LaDainian Tomlinson: Three Potential Destinations for 2010

LaDainian Tomlinson. What is there to say about one of the greatest rushers of all time? He has done it all. He has a list of achievements so long, it'd take a scrolling credit screen to list them all.

However, things in San Diego are looking grim. He has been saying that he feels like he's going to be released.

If LT does go out into the free agency waters, here are three teams that need to take a serious look at him.

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders are consistently one of the worst teams in NFL. Every year, they finish towards the bottom of the rankings.

2009 was no exception: Thirty-first in the league in points scored, 21st in rushing yards per game, and 31st in overall yards. The evidence is there: They need a playmaker.

Enter LaDainian Tomlinson.

Pros: He could give them a much needed spark on offense. Being a speed rusher, the Raiders would not have to adjust to an up the middle runner because they currently have Darren McFadden.

Speaking of McFadden, this would be a great chance for him to learn. Let's face it, LT is not going to be around forever and could be a teacher for McFadden in the year(s) that he is there.

Cons: While LT is looking for a new home now, there are some questions as to how long he will be playing in the NFL. If the Raiders are looking for a quick fix, LT might be there for them, but if they want somebody to build around, he is not the answer.

Also, he is used to have the offense running around him (something he no longer gets with the Chargers), and it might not be a possibility in Oakland.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are a team that is still rebuilding. Since their Super Bowl run in 2005, there has not been a lot to celebrate in Seattle.

With a new high profile head coach and a good core of young talent, the team is getting their pieces set up, and LT could fit in nicely.

Pros: Seattle was one of the worst teams at running the ball last season. With just under 100 yards a game on average, it was not because they could equally use the run and pass.

Also, Julius Jones just is not ready to be the featured back and with Justin Forsett as his backup, things are not looking up. If the Seahawks pick up Tomlinson, he could become the feature back and they could have a nice “running back by committee” situation.

Cons: One of the things making this seem unlikely is money.

Tomlinson is going to ask for a lot of money wherever he goes, and Seattle may not be able to sign him. They are towards the bottom of the league in salary cap room, so if they are serious about signing him, they might have to cut a few players to make room for him.

New England Patriots

Now this is a bit of a stretch—the Patriots seem to be content with their running back situation.

However, that does not mean they are not shopping around for another running back to add to their roster.

Pros: While the Patriots may have one of the best passing attacks in the league almost every year, the same cannot be said for their running attack. At a little bit over 100 yards per game, if they want to get back to their superior ways, they will need to establish a single running back.

Tomlinson could fit in that role nicely, since he has been carrying the running load for the Chargers in the past years.

Cons: The revolving door that was the Patriots backfield last season. Now, while that might be good for some, it might not be a good fit for LT. He’s used to getting the bulk of the carries.

With Darren Sproles getting more and more carries over the past few years, LT has not been happy and he has made sure we know that. He has got to go somewhere where he is the main back and it just is going to take a miracle for it to happen in New England.

But hey, they had Mark Henderson clear a path for the kicker back in the day, so stranger things have happened.