Tomlinson Heads to New York Today
LaDainian is looking for a championship .. and right now it looks like he’s trying to decide between at least four teams, the Jets and Vikings, along with the Eagles and Saints. Tomlinson will arrive in New York today .. will the Jets let him leave without a signed contract?
LaDainian Tomlinson left Vikings headquarters Thursday without a contract and now will be wined and dined by Rex Ryan and the Jets, who are very serious about signing the future Hall of Fame running back, according to multiple league sources.
The only thing that could have short-circuited the trip to New York was an 11th-hour deal with the Vikings to back up Adrian Peterson. Barring that, Tomlinson will meet with the Jets, who want to team the former NFL MVP with Shonn Greene.
Tomlinson reportedly left Minnesota very impressed by the Vikings but wants to talk to other teams. He reportedly has visits with other teams lined up for next week and may visit the Eagles and Saints, who have former Chargers quarterback and good friend Drew Brees to recruit Tomlinson.
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Tomlinson said he would have no problem being a backup with his new team.
“I don’t (have a problem with it),” Tomlinson told the Minneapolis Star Tribune when asked about playing
While I’m sure he wants a championship, I think that money will play into it too, which is why he’s not signed with one team or another yet, and has made it clear he’s going to shop around.
Not bound by the Final Four rules because he was a cut, not a free agent, allow the Jets to sign Tomlinson to whatever kind of deal they’d like. New York City, the new stadium and new practice facility, pulling out all the stops with guys Sanchez (who I believe is getting treatment in NJ) and the Vikings the uncertainty around Favre … I expect the Jets to be a real contender for LaDainian’s services. Clearly Tomlinson isn’t what he once was, but he would be a great goal-line addition for the Jets and could take 10-15 carries a game and save some wear on Leon and Shonn.
It’s getting interesting …
95 Responses to Tomlinson Heads to New York Today
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WOJF says:
Signing LT would be a PSL play by Woody, here we go again.
Will be interesting to see all those commenters that screamed cutting TJ was the right move because a RB goes all downhill after 30 and he looked worn down at the end of the season spin the LT signing as a great move.
Want to see some consistancy from you guys and gals.
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JetObsessed28 says:
The more i think about it, the more i like the idea..
I know he’s not what he once was, but our team has one of the the best O-Lines in football.. That will help LT a great deal..
the question becomes – what kind of money does he want?
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Ben, you are right on in your analysis, there is no way LT is a better fit for this team than TJ.
LT is truly done.
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BC says:
I would prefer TJ to LT at this stage of their careers. LT simply doesn’t scare anyone anymore, and it’s dangerous to assume that our offensive line will magically transform him back into the LT of yesteryear. I also hope management doesn’t really believe that signing a player with lots of name recognition is going to help sell PSL’s – that’s just silly.
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Brendan says:
Guys, both of you (Ben & WOJF) need to stop until an actual contract is signed. It’s not what TJ signed in KC, it’s the nearly $6 mil he was due here. And I don’t know what citing Sproles’ YPC is trying to prove, he had less than 1/2 the carries LT (you know, the tough yard carries you always raved about TJ for?). LT, if signed for something like $2 million with incentives, is a better fit than TJ at $5.9 mil
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I would prefer a big bruiser over LT. Like SD99 has been saying FB/RB to get the tough yards and eventually replace T.Rich.
By the way is T.Rich on board for next year?
I am sure some wont agree here but I have to question LT”s heart nowadays. He just wants another payday and I dont blame him,I hope the Vikings give it to him.
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Brendan
The problem is with the TJ fans is….. Tanny basically couldnt deny that the Jets refused to match the TJ offer from KC on WFAN this morning.
True he was not worth the 6 mil but he probably was worth the money he signed for in KC.
For the record I am not annoyed that TJ left or wasnt retained. I am not in love with the LT plan though either…..but I am not thrilled about bringing in a less productive 30+ yr old back to replace a more productive one either
If LT signs for the same money or god forbid more than the TJ deal….Ben might write a novel…..lol
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starz31 says:
I’m not worried about the production. I’m more worried about the psyche.
