LT Has Left San Diego: Now What?

Monday marked the end of an era in San Diego, as Ladanian Tomlinson, known throughout America as LT, was cut and ended his career, or at least the part of it with the Chargers. The football media has been abuzz over the last few days about LT’s possibilities with Houston, New England, and New Orleans mentioned amongst the potential landing spots.

However, LT’s release creates a host of choices for San Diego, a team that will look to improve a running game which ranked 31^st in the league last year, and turned in to more of a liability than an asset, especially in the playoff game against the Jets. With tiny speedster Darren Sproles also set to hit the free agent market, the Chargers will start with only fullbacks Jacob Hester and Mike Tolbert locked in the backfield.

As the Chargers attempt to find a new powerback and re-spark their running game, we look at several ways they could accomplish that.

 

1.    Free Agent Market

This offseason free agent market isn’t bad as far as running backs go, with enough talent to give San Diego a worthy replacement to LT and Sproles.

Chester Taylor from the Vikings is the biggest name up for grabs, but he has little experience leading a running game, as he has been relegated to Adrian Peterson’s backup.

Willie Parker was similarly overshadowed this season (by Rashard Mendenhall in Pittsburgh), but he has lost most of the speed that once made him such an explosive talent. He is still a physically tough runner, however, and could break off some tough runs through the tackles.

Cadillac Williams will probably look to leave a rebuilding Bucs team, but the major concern with Williams remains his injury troubles. Should he stay healthy however, he could be a very effective back, with a strong combination of speed and strength.

Super Bowl champs New Orleans might let go of Mike Bell to free up cap space to keep Reggie Bush, although Bell is an unknown quantity and unlikely to be offered a starting job with the Chargers.

 

2.    Trades

With CB Antonio Cromartie publicly stating that he has no interest in continuing playing for the Chargers, San Diego could look to trade him for a running back.

Marshawn Lynch from Buffalo is a distinct possibility. His talent is unquestionable, and he will no doubt be unhappy serving as a second back to Fred Jackson. His off field problems and disciplinary issues, however, will see teams hesitant to give him a big salary.

New England’s Laurence Maroney has been bandied around as a possibility, as he has seen less and less handoffs in the Patriot backfield.

Other running backs who have lost their starting roles with their respective teams include Seattle’s Julius Jones , Baltimore’s Willis McGahee , Dallas’ Tashard Choice , and Oakland’s Michael Bush .

Perhaps the most interesting possibility, however, is the Jets’ Thomas Jones . With New York looking for a solid No. 2 corner behind Darelle Revis, and Jones demanding too much money from a team that already has Shonn Greene and Leon Washington in their depth chart, the team that hastened the end of LT’s time with the Chargers could yet send San Diego his replacement.

 

3.    The Draft

The Chargers could always do it the traditional way, and draft a new running back (or two) in this year’s draft.

Jahvid Best of Cal is arguably the draft’s best back, although his horrific November injury may leave some question marks over his health and readiness. His entire body of work in college, however, was magnificent, and might be the one back closest to being able to fill LT’s shoes.

Ryan Matthews from Fresno State might be the Chargers' second choice. despite playing for a small college in a nearly-unheard of conference, Matthews is a fast and compact runner, who has the skills to make it in the NFL. The question is if it’ll be the Chargers who’ll be willing to give him that chance.

If San Diego decides they want a “real” power back, Jonathan Dwyer of Georgia Tech could be their best bet. Dwyer combines bulk with surprising explosiveness and agility, all of which the Chargers' running game has lacked for the last few seasons.

CJ Spiller might be the best all-purpose threat in this draft, but he will probably be off the board before the Chargers' pick at No. 28. Toby Gerhart of Stanford had an outstanding, Hesiman-worthy season, but he might be a bit of a wild card to be taken in the first round by a team in desperate need of a proven running back.

There remain many options for San Diego as they look to build an effective running game, with plenty of players available for the taking through the free agent market, the Draft, and through possible trades. However, Chargers fans might have to except the fact that they have said goodbye to a talent the likes of which they may never again see in San Diego.