 12,257 career rushing yards, could well do so this Sunday in Cleveland. That would mean passing Marshall Faulk ..."

Tomlinson keeps movin' up, passing Allen and James

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November 30

San Diego Union-Tribune

"On the day the Chargers' greatest players were honored in a pregame ceremony, perhaps the greatest of all (apologies to top vote-getter Dan Fouts and Lance Alworth) continued his 2009 renaissance and what has become of late a quick rise up the NFL's all-time rushing chart. LaDainian Tomlinson had just 39 rushing yards (on 13 carries), but it was enough to move him into 10th place on the league's all-time rushing list with 12,257 yards. He moved past Marcus Allen (12,243) and Edgerrin James (12,246) and is now 23 yards from passing Marshall Faulk and 56 from passing Jim Brown. Tomlinson also scored two touchdowns, the 133rd and 134th rushing TDs of his career, second all-time to Emmitt ..."

Running back by committee

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November 18

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Straight out of Cal, remember, he started with New Orleans. The so-called Big Easy long had been an exciting and fun town, unless you were talking about its National Football League team. The Saints, oh yes, they went marching in all right. Left-hut. Right-hut. Left, right, left. "We had, you know, the traditional two-back set," said Chuck Muncie yesterday, recalling his first four-plus years in the NFL. "Run some sweeps here, run left off-tackle, right dive there, maybe catch a swing pass here and there.""

Tomlinson delivers

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November 16

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Shaun Phillips walked off the field, helmet in hand, teammates all around, and yelled something that seemed unfathomable a month ago. "Somebody's tied for first place." Yep. When are we going to learn?"

Emotional Tomlinson savors victory

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November 9

San Diego Union-Tribune

"They were for so long practically inextricable, big days by LaDainian Tomlinson and Chargers victories. No more. Yesterday, by any statistical measure, was one of the worst games of Tomlinson's Hall of Fame career. Yet there he was at the end, that diamond-bright smile beaming, embracing the head coach he hasn't seen eye to eye with for much of the past 2½ years. Tomlinson has been talking about how he wants to play five more years. But he knows that might not happen and his career is closer to its sunset than its sunrise. "I've been through a lot in my career; it's hard work," he said softly as he stood alone in the locker room an hour after yesterday's 21-20 win over the Giants. "I don't ..."

LT: 'We finally came together'

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November 9

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Philip Rivers never stopped running from the time he left the field. Eric Weddle, after perhaps the game of his career, was the last player off the field. His smile was ear to ear as he jumped up (way up) to chest-bump big Marcus McNeill. "Welcome to New York," LaDainian Tomlinson shouted from the doorway to the locker room. Welcome to a new season. Midway through 2009, the Chargers are showing they could pull a 2007 redux, only maybe better. "We just finally came together," Tomlinson said. "It usually takes us awhile to build that whatever you've got to have — that 'it' factor. But when we get it, we get our swagger going (and) it's tough to stop us." The Chargers had shown they were ..."

LJ understands LT's slow start

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October 23

Kansas City Star

"It was only three seasons ago that LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson were at the top of the pile of NFL running backs. Neither will be anywhere close to that Sunday when Tomlinson's Chargers and Johnson's Chiefs meet at Arrowhead Stadium. Johnson is 22nd in the league with 309 yards but is averaging a feeble 2.7 yards per carry and doesn't have a touchdown. Tomlinson has been held back by injuries and with 140 yards isn't among the league's top 50 rushers. He has only one touchdown. "His experience is a little bit different," Johnson said." He's been hurt, he's been nicked up. "He always started slow sometimes. The next thing you know he's down for five touchdowns, six touchdowns. It ..."

Vonnie Holliday faces Tomlinson once more, this time as a Bronco

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October 18

Denver Post

"In 12 NFL seasons, Vonnie Holliday has played against LaDainian Tomlinson more times than he can count. In intraconference play with the Green Bay Packers; in interdivisional play twice a year as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. All the while, the San Diego Chargers running back has been a focal point for Holliday and the teams he has been a part of. So, despite circumstantial evidence to the contrary, the Broncos' defensive end is taking the same approach into Monday night's game at Qualcomm Stadium. "I haven't watched L.T. yet this year," Holliday said. "You hear stuff through the media, just like I heard that the Broncos weren't any good this year. That's the same kind of stuff I'm ..."