LT had far fewer carries than TJ last year, that alone is a big factor. Yes, LT may have more carries career-wise, but the year-after effect still is a factor.
But the thing I don’t like about LT is that he whines and pouts. he doesnt play tough like Curtis Martin (see: consecutive playoff games vs. Patriots). That scares me.
I want a RB who is hungry. Who is tough. And is not afraid of contact. Lt is not that guy. TJ has that style, but is not the same anyways.For the right price, I do like having a veteran back…but I’d rather have Leon and T-RIch be the leaders and we sign/draft a fresh RB.
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Jetnut says:
everyone has to understand:
it ALWAYS depends on the money.
sign LT for a good price, we win….over pay him, we lose
PERIOD.
i dont know why people should complain about not bringing in LT. bring in whatever, if the price is right.
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Lance Mehl says:
Brendan ..right on all counts ..its amazing how people are comparing .. TJ simply would not negotiate and we couldn’t handle the cap ..simple as that .. LT at $2 M is a solid signing .. great character, leader and a guy that can help Greene big time .. I like this move .. if they can make it happen ..
and by the way, that is an AWESOME pic of LT ..
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As was mentioned yesterday…. M Douglas made the comment that we took LT’s heart in the playoff game after another -1 carry….and not one Jet fan disagreed.
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For all that think LT is this great leader….Did anyone ever see the circus show he put on last year when the more productive Sproles came in the game in the redzone? Not to mention the constant sulking on the sidlelines in playoff games instead of supporting his teammates?
If he signs for a cheap deal great …..but lets not make LT to be this great leader and mentor. The history shows he is not!
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nicko says:
LT is going to the vikings so stop worrying about some BS that isnt going to happen…..we will fill this whole in the draft if we need to……..lets get a damn pass rusher to make this D dominant
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Dylan says:
The Jets probably didn’t want to give a two year deal to a RB that is going to turn 32 in August. They don’t need their 3rd string RB to be as good as TJ. It would be like signing Ray Lewis to backup David Harris or vice versa. All they need is a guy to spell Greene and Leon for a few carries each game. LT is a perfect fit. He is a respected vet, great out of the backfield, and great at putting the ball in the endzone. TJ was basically just going to be a goaline back and an insurance policy anyway. I’m sure LT can handle those duties.
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Bent says: Is that Gholston standing in the gap between Barton and Eric Smith?
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originalJetFan says:
With 100 -150 carries, I,ll bet his YPC goes up over 4 and his real value is he has to be a better pass blocking back then Shonn Green at this point, and he’s also a better receiver, so in a passing situation LT at RB, leon in the slot, BE and JC split out and keller at TE. Lotta options for draws, screens and dump offs there.
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LMFAOooooooooooooooooo bent!!
joke of the month right their!!!!!!!!!!!! -
bent
well played my friend…I thought he was just to the right of E Smith taking up 2 blockers :O
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Wolf says:
There is Vernon “I can take up two defenders” Gholston.
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John says:
I think LT would be a good fit for the jets. They are not asking him to be the feature back so that alone should keep him from breaking down like he has the past 2 years. its obvious that he cant handle 30 touches a game anymore.
What he provides is a threat to defenses. With 2 rb sets leon and lt can both catch the ball and pick up yards. It will make it tough to cover both guys coming out the back field. Shonn Greene will be the prototypical physically punishing running back for this team while LT and Leon able to juke and create there own lanes which will be mentally punishing for defenders.
This team is really starting to come together Mikey T has done a great job this offseason of addressing the team needs with talented players and not spending the big bucks. I think the jets have to address there d line though. We need a guy thats going to take the load off of jenkins and demand double teams.
If the jets can find a “John abraham” in this yrs draft this defense will truely be special. -
Eric in StL says:
the big component of LT’s game is his effectiveness as a pass-catcher out of the back-field (I don’t think I’ve seen more than 2 or 3 Jones receptions). you line up a shotgun set with both LT and LW to either side of Sanchez and then line up Edwards, Cotch, and Keller in the slot- you can’t possibly guard all those options. this also gives us a pass-catcher out of the backfield if LW goes elsewhere. i still think NYJ is drafting a power back, I think LT is insurance for LW either not being here or sucking after the injury and is being looked at as a short-term solution.
