Until the last day before March 5 deadline for free agency, the San Diego Chargers finally took action to retain running back Darren Sproles: they placed the maximum first- and third-round tender on the running back on Thursday, releasing tackle Jamal Williams instead.
It has been long guessed that the Sproles would finally join LaDainian Tomlinson to enter the free agent market, and Chargers’ final move was really a surprise. Being offered a contract for $7,283,000, the five-year veteran Sproles can still make his own choices to sign with another team, but the Chargers would also have the right to match offers from other teams or receiver first- and third-round draft picks as compensation for losing Sproles. With Tomlinson being released, the Chargers are very likely to name Sproles the starting running back for 2010 season if he chooses to continue wearing Chargers jersey. So staying could be the best choice for Sproles.
Releasing 12-year veteran tackle Williams was the other surprise. Being picked by former general manager Bobby Beathard in the second round of the 1998 supplemental draft, Williams has spent all his 12 seasons with the Chargers and has been the run-stuffing anchor of the defensive line. The most likely reason for his being released could be the arm injury he sustained in the 2009 season opener and caused him to miss the rest of the year. It could also be his age and history of knee injuries.
Showing posts with label the Chargers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the Chargers. Show all posts
Friday, March 5, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
RB Tomlinson has no plan to retire
At age 30, running back LaDainian Tomlinson seems to enjoy his free agency after being released by the San Diego Chargers. With no intension to retire, he is now free to choose a new team to play with for the rest of his career, which could be three or four more seasons as he has said.
“I definitely still want to play," Tomlinson said, per the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I still have a lot to give to the game. Not only the performance part, but the mentoring part, teaching young guys. … I’m excited about the future.”
The former NFL Most Valuable Player thanked the Chargers, the city of San Diego and all those loving Chargers jerseys, and he promised that he will not play for Chargers’ AFC West rival, the Oakland Raiders. Remaining an effective, productive running back, he could be target of teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots and the Minnesota Vikings. Tomlinson has said that he hopes to put on Championship Ring with the new team.
“I definitely still want to play," Tomlinson said, per the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I still have a lot to give to the game. Not only the performance part, but the mentoring part, teaching young guys. … I’m excited about the future.”
The former NFL Most Valuable Player thanked the Chargers, the city of San Diego and all those loving Chargers jerseys, and he promised that he will not play for Chargers’ AFC West rival, the Oakland Raiders. Remaining an effective, productive running back, he could be target of teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots and the Minnesota Vikings. Tomlinson has said that he hopes to put on Championship Ring with the new team.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
LT wants to join a potential Super Bowl team
Not being surprised by the San Diego Chargers’ decision to release him, veteran running back LaDainian Tomlinson turning his focus fast on his future after taking off the Chargers jersey. He absolutely did not show any indication of leaving NFL, and looking forward to be able to play with a potential Super Bowl team.
"It was a longtime coming, but I knew it was coming," Tomlinson told SI.com. "Now that it’s official I can kind of look to the next step in my career and playing football for someone else. .. The main thing for me now is to try to win a championship. That’s my No. 1 goal. That’s why I still work hard and train like I do, because I still believe there’s a chance of winning that championship. So the next team I go to has to have a chance of winning a title. I can think of a few teams off the top of my head, but that’s what my agent is for. I’m sure he’s going to do some research, talk to some teams and present some options to me."
The running back actually did not ever mention any specific team he would like to work for, saying that he would like to get things worked out early in free agency. But some reports have mentioned the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots as Tomlinson’s possible choices.
"It was a longtime coming, but I knew it was coming," Tomlinson told SI.com. "Now that it’s official I can kind of look to the next step in my career and playing football for someone else. .. The main thing for me now is to try to win a championship. That’s my No. 1 goal. That’s why I still work hard and train like I do, because I still believe there’s a chance of winning that championship. So the next team I go to has to have a chance of winning a title. I can think of a few teams off the top of my head, but that’s what my agent is for. I’m sure he’s going to do some research, talk to some teams and present some options to me."