LT, Rivers assert team's 'quiet confidence'

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October 15

San Diego Union-Tribune

"These are not the words of a team coming off an embarrassing loss on national television, a group that for the third straight season has yet to find its collective step in the early going. "It's a quiet confidence," running back LaDainian Tomlinson said Wednesday when asked how the Chargers were feeling going into Monday's game against the Denver Broncos. "You look in each man's eyes in that locker room, you can tell there is something extra." Later, quarterback Philip Rivers voiced the same sentiment without being asked specifically about Tomlinson's comments."

Tomlinson rushes for 15 yards, but 'felt pretty good'

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October 5

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson never had a chance to show what he could do. "We got down so fast, we couldn't run the ball," Tomlinson said after a night in which he carried just seven times for 15 yards. In all, the Chargers gained just 16 yards on the ground, their lowest rushing total in a regular-season game since at least 1992. "We had 15 plays in the first quarter-and-a-half," head coach Norv Turner said after the Chargers lost 38-28 to the Steelers."

LaDanian Tomlinson Seems Destined to Miss his Second Straight Game

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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."

Tomlinson officially ruled out for Sunday's game

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September 19

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The insurance policy will get cashed early, as the expected became official yesterday and LaDainian Tomlinson was ruled out for tomorrow's home opener against the Baltimore Ravens. That means Michael Bennett and Darren Sproles will get the bulk of the carries, as Tomlinson misses a regular-season game because of injury for the first time in his career. Tomlinson sat out the 2004 season finale when coach Marty Schottenheimer rested many of his starters before the playoffs. Tomlinson also missed the divisional playoff loss to Pittsburgh last January, his only start ever missed to injury."

Week One best bets include Brady, Tomlinson

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September 15

Buffalo News

columnist Jay Skurski

"If Las Vegas provided lines on things like who will have the best fantasy production in Week One, Tom Brady's name would be taken off the board. The abuse the New England quarterback has doled out to the Buffalo Bills in their recent meetings borders on criminal. In his record-setting 2007 alone, Brady went 54 for 68 (79.4 completion percentage) for 684 yards and nine touchdowns (zero interceptions) against the Bills. With a national audience on Monday night waiting to see if Brady is indeed healthy, he is my No. 1 play for the first week of fantasy football. Here's the rest of my team of recommended starters, based on a squad of two running backs, two wide receivers, a tight end, flex ..."

Peterson or LT as best back?

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September 4

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"This might be difficult to believe, but the key ingredient to Adrian Peterson's 75-yard touchdown run Monday night in Houston wasn't his speed. Sure, it was important that Peterson had the ability to break away from the Texans' defenders. But what was even more significant is that before Peterson sped up, he slowed down. In a nutshell, Peterson practiced patience. "That's what it was," Peterson said Wednesday when asked about scoring on the opening play from scrimmage. "Those were the first words that came out of (running backs coach Eric Bieniemy's) mouth. How patient I was." Peterson's willingness to let the play develop in front of him and his ability to pressure the linebacker into ..."

Don't look for LT in anymore preseason tilts

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August 28

San Diego Union-Tribune

"It appears the LaDainian Tomlinson preseason show has run its course, or at least will go on hiatus. Head coach Norv Turner Thursday said he hadn't decided whether Tomlinson will play in Saturday night's nationally televised exhibition game at Atlanta. But asked whether he had concerns about Tomlinson playing on artificial turf, Turner said, "You're reading my mind now." Tomlinson, who has 12 carries in two games after not playing in a preseason game for three years, would like to play against the Falcons."

Is risking Tomlinson worth Chargers' reward?

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August 20

Orange County Register

columnist Marcia C. Smith

"LaDainian Tomlinson grabs the football as if it were a newborn baby. He cradles it, then cuts left, dashes between linemen, breaks right and sprints toward the open field. He's running for the end zone, scurrying away from the calendar. He has been practicing at Chargers Park like the explosive L.T. of Ol', not like an old L.T. Tomlinson is also unselfishly offering himself up to play in the Chargers' second preseason game on Saturday at Arizona, and Coach Norv Turner, fighting every cautious urge to bubble-wrap the 30-year-old franchise running back until it's time for the games that actually matter, has reluctantly obliged. Playing Tomlinson in the preseason - his first since 2005 - may ..."