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jcjets says:
The line alone can’t do it. There were plenty of times last year when we’d all say “It just seems like TJ is slow *getting* to the hole.” Esp when you compared him to Greene, or Leon. And I have a feeling the same will be said for Tomlinson.
I don’t think Shonn needs a mentor..the reason TJ was important was for his leadership to the team..and I seriously doubt that Tomlinson will come in and be a leader on this team. TJ was also super reliable (NEVER fumbled), and above all else productive.
Best bet, to me, would be to draft a rookie in the mid/late rounds that can take some carries ..or sign someone from another team’s practice squad.
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As much as i fear the concussion issue with Pool I like the Pool signing much better than if LT signs here. I am clearly in the minority on my LT thoughts.
If Pool is healthy he is a comparable player to Rhodes with some more toughness….if LT is healthy he has very little upside at this point and his toughness has always been questioned as well as his “so called” leadership
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mole57 says:
It would ironic that he’d be backing up Shonn Greene who mocked his teacup.
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BRENDAN, AKA……..DREW
LT is being brought in here to do things that jones can’t!!!!!
we need LT on 3rd down to be a safety valve for sanchez. Jones can’t do that.
also, i think we let leon sign somewhere else, and we get a second round pick.
are you kidding me?
that is the best part about this. we are giving tannenbaum ammunition with 3 picks in the first 2 rounds. he got greene in the 3rd round last year, and harris in the 2nd round 3 years ago. he’s the anti rich kotite when it comes to draft decisions.
everyone chill out. this is brilliant thinking. does everyone forget that TJ couldn’t carry the load at the end of the year.
my analogy is think marcus allen from KC. everyone thought he was washed up and he played amazing for KC for 3-4 years.
i’m all in on LT. it’s the right move.
YOU BUILD YOUR TEAM WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT YOUR HEART. -
Drew- I’m agree with you on both points. Those concussions are scary though, just not sure how he will play knowing one hit could do it.
Is T.Rich signed for this season?
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alex
I was not a big TJ needed to sign back here guy. I was not against him leaving. This has very little to do with my heart. Like others have stated before I root for the NY Jets not any particular player. I am also one of the biggest Mr T Kool Aid drinkers on the blog….
This is based on my head thinking that LT is done as a player. More like Emmit Smith going to Arizona to get paid and get some yards more than M Allen going to KC. I also think he provides next to nothing as a leader and mentor. Just my thoughts though
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aka…..drew..
i have that same fear. for sure.
but arent’ you concerned about the long term prospects of leon? are we really gonna sign him to a long term deal next year when he is close to 30? -
Let’s not go overboard and release Leon, IF he is healthy he could be the missing piece on Special teams. he’s a game breaker!
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alex
Since Washington will be 29 next year and have zero milage on the tires….I would not be against giving him a 3-4 year deal if he shows he healthy this year.
Look at what C Taylor just got from Chicago and he (while a very good player) isnt near as explosive a player. This is why I draft a RB this year late and if Leon isnt back to normal he walks away next year and we have Greene and another back from this draft.
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Dave75 says:
i like the idea of bringing in LT. I think it’s an ideal situation for him. He can get 10-15 carries a game behind the best O-Line in the league. Then sprinkle in some Leon behind Shonn greenne the workhorse and you have the recipe for success
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BubbyBrister/shovelpass says:
I’m with AKA on this. Wasn’t against the TJ release, and I’m not thrilled with LT2 potentially coming to NY.
Bent – that was a great one about the Ghost….
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Mikey Knows says:
Biggest upgrades LT brings to the table over TJ:
Goal line – LT has a nose for the end zone. How many times have we seen TJ struggle to score from 3 yards or less?
Pass catching – No comparison. LT is a huge upgrade.
I loved TJ (have his jersey and wore it proud) but LT can definitely still be productive in the right role. He has a different skill set than TJ. They’re both slowing down and running out of steam. Neither is good enough to be a feature RB anymore, but LT’s skill set makes him a better compliment to the Jets than TJ’s.