The running back actually did not ever mention any specific team he would like to work for, saying that he would like to get things worked out early in free agency. But some reports have mentioned the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots as Tomlinson’s possible choices.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Released player thought off-field problems caused job losing
The former San Diego Chargers wide receiver Chris Chambers declined to admit that his being released was caused to emergence of Malcolm Floyd. No, not because he did not play as well as Floyd to be qualified for wearing Chiefs jersey, but because he had some off-field problems.
Chamber said Monday his being released had much to do with some conflict between his wife, Christina and Stacey Saunders, a 27-year-old with whom Chris Chambers admitted to having an affair.
“I guess it created a distraction upstairs. … They know a little too much of my life, and they used it against me.” Chamber explained why he was released by the team even after he had a key catch in a 24-16 win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.
Neither Chambers nor his wife showed up for the hearing set in late June and they are working out terms and custody of their 2-year-old son. Anyway, the receiver has found a new job in the Kansas City Chiefs. Just forget about the excuses.
Chamber said Monday his being released had much to do with some conflict between his wife, Christina and Stacey Saunders, a 27-year-old with whom Chris Chambers admitted to having an affair.
“I guess it created a distraction upstairs. … They know a little too much of my life, and they used it against me.” Chamber explained why he was released by the team even after he had a key catch in a 24-16 win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.
Neither Chambers nor his wife showed up for the hearing set in late June and they are working out terms and custody of their 2-year-old son. Anyway, the receiver has found a new job in the Kansas City Chiefs. Just forget about the excuses.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Three key offensive starters will miss Chargers Sunday’s game
It is very near that the game between the San Diego Chargers and the Baltimore Ravens will begin. However, three Chargers key offensive starters are expected to miss the game on Sunday.
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, center Nick Hardwick and right guard Louis Vasquez all missed their second straight practice on Thursday, decreasing the chance they’ll play against the vaunted Ravens defense. All of the three had injuries, with Hardwick and Tomlinson’s ankles sprained and Vasquez’s knee sprained.
According to coach Norv Turner, the players who missed Thursday’s practice would have less chance than other guys to play in Sunday’s game.
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, center Nick Hardwick and right guard Louis Vasquez all missed their second straight practice on Thursday, decreasing the chance they’ll play against the vaunted Ravens defense. All of the three had injuries, with Hardwick and Tomlinson’s ankles sprained and Vasquez’s knee sprained.
According to coach Norv Turner, the players who missed Thursday’s practice would have less chance than other guys to play in Sunday’s game.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
CB Cromartie was fined by Chargers for tweeting about nutrition
When the star cornerback Antonio Cromartie was tweeting whether the "nasty food" at training camp has contributed to the team failing to reach the Super Bowl in recent years, he surely did not expect to be fined by the Chargers for that.
But that was what the Chargers did on Tuesday. Coach Norv Turner pulled Cromartie out of a meeting Tuesday and notified him that he was being fined for his Twitter comments. Then Cromartie received a letter that informed of the fine of $2,500.
The Chargers has been using Twitter as a promotional tool. But they have also been worried about what their players have to say on the Web site. That makes players feel that they can not say what they want to say. Coach Turner also told the players not to tweet while they're in the building and not to write messages critical of the organization. On this point, Cromartie's being fined is more like a warning to all players.
But that was what the Chargers did on Tuesday. Coach Norv Turner pulled Cromartie out of a meeting Tuesday and notified him that he was being fined for his Twitter comments. Then Cromartie received a letter that informed of the fine of $2,500.
The Chargers has been using Twitter as a promotional tool. But they have also been worried about what their players have to say on the Web site. That makes players feel that they can not say what they want to say. Coach Turner also told the players not to tweet while they're in the building and not to write messages critical of the organization. On this point, Cromartie's being fined is more like a warning to all players.
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