Emotional L.T. says he hopes to be part of a new team soon

[dave nz]

POWAY, Calif. -- LaDainian Tomlinson bid an emotional farewell to San Diego, then looked toward a future that he hopes will include an elusive Super Bowl title.

"It's definitely sad to leave, but I'm excited, as well, about the future," Tomlinson said during a press conference Wednesday. The Chargers released him Monday after a mostly brilliant nine-year run in which he became one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.


Tomlinson thanked the fans; his teammates throughout the years; the Chargers, for giving him a chance; and lastly, his pregnant wife, LaTorsha, who was sitting to his right in a ballroom at a suburban golf course.

L.T., who always seemed to be in control, whether it was on a dazzling, slashing run, or going airborne over a pile of bodies into the end zone, began to choke up. He needed a few minutes to compose himself.

"Sorry," he said, as he fought back tears. "It's probably because I was all prepared and said I wasn't going to do this. Sometimes emotions are what makes a person and as you guys know, I've always worn my emotions on my sleeve."

Had Tomlinson won a Super Bowl title or two with the Chargers, he may very well have been announcing his retirement.

He didn't even make it to a Super Bowl, though, and said he plans to keep pursuing his goal with whichever team will give him a chance.

As Chargers fans remain painfully aware, some of their biggest stars have been tossed aside and found success elsewhere. Tomlinson said he recently spoke with Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees, who less than three weeks ago led the New Orleans Saints to their first NFL title. Tomlinson and Brees were acquired with the Chargers' first two picks in the 2001 draft.

He also mentioned learning the ways of the NFL early in his career from defensive stars Junior Seau and Rodney Harrison. Harrison went on to win two Super Bowls with New England. Seau came close before the Patriots were upset by the New York Giants in the Super Bowl following the 2007 season.

"I'm very excited about the future and the opportunity that's ahead," Tomlinson said. "I've always said my No. 1 goal is to win the championship, so it gives me, I guess, confidence and relief to know guys have gone on to win championships.

"This is not the end of the road at all. I'm not retiring. So I am very excited. I really believe I am going to have that opportunity to win a championship."

Tomlinson thinks he still has a lot left, and that he can play for as many as four more seasons.



He said the Chargers didn't give him an explanation for his release, and really didn't need to. He appreciated being let go this week so his agent, Tom Condon, could look for a job for him during the NFL combine. Condon said he has several meetings set up during the next five or six days.

Injuries and age were taking their toll, and Tomlinson was due a $2 million roster bonus early next month, which all but guaranteed he would be cut loose, as well as a $5 million salary for 2010.

Tomlinson ranks eighth on the NFL's all-time rushing list with 12,490 yards. His 138 career rushing touchdowns rank second, and his 153 total touchdowns rank third.

Tomlinson, who turned 30 last summer, was injured early in the 2009 season and finished with 730 yards on 223 carries for an average of 3.3 yards per carry, all career lows. He became less and less the face of the franchise as his role was reduced in a pass-happy offense.

"I don't want to blame it on the system or anything else," he said. "I don't know. But what I do know is that when I've been given the opportunity, I've had the people around me that can run the football, I've been successful at doing it. I think my track record speaks for itself. I'm a guy that still works very hard and really can do anything out of the backfield. I think that's maybe something that teams are looking for. I just want an opportunity. I'm like a guy coming into the league again. I just want an opportunity to prove that I can play."



Tomlinson was the NFL's MVP in 2006, when he set league single-season records with 31 touchdowns, including 28 rushing, and 186 points. He ran for a career-high 1,815 yards that year, giving him the first of two straight league rushing titles.

Coincidentally, that was Marty Schottenheimer's last season as coach before he was fired due to a personality clash with general manager A.J. Smith. Schottenheimer, who loved to run the ball, made way for Norv Turner and a passing game in which quarterback Philip Rivers has blossomed.

"I would say, just being honest, since Marty left, the focus of running the football the way it was, every year my numbers have dropped. Every single year it has dropped," Tomlinson said. "For me, I look at the numbers. Did I get old the year after I won the MVP? I don't think so. What about a couple years? I certainly don't think so."

Tomlinson blossomed during his five seasons under Schottenheimer, from 2002-06.

"I was very fortunate because it was a time where he allowed me to kind of prove what I could do in this league," Tomlinson said. "He put the ball in my belly. That's all I could ask from a coach. He believed in me and I appreciate that."

Tomlinson said he'll still be part of the San Diego community.

"I just won't be playing football here," he said.

[dave nz]

Top 10 all-time rushers in NFL history

Player Rushing Yards Teams

1. Emmitt Smith 18,355 Cowboys, Cardinals
2. Walter Payton 16,726 Bears
3. Barry Sanders 15,269 Lions
4. Curtis Martin 14,101 Patriots, Jets
5. Jerome Bettis 13,662 Rams, Steelers
6. Eric Dickerson 13,259 Rams, Colts, Raiders, Falcons
7. Tony Dorsett 12,739 Cowboys, Broncos
8. LaDainian Tomlinson 12,490 Chargers
9. Jim Brown 12,312 Browns
10. Marshall Faulk 12,279 Colts, Rams

[BigFratDaddy]

[PHILLYBIRDS20]

always liked LT think he is a nice 15 touch a game back right now which isnt the worst thing in the world

[MCP313]

Another example of why Barry Sanders is the greatest ever. He knew when to walk away....which was probably a few years too early.

As far as LT is concerned he had a great HOF run but he just cant seem to come to grips that he doesn't have it anymore which is sad. Blaming the offense and the head coach are sad excuses which superstar players shouldnt make....leave the excuses for the marginal players.

Truth be told running backs actually flourish everywhere Norv Turner has ever been and Sproles wouldve doubled the yardage totals LT had if given the same opportunity because the San Diego had no problems gaining yards and first downs.

I have no clue who he can help at this point and in his own best interest he should probably walk away now......sad thing is he still thinks he can play 4 more years

PEACE

[seano1]

6. Eric Dickerson 13,259 Rams, Colts, Raiders, Falcons

wow i totally forgot he played for the raiders and falcons

[dhunter]

not only do they release LT but they also decided not to tender sproles.....

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.

Now San Diego's backfield is expected to take on a significantly different look next season, whether or not Sproles returns.

Tomlinson will not be back and there is a decent chance Sproles will not be, either. San Diego is expected to look to free agency, trades and the draft in an effort to rebuild its backfield. Free agent running backs such as Minnesota's Chester Taylor and Pittsburgh's Willie Parker would have to view San Diego's offense as appealing.

Declining to tender Sproles is one of many significant issues facing the Chargers this offseason. San Diego still must figure out a way to keep free-agent wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd, decide what it wants to do with linebacker Shawne Merriman, and find a trade partner for cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

[rjb1816]

you cant pay sproles 7 plus million...he doesnt do enough

[BigFratDaddy]

I smell a trade with Dallas. Hopfully for barber and not tashard.

[Seanie Mac]

Chargers cleaning house, merriman prob next to go.

I like the moves, time to rebuild. they need to get some winners in there

[ParrotHead]

Sproles gone, now what are the Chargers doing. Cant stand Merriman

What direction are they going in.