Forget the $. TJ signed for cheap because his diminishing skills are apparent. Same with LT. I wouldn’t expect much more than TJ signed for.
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HOZ THE JET,
Where did you see that written?
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brian311 says:
the jets have turned over a new leaf. the LT signing would be SOJ. i think he could do a few things in the regular season, catch some passes, screens, etc. but the guy cant get it done in the playoffs. just aint gonna happen. this guy looked like a corpse the last 2 years – i cannot imagine him bringing anything to the table during a january 2011 game. PASS
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Cromartie is borderline illiterate – I would take anything that comes from him with a grain of salt.
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Its not like TJ did anything in the playoffs either. He averaged under 3 yards per carry in all 3 games!
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bilal says:
Signing LT would be the would be a bad move for the Jets. I was in favor of the TJ release because he is getting old and didnt show much in the playoffs. Why sign an older guy who looked even worse in the playoffs, crybaby attitude and loves to hear himself talk? Better off drafting a young and hungry RB late in the draft!
with that said… I have a bad feeling LT wont leave today without signing a contract.
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Marvel says:
Mikey Knows
your mean …..
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kc says:
BEN, I hear what you’re saying about LT’s low YPC,but I think the more IMPORTANT stat is that he STILL had 12 touchdowns.
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Marvel,
He really is, I’m not being mean, it’s the truth. This has been well documented. Some say he can only read one or two words per minute.
“Sometimes, the athletes knew exactly what they were up against. She recalls a conversation with one such player in her office at Doak Campbell Stadium.”
“You might as well know right off the bat, I can’t read,” he told her.”
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I agree that signing LT for what TJ signed for in KC (the Jets could’ve matched that) would be a bad move. Although from a PSL standpoint, woody would probably like it as LT is a sexier name. Agree that LT would be better as a 3rd down dump off option, but in the unlikely event that Shonn and Leon both go down at the same time, I’d feel better with TJ carrying the load than LT. Obviously that isn’t an option anymore so I’d prefer to draft someone in the middle rounds, possibly a hybrid fb/rb to eventually take over for T-Rich.
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I am against this because LT is done, end of story, like Emmit and Marcus. Even worse, he is in denial and will not accept a limited roll, no matter what he says now he will not be happy. That is his track record.
He is not and has never been a “mentor” type for a young kid to lean, more protective of his legacy than a team player.
At this point in their respective careers TJ is a better football player than LT.
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i disagree with people saying LT has very little upside. Shonn greene had 60 first down carries last year avg 4.7 ypc and more intriguiging is that he rushed for 9 first downs on first down. On second down he rushed for 9 more first downs on just 38 carries ( 7 of the 9 were on situations under 6 yards to go) Greene will be a force in this league next year. The jets also have leon who works imo a lot better with greene as the feature back instead of jones. The jets can then use LT only in the situations which favor him the most. I think LT can have a great season getting less carries and more catches a game for his team.
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LT WONT carry the load. He’s just a valuable little weapon in the red zone. A third down back who can catch it out of the backfield and make something happen. Yes,not as OFTEN as he used too,but the man did STILL have 12 touchdowns last year and with our 0- line…..why not? As far as calling him a “crybaby” I believe is TOTALLY inaccurate.
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KC – but what happens if Greene goes down (not unlikely considering his history this past year), who would be the feature back, Leon or LT? Would you be comfortable with either? Or do you propose carrying a 4th RB?
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miketaliaferro says:
No.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Am I being clear?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Where are all of the ‘over 30′ is toast crowd? There should be torches and pitchforks all over Florham Park over this. Cries of ‘Outrage!! Outrage, I say!!’
LT was finished before last season. SD was trying to shed him LAST summer. They almost treated him more shabbily than the Jets treated TJ, if that’s possible. They made sure that every SD story had some mention of LT’s being “done, but, gee, isn’t he a trooper for still going out there in a mop-up role and giving his best when he’s got nothing left,” angle. All the way through the Jets game.
You’re actually thinking of replacing a top RB still arguably somewhat near the top of his game even though he is aging, yes, with a high-carry, battered. 30+ RB whose ungrateful last team has been trying to put him on the curb with the trash for two years?