LT sees first preseason action in 4 years

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August 16

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson played and walked away smiling. "It felt good," he said. Shawne Merriman stalked the sideline after his first turn on the field in 11 months. "It feels great," Merriman said. All is well. The Chargers lost 20-14 to the Seattle Seahawks last night in their preseason opener at Qualcomm Stadium as two Charlie Whitehurst turnovers led to 10 Seattle points in the second half. That, as usual, was unimportant. At this point, with most starters out shortly after the second quarter began, there is one thing paramount for the Chargers: A team that stumbled to a .500 record in 2008, with many of its key players injured from the start of the season and then throughout, is healthy ..."

LT: 85 percent sure he'll play in preseason

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August 11

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Might Qualcomm Stadium erupt Saturday in the kind of ovation that is rarely, if ever, heard in August? If LaDainian Tomlinson has his way, it will. And he's optimistic he'll have his way. Yes, the preseason's phantom might actually carry the ball in an exhibition. "From what I've been told, it's pretty encouraging," Tomlinson said Monday at training camp. "So I'd say it's 85 percent." Tomlinson has voiced a desire to play every August, but he has not touched a ball in the preseason since Aug. 21, 2005. He has just 14 carries in his eight career preseasons. "This year could be different," Tomlinson said. "I wouldn't rule out me playing.""

Turner believes using Sproles more will help Tomlinson

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March 25

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers will have the highest-paid running back tandem in the NFL in 2009, and coach Norv Turner believes it will serve them well. Turner doesn't believe LaDainian Tomlinson necessarily needs a caddie, but he thinks slightly expanding Darren Sproles' role will help the future Hall of Famer. "If you talk about being around the great backs, they're at their comfort level when they get 22, 23, 25 carries," Turner said Tuesday at the NFL owners'meetings. "(Tomlinson) had (a career-low 292) carries last season. I'd expect him to have more. I'd expect him to be in the 320s. That's what he does. He can handle it, and he'll be prepared to handle it. "We have a luxury. We have a very good ..."

Numbers show compromise in new Tomlinson deal

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March 18

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The numbers on LaDainian Tomlinson's reworked contract are in, and they tell a story of compromise. Tomlinson forfeited at least $6.125 million in potential salary over the three years on the deal, though he does have a chance to earn back $2 million of that by reaching yardage milestones in 2010. Tomlinson, credited last week by team President Dean Spanos and General Manager A.J. Smith for helping the team create salary cap room so it could try to sign other players, afforded the Chargers approximately $4.1 million in cap relief over the three years. As reported previously, Tomlinson will make $6.725 million in 2009, same as in the old contract. But $2.875 million was in a signing ..."

Tomlinson takes a step back to move forward

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March 17

Orange County Register

columnist Marcia C. Smith

"LaDainian Tomlinson pulled on the headphones and took a seat on the stage Friday for 710 ESPN Radio's "Lunch with a Legend" at Morton's The Steakhouse. This was lunchtime, with Tomlinson's interview for the "Mason"

Tomlinson agrees to restructured deal with Chargers

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March 11

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Dean Spanos was not going to let LaDainian Tomlinson leave. "What he's done since his career started here, what he's meant to the community and the fans and the organization, it was unthinkable he wouldn't be here," said the Chargers' president and CEO said Tuesday night. Spanos spoke shortly after an accord was reached, with Tomlinson agreeing to take the pay cut the team said he must in order for the franchise and arguably its most popular player ever to avoid a divorce. Tomlinson credited Spanos with smoothing the way to the restructured three-year contract that will keep the iconic running back in San Diego. "I really appreciate the role Dean played throughout this process," ..."

With talks in 'final stages,' signs point to LT staying

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March 10

San Diego Union-Tribune

"It's close. Will he stay or will he go? Indications are that we'll know sooner rather than later. Talks regarding a restructured contract are ongoing between LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers, and those talks reportedly are in the "final stages." It would appear that the continued discussions are good news for those who want LT to stay in San Diego. Both sides have always said they want Tomlinson to be a Charger in 2009. The team believes Tomlinson, if healthy, has at least another year of being an elite running back. Tomlinson lives here, likes it here and would like to stay in the same uniform his entire career. That's best for him now and probably best for his legacy. The ..."

