San Diego Chargers Need a Backup Plan

Getting rid of running back Michael Turner probably wasn't the best move the San Diego Chargers have made. Getting rid of running back LaDainian Tomlinson would be even worse.

The Spanos family could get rid of the prize running back after this season in a famous "what have you done for me lately" move.

About to enter his ninth NFL season, Tomlinson is a future Hall of Famer, and an amazing football player. However, in the last two seasons, he has been so banged up he couldn't perform in the postseason.

L.T. has 31 all-purpose touchdowns the last two seasons with 26 of them on the ground, four of them receiving the ball, and a passing touchdown for good measure.

However, after disappearing twice the past two years in the post season Chargers President Dean Spanos could be getting a little impatient of L.T., and may decide to move on without him.

According to the Chargers team Web site, Spanos called the star running back Thursday to discuss reports that the team may part with L.T., who will count $8.8 million against the salary cap next season.

"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."

The reality of it is Tomlinson is an amazing player, and is hard to just get rid of.

Look at the Yankees and Alex Rodriguez after everything they have been through he still remains a Yankee just for the simple fact that he gives you a chance to win. 

I think the San Diego Chargers should just upgrade at running back rather than just get rid of Tomlinson. 

Running back Darren Sproles isn't a bad player, but he is your answer if Tomlinson were to go down.

I think he is good, but not great.  So, why not keep Tomlinson and Sproles, then add one more good back.  That is if they decide to keep Sproles around, as he could become a free agent.

Sproles can get it done as he showed in a recent playoff game in which he dominated with 105 yards rushing, 45 yards receiving, and 178 return yards, Sproles finished the game with 328 all-purpose yards in the Chargers victory over the Colts, which is the third most all-purpose yards by a player in a single NFL postseason game in NFL history. 

He also had the game winning touchdown in overtime.

So, if the Chargers were to take this approach, here is some of the players that will be available to them next season.

New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs will be an unrestricted free agent next year, and the Giants could choose not to resign him.

Despite some injury troubles, if he was the backup of Tomlinson Jacobs could stay healthy and be a great guy to have if L.T. were to go down.

Jacobs was limited in 2008, but still had 879 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Other running backs that could be available are Arizona Cardinal J.J. Arrington, Philadelphia Eagle Correll Buckhalter, New York Jet Jesse Chatman, New England Patriot Heath Evans, Detroit Lion Rudi Johnson, New England Patriot LaMont Jordan, Houston Texan Ryan Moats, Indianapolis Colt Dominic Rhodes, New Orleans Saint Aaron Stecker, and Giant Derrick Ward.

Regardless of how they decide to handle this situation keeping Tomlinson on the team should be a priority of the Chargers in my opinion.