Ben, let me know when the vomitorium is open… I’ll join you.
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JEFFDOLFINI says:
Guys, LT is one of the greatest runningbacks I have ever seen in his prime, but he is done and I really hope that we “lose” out on him. Draft Toby Gerhart in the second round please. What will happen when Shonn Greene gets hurt, would you feel comfortable with LT and Leon back there? It will not longer be Ground and Pound.
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Big W says:
LT is done…. Here is an observation from the AFC West Blogger for ESPN….
http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/11497/a-dissenting-view-on-tomlinson-and-jets
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As much as I HATE to feel/believe/say is that,why does everyone seem to think that Leon is even gonna be able to come back and if he does,is he gonna be the same leon as old?? Has ANYONE in the NFL history or SPORTS history for that matter that had the SAME injury as Leon and come back to EXCELL??
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I honestly don’t know who in football (don’t really care about other sports) has had the same injury as Leon, so don’t know who to compare him to. If you know, please share info.
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EssentialEducator says:
The key with this potential signing is whether LT is really accepting of back-up or situational role with the Jets. He says he is, but players will say anything for money. At the end of the season, LT was saying he believes he is still a feature back and that is one reason why he wanted out of SD if they weren’t going to lose him in that role.
I’m not sure what kind of pass-blocking skills he has, but his pass catching ability would make him a tremendous third down back. Especially if the Jets are going to feature Washington and Greene, LT would be fresh off the bench to catch passes and potentially explode for some draws on third and long. I think the Leon injury hurt Sanchez more than any individual player because he did not have that RB as a safety valve in passing situations, which helps prevents young quarterbacks from taking unneccesary risks downfield.
Regarding the contract, I really don’t care what they pay him this season. I’m concerned with the length of the contract since signing older running backs to long contracts is not prudent. I think 2 years at most, optimally one year.
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Mikey Knows
Uhmmm the guy hasn’t been outta school for a while now do you think he could have ….. I don’t know been practicing the art of reading ? Just a possability . Your still mean .. People do evolve..
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I think Sproles had a complete break of his ankle and missed the 2006 season. Not the same injury but a complete break and the same type of player
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Please don’t deem me illiterate for my grammatical errors . Thanks
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john l says:
LT,TJ,LT,TJ.LT.TJ,LT,TJ,LT,TJ,LT,TJ,LT,TJ,LT,TJ,LT,TJ,LT,TJ,LT,TJ,LT,TJ…………..ENOUGH!…….thomas jones is no longer on the team GET over it and lets move ON!
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Aka…..Drew
I’m no doctor but it seems like breaking a ankle would worse .. Or atleast same .. But you can protect the ankle more post surgery .. So idk ..
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Marvel,
I’m not drawing conclusions when I call him “borderline illiterate”. I’m re-stating what has already been said about him by many people, and is most likely fact.
Calling a blind dog “blind” isn’t mean, it’s fact.
NYC parking Expert,
Steve Smith (Panthers) broker his leg pretty bad back in 2004 and went on to make a full recovery. The general attitude amongst medical professionals is that this type of injury isn’t difficult to come back from – it’s not like ligament and joint injuries where there can be nagging after effects.
His skill set (speedy, small, quick and tough) is similar to Leon’s, so it wouldn’t be ridiculous to think Leon can still be the same player once fully recovered.
That said, there’s a reason he hasn’t gotten a new contract yet. Mikey T needs to see a full recovery before moving forward.
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Sproles broke his fibula, the smaller bone in the lower leg. It’s not close to being as serious as Leon’s injury, because Leon broke his fibula as well as his tibia (the larger, weight-bearing bone).
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john l — “GET over it and lets move ON!”
Agreed. But not if LT is the focus of moving ON.
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I’m MUCH more concerned with Kris Jenkins recovering from his torn ACL.
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SackDance99 says:
I’ll be consistent here. It’s not just LT’s age that bothers me, it’s his touches. I won’t bore all of you citing the same article again, but it’s been documented that RB’s decline after 2,800 “touches” meaning career carries and receptions, including playoffs. LT has a whopping 3,525 touches!!!!