Saints' quarterback Drew Brees would love to 'snatch' Chargers tailback LaDainian Tomlinson if he comes free

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March 9

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"If it were up to Saints quarterback Drew Brees, he'd love to be reunited with close friend and former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson if the San Diego Chargers cut the former MVP tailback loose. While discussing Tomlinson's contract standoff on San Diego radio station XX 1090 AM, Brees said the "best case scenario" would be for Tomlinson to stay in San Diego because of what he's meant to the team, the fans and the community. But he also admitted, "I'm just waiting for the opportunity if he is available to come and snatch him away." When asked if he has discussed that possibility with Tomlinson, Brees said, "I think that's pretty obvious, don't you think?" When the radio hosts jokingly brought ..."

Stay or go? Decision now in LT's hands

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March 7

San Diego Union-Tribune

"It's been almost two weeks since the Chargers and LaDainian Tomlinson's agent began the back and forth of a contract restructure for the iconic running back. The back and forth is finished. This is up to Tomlinson now. It's a matter of whether he wants to play for less money in San Diego. Information is coming in this saga like water from a drippy faucet. But my understanding is that Tomlinson has the Chargers' final offer. That offer could be for two years or three years. Whatever it is, it will be for less money than the $24 million he is scheduled to make by 2011. What form the new money takes (signing bonus, roster bonus, incentives) is not known. We heard Thursday on 1090-AM from ..."

No decision today: Tomlinson's status remains unclear

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February 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson's future with the Chargers is still up in the air. "All I can tell you is everything is ongoing," Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith said Thursday in delivering his state-of-the-Chargers address. "I've got nothing more to add at this time. But I will add this: We would love to have him. We hope he returns." The Chargers are hoping to restructure Tomlinson's contract, which has three years remaining, to reduce the $6.725 million owed the former league Most Valuable Player for next season, with Tomlinson receiving a new signing bonus to be paid over five years."

LT's fate could be decided Thursday

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February 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Amid indications the LaDainian Tomlinson saga could be resolved Thursday, Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith will address the media at noon. Silent since last week about Tomlinson and, really, all things regarding his team, Smith will talk the usual injury specifics and be vague about plans for free agency and the draft. He will announce topics he refused to confirm or deny Wednesday, including the retention of restricted free agents Malcom Floyd and Cletis Gordon, both given a second-round tender, which guarantees them $1.45 million. (The Chargers did announce the re-signing of guard Kynan Forney to a two-year deal potentially worth $4.5 million.) There could be a surprise or two, as ..."

For LT, time is the heart of the matter

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February 23

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Tim Sullivan

"LaDainian Tomlinson is like a vintage sports car: exquisitely engineered, continually thrilling, and repeatedly down for repairs. The miles accumulate along with the memories, until the cost of maintenance consumes the rush of pulse-pumping, responsive speed. All running backs reach the point of diminishing dazzle, the career crossroads at which what they are can never again match what they once were. If LT has not already reached that point, it is close, and it is coming. This is the way of all flesh, and all flash, and there's no one to fault but Father Time. Thus the Chargers' interest in reconfiguring LT's contract should not be viewed as an insult, but as an inevitability. Both ..."

Risky business for Chargers, LT's reps

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February 23

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers and representatives for LaDainian Tomlinson are talking to each other. But no word regarding progress, or lack thereof, is coming out of either camp. As the two sides negotiate over how the future Hall of Famer could remain in San Diego, questions linger about how long it will take and under what terms Tomlinson could stay. With the NFL scheduled to have no salary cap in 2010, a deal heavily laden with incentives seems unlikely because those incentives would count against the 2009 cap if reached. Any restructuring - which would reduce Tomlinson's base salary for 2009 and beyond - would likely include a new signing bonus that could be spread out over five years for the ..."

Tomlinson talks are expected to heat up this weekend

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February 21

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Even before the principals began arriving here Thursday for the NFL Scouting Combine, meetings between the Chargers and LaDainian Tomlinson's agent were set for this weekend. Ed McGuire, Chargers assistant general manager, was scheduled to arrive in Indianapolis on Friday night, and sources said a series of discussions between him and Tomlinson's agent, Tom Condon, will take place after that. (McGuire is the team's chief negotiator; General Manager A.J. Smith rarely speaks directly with agents.) A source said Thursday that a meeting was set between McGuire and Condon for Sunday, but that likely will be just one of several components of a back-and-forth between the sides over a ..."