All the guys that Ben Nevis lists above (LT, Westbrook, LJ, Parker and Fargas) are either born in ’79 or ’80. But, all of them, besides, LT are below the 2,800 touch barrier. LT was a tremendous RB and a certain first ballot HOF’er. But, he’s been running on fumes for 2 years now. Larry Johnson has had a couple of years to recover from his ridiculous 416 carry season in 2006, so if the Jets want a premier “between the tackles” RB, I’d consider Johnson. But, I guess if LT was limited to short yardage carries, especially goal line carries, he could be productive. But, having to out-bid Minny for him is nutty.
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Mike,
You have to look at it as TJ’s $5.9 mil vs. whatever LT would get. Once the Jets cut him, we all pretty much knew there was no chance he’d come back, so you can’t measure up to the Chiefs deal.
So, would I rather have TJ at $5.9 mil to carry it 100 times or LT at $2-2.5 mil to do the same, be just as good a blocker, a better receiver? LT at that discount, if it allows the Jets to add more players, is the better move.
There’s no comparison of LT & TJ in terms of career, so I think LT could possibly teach Greene even more about being a RB than TJ could (I mean, LT is a future HOFer).
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i am just getting tired of hearing about how we should have kept jones and mabey we should have but we did not so lets just buckle down and lets go.
J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS -
Mikey Knows,
Jenks tore his other knee’s ACL previously and then came back to have an All-Pro season.
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Thanks Brendan. Still worries me. He’s a big man, and he puts a lot of pressure on those knees. Getting older + surgery on both knees now… Just concerns me, that’s all.
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Brendan
But what about the fact that TJ came back to the Jets to match the KC deal? Again I was not pining for TJ to come back but more than a few sources have stated that the Jets declined to match the KC offer and Tanny didnt deny it this morning
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J Berm says:
i think with our line we can plug LT in there and he would be a great addittion. we forget the line is so important for a back success….look at denver with there zone blocking of years passed….they always were able to plug a rb in there and make them successfull
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I don’t fully believe those reports, to be honest. I think once the Jets cut TJ there was never any hope of bringing him back unless they overpaid.
Either way, TJ is gone so people need to stop comparing whoever is coming in to him. I have never seen so much worry, complaining, and outrage over filling in a team’s 3rd running back position. It’s actually comical at this point.
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Eddie DiGio says:
I just dont think LT is coming here regardless of what Cro’ says… the Vikes will roll out the red carpet for the guy and the Jets simply will tell him “you are the 3rd back and you touch the ball a couple times a game”
LT2 is going to be a Viking
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Jim says:
Everyone is missing the point here. Its not about choosing LT over TJ or that the Jets think LT is the better option for them. TJ did not want to re-structure. He chose to sign a deal with another team. The 2 year deal he signed was less that what we were going to have to pay him for 1 year. If TJ really wanted to be a Jet, he would have re-negotiated, plain and simple. Now its time to move on. We need a veteran RB to help out Shonn and Leon. As much as both have the potential to be great backs, they haven’t proved enough yet where you can feel comfortable going into the season with them and C. Washington. LT is the best vet RB on the market right now. He is the best option for this team at the moment. You are telling me you have 2 unproven, young RBs on this team and you’d rather bring in another rookie who may or may not be able to perform? LT is going to be a 3rd option on this team. He’ll be used in goal line situations and catching passes out of the backfield. I think he has enough talent and drive to get that done. Especially since his main goal is to win a championship before he retires. Everyone is up in arms that he’s giong to come in and be our starter. If that were the case, I’d be with you guys saying they should stay away. However, hes’s being brought in to be a safety valve in case the worst case happens and I don’t think anyone can deny, LT2 as a safeguard is a nice thing to have. So please, everyone stop your whining about TJ, move on like the Jets have, and realize this guy is our best option at the moment. If you really think that Fargas or Mike Bell is better than this guy then please, pass me what you’re smoking because I’d love to try some.
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Green Lantern says:
Fargas isn’t but we might have a little argument with Mike Bell to bad we would have to give up picks. So technically Mike Bell is the best back out there right now but LT is a better situation.
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Latern
I think Mike Bell would be perfect for the Jets…I want him over Fargas or LT2 but I heard he aint coming here cheap….
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Green Lantern, please pass the dutchy to the left hand side.
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Bent says:
Levi – No, T-Rich is still a UFA.
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nyjetsman says:
the reason why this is a good move is that he is a good pass catcher and leon and greene arent exactly the most durable people. The reason why greene was so good was because he was fresh and ran people over. With three solid rb’s greene and leon can stay fresh. LT WOULD BE A PLAYER ON THE JETS.
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Were do u see that cromartie has been telling people of LT to the Jets and just because he is almost illiterate doesnt mean that he cdant communicate I would say he is pretty smart socially if has 7 kids and 6 women.
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nyjetsman – you say “leon and greene arent exactly the most durable people.”
LT isn’t either.
That’s pretty much my only reservation about a potential deal here. If he chooses us, I want him to be healthy all season. The question is, how much is left in the tank and how are his ankles/feet?
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sjfalcon2001 says:
The only player I can remember with a similar injury to Leon is Joe Theisman and the hit ended his career. Now, Theisman’s injury was not a clean break, as I remember it, the fibula was broken in two places, not just one, but both players suffered compund fractures with both bones (tibia and fibula).
Assuming LW heals properly, he may have a better outcome than Theisman because according to reports the break was clean and medical science is much better than it was in the late 80s, but it also isn’t a simple injury. LW will be lucky to get back to what he was.
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Bent says:
“I would say he is pretty smart socially if has 7 kids and 6 women.”
Not sure I agree with that. You probably barely need to evolve beyond grunting if you’re a millionaire professional athlete and his decision making skills obviously leave a lot to be desired.
I agree it’s harsh to call him borderline illiterate, but I guess that was only repeated what others had said.
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he has been a p**** at times but i believe he can effectively relieve greene and leon if something does happen to our feature backs
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aka drew….NOT the same injury. Thats a major detail.
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And for the record, I am okay with LT for one year only if his price is right and we draft someone to replace him this year. Keeping TJ would have been better but not at his roster bonus since his skills are beginning to diminish and I don’t think he would handle the backup role well. He would not be getting 1400 yards rushing next season with Greene stepping up if he stayed. I’m not sure even the Chiefs contract for TJ would have been beneficial for us. LTs skills are definitely diminished and his retirement is coming soon, so he is not ideal, but he could be a one year place holder at the right price.
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i guess girls are running for the thrill of it
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sjfalcon – draft someone to replace LT if he signs? why would we waste a draft pick on replacing a 3rd string RB? we have a #1 back on our roster already, his name is Shonn Greene. signing LT would be a move to create more options for our draft picks so we wouldn’t have to spend one on a RB
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AJ says:
This makes no sense. Why didn’t we just keep TJ?
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Ben Nevis says:
Sack-
You write: “I’ll be consistent here [regarding TJ & LT]. It’s not just LT’s age that bothers me, it’s his touches. . . .it’s been documented that RB’s decline after 2,800 ‘touches’ meaning career carries and receptions. . . . LT has a whopping 3,525 touches!!!!”
Just for the record, Sack:
TJ has a total of about 2,500 touches (including receptions).
That’s about 300 LESS THAN THE 2,800 CUT-OFF POINT YOU CITE.
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Drew-
I know you were an impartial observer in the Thomas Jones Wars, and I thank you for being the voice of reason here, and pointing out over and over again that THE JETS REFUSED TO MATCH THE TJ OFFER FROM KC.
It’s amusing to watch some on this thread deny this—and claim that they don’t believe the “reports” of this—even when you state very clearly that this morning on WFAN, MIKE T HIMSELF COULD NOT DENY THAT THE JETS REFUSED TO MATCH THE KC OFFER.
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So just to be clear: what would sicken me here is if Tomlinson gets paid as much money as—or more money than—TJ is getting from KC.
If that were to happen, it would mean that for the same price, or maybe even less, we could have had a back—TJ—in much better shape than LT and who last year had:
—TWICE as many yards as LT:
TJ: 1,400
LT: 730—a much better YPC than LT:
TJ: 4.2
LT: 3.3—more TDs than LT:
TJ: 14
LT: 12—and much less wear-and- tear mileage than LT:
TJ: 2,500 career touches
LT: 3,500 career touches________________________________________
miketaliaferro-
You write: “Ben, let me know when the vomitorium is open… I’ll join you.”
LOL.
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PSL Sucker says:
I see it like this…
Scenario 1: Retain TJ at 5.8 million for this year.
– Lose Leon as the Jets would be more vulnerable to him signing a RFA contract.
- Draft a replacement for Leon, but also…
- Lose TJ the following year as a re-signing would be even more unlikely at age 33.Scenario 2: Release TJ and free up 5.8 million.
- Sign a replacement (Tomlinson, Fargas, Parker) for 2 years at 2 million per to back up Greene. They can always cut ties after one year.
- Retain Leon with the money saved and draft a later round RB.
- Next year, you have the flexibility to decide if the rookie can take over the backup role and see if Leon has recovered enough to offer a contract.As much as I hate to see TJ leave, scenario 2 leaves us the better options.
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PSL Sucker-
As Drew has pointed out above on this thread (and as I repeated above): THE JETS REFUSED TO MATCH THE TJ OFFER FROM KC.
This morning on WFAN, MIKE T HIMSELF COULD NOT DENY THAT THE JETS REFUSED TO MATCH THE KC OFFER.
Which means that you can throw the one-year $5.8 million number out the window. The KC contract is for $3 million this year, $2 million in 2011.
And if we wind up giving that same money—or even more money!—to LT, well, then we haven’t saved a dime, have we?
And in the process we’re paying that same money for a RB who is, at this stage of his career, clearly inferior.
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Ben,
That refusal to match KC’s offer is speculation. Nothing has been proven or answered directly by either side.
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Brendan-
It’s not speculation when one of the participants in the negotiations—Mike T—refuses to deny it.
Here are the 2009 stats of some of the vet RBs out there now.
(I posted a less complete version of this on another thread, but added in Fargas below.)
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LaDainian Tomlinson :
3.3 YPC
730 yards, 223 att
12 TDs
2 Lost fumbles
20 Rec, 154 yards
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Willie Parker:
4.0 YPC
389 yards, 98 att
1 TD (rec)
1 Lost fumble
6 Rec, 64 yards
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Larry Johnson:
4.4 YPC (Bengals)
2.9 YPC (Chiefs)
204 yards, 46 att (Bengals)
377 yards, 132 att (Chiefs)
0 TDs (Bengals)
0 TDs (Chiefs)
0 Lost fumbles (Bengals)
1 Lost fumble (Chiefs)
3 Rec, 4 yards (Bengals)
12 Rec, 76 yards (Chiefs)
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Brian Westbrook:
4.5 YPC
274 yards, 61 att
2 TDs (1 rush, 1 rec)
0 Lost fumbles
25 Rec, 181 yards
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Justin Fargas:
3.8 YPC
491 yards, 129 att
3 TDs
0 Lost fumbles
17 Rec, 113 yards
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Of the above group:
LT had the worst YPC: 3.3.
Westbrook had the best YPC: 4.5
LT had the most TDs by far: 12
Westbrook had the second highest # of TDs: 2
LT lost the most fumbles: 2 (but he had the most carries)
Johnson & Westbrook lost the least fumbles: 0
LT and Johnson each had over 175 carries
Parker & Westbrook each had less than 100 carries
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LT’s low YPC worries me.
Westbrook’s history of injuries worries me.
Johnson’s history of being an a-hole worries me.
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I like the number of TDs Tomlinson put up, but if we pay him the kind of money Thomas Jones got from KC (or more!), then I think I’m gonna be sick.
TJ had TWICE as many yards last year as LT:
LT: 730 yards
TJ: 1,402 yards
And TJ’s YPC was much higher than LT’s:
LT: 3.3 YPC
TJ: 4.2 YPC
You can say that TJ had a better O line than LT last year, and that’s true.
But Darren Sproles had EXACTLY the same O line as LT last year, and DS had 3.7 YPC—compared to LT’s 3.3.
And in 2007, when our own O line was crap, TJ’s YPC was exactly as high as that of Sproles last year: 3.7.