LT a fit in H-Town
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Feb 7, 2010 12:03 PM CST
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ESPN's Chris Mortensen says the Texans are among the teams that will show interest in LaDainian Tomlinson after the veteran is cut.
Per rotoworld.com
I would not mind this move at all and we would not need to draft a RB then IMO...
your thoughts?
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When will he be cut?
After the draft? During training camp? Last cut? Is it guaranteed that he will be cut? Does San Diego have the guns at RB to afford cutting him?
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
We were just talking about this yesterday..
at the FOX Sports bar I run at Bush Airport. LT would be the short-yardage guy we need. Slaton/Foster could be the slash n dash w/ LT coming in when you need a dependable back who can get you the few yards you need. I am not so sure San Diego had a better OL than the Texans so with him rotating in, I say go for it. Plus, he might come cheaper than some other FA RBs…
"I've never gone into a game trying to win the Heisman Trophy; I go into a game trying to win." - Colt McCoy
LT has a $2 million bonus due March 1 and a $3 million salary next season
The Chargers can buy LT out of his contract for $1 million.
His current contract was renegotiated before last season at the request of the Chargers. He is still a huge fan favorite in San Diego. Besides Darren Sproles, I can’t say they have anyone on the team now to take his place. They would probably have to draft a RB or pick up another free agent RB to take his spot.
IMO, I think the Chargers will spend the $2 million bonus to keep him on the roster until they are sure they have a replacement. If they draft a rookie, they may keep him into training camp until the rookie proves himself. If they pick up a free agent, it depends on who it is. They may cut him sooner. Either way, they may not cut him at all.
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
Don't knock LT
San Diego’s offensive line was worse than the Texans. Sure, LT’s old, but when your rushing offense gets less YPC and YPG than the Texans…well, that’s saying something.
I think LT, if nothing else, would serve as a great mentor for Foster/Rookie with Slaton’s uncertainity we would need to grab a back in the latter rounds. Early in LT’s career, he had fumble issues and corrected them. LT is an all-purpose back and could really help as a player-coach while also being the goal line back and pass blocker. If we had Chris effin’ Brown on the roster than LT is a vast improvement…even if he is no longer the best back in football.
i personally thikn LT
would be a great signing for us for several reasons
1) One less priority to worry about draft time. We can scratch off RB in our draft and focus on our needs (assuming he is cut and signed b4 the draft)
2) Can be a huge mentor for Foster and Slaton.
3) LT can be the back we need to help jumpstart the running game. He can get those goaline carries, and give us 7-12 carries a game!
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Feb 7, 2010 2:33 PM CST reply actions
Really?
The guy is in the bottom 10 on Football Outsider’s rushing stats, and their RBs are 31st in second level running and last in the open field, which suggests an RB problem, not a line problem. My dad is a Charger fan and I’ve been watching them all year; my eyes pretty much agree with this. LT is finished. He was a great player, but he’s finished. Can we stop picking up shitty FA running backs already? LT is done, he’d just be another Ahman Green.
No one’s asking him to be a featured back, but to fill in the role that Chris Brown served (pass blocker/short yardage/goal line). Also to serve as a mentor to the RBs.
Don't forget being shitty at football.
He fits the Chris Brown role to a T.
Why do we need a Chris Brown role again?
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter
The Roller Coaster That Is Texans Fandom
It wouldn’t be a roller coaster of a season if we didn’t have a Chris Brown type back again.
Depends on the price.
I wouldn’t pay more for him than I would for Chester Taylor. And I wouldn’t give either of them more than $3 million per year.
He’s loaded. He’ll probably take a pay cut to play wherever he wants to play. Odds are, that won’t be Houston, although being born and playing college ball in Texas might sway him a bit. Eh who knows. I’d put my money on New Orleans.
Thanks to the whole CBA, going to New Orleans won’t be simple. Final 8 teams can’t sign free agents unless one of theirs is signed away. The Saints have a bunch of FA decisions to make as well.
We wouldn't be an unrestricted FA
he would be a street FA, any team can sign as many players that were cut from their previous team
by nicholas.rodriguez on Feb 7, 2010 9:18 PM CST up reply actions
Wrong.
“During the Final League Year, the eight clubs that make the Divisional Playoffs in the previous season have additional restrictions that limit their ability to sign unrestricted free agents from other clubs. In general, the four clubs participating in the championship games are limited in the number of free agents that they may sign; the limit is determined by the number of their own free agents signing with other clubs. They cannot sign any UFAs unless one of theirs is signed by another team.
For the four clubs that lost in the Divisional Playoffs, in addition to having the ability to sign free agents based on the number of their own free agents signing with other clubs, they may also sign players based on specific financial parameters. Those four only will be permitted to sign one unrestricted free agent for $5.5 million (estimated) or more in year one of the contract, plus the number of their UFAs who sign with another team. They also can sign any unrestricted free agents for less than $3.7 (estimated) million in year one of the contract with limitations on the per year increases.
In the case of all final eight teams, the first year salary of UFAs they sign to replace those lost cannot exceed the first year salary of the player lost with limitations on the per year increases." – NFL.com
LT would be an UFA. New Orleans wouldn’t be able to sign him unless they lost a player.
yea
price is a big issue…
nothing over 3 or 3.5 million for a RB (even LT) or (Chester Taylor)
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Feb 7, 2010 4:42 PM CST reply actions
Didnt we learn our lesson from the A. Green experiment? Running Back is a young man’s game now. The days of the feature franchise back are quickly fading into the distance. The smart tactic now is 3 headed monsters with each back being particularly good in a certain area. Its cheaper to keep drafting young guys and get a few years out of each of them in a committee than to pay big bucks to older guys outside of their prime. I’d rather spend a 3rd round pick on a guy than pay LT.
Be judgmental about the actions of the past, be hopeful about the actions of the future. -The Homers Creed
by DaGoaT on Feb 8, 2010 7:43 AM CST reply actions 6 recs
I agree with this writer
If it happens, there is a reason why the Chargers let LT go. It is because he isn’t worth it.
Also, I can’t stress enough, LT hasn’t been cut yet. The Chargers will need a lot of answers at the RB position to cut him. Darren Sproles is just one answer. Like DaGoat referenced, the three-headed monster….if LT is out and after Darren Sproles, who do the Chargers have?
I have to add, this story has not been acted out yet. If I were to hypothesize, I would say this is partly a media story that is being generated for hits on blogs. I could be wrong. And, the other part….seems to me that the one doing all the talking is LT himself, three weeks before he might get cut for the team to avoid the $2 million bonus. This is a contract that was renegotiated just one season ago. Did LTs skills erode so much that it is worth more to the Chargers to unceremoniously rid themselves of an icon who has been the face of their franchise for nine years? He doesn’t have what he used to, but if healthy, he isn’t completely washed up, IMO. I am not lobbying for the Texans to pursue him. I agree, we are all wary of the injured-veteran-RB. I just am not convinced he will be there to be had, yet.
I think the Chargers have to keep him tied up until at least after the draft. And, if they keep him that long, spending the $2 million to keep him tied up, they might as well keep him through training camp to make sure Plan B works out.
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
Did we learn our lessons? Yes.
However, it seems to be a Smithiak trend: The veteran RB.
If this is going to happen, we may as well cry for LT because, well, he’d be the best option. A done LT is still better than the Chris Brown of the world.
As a mentor, it makes sense: LT had 19 fumbles in his 1st 4 season. He had 8 in his past 5. That’s something he could teach our guys IF he were cut and the Texans did sign him.
Just because they do it
Doesn’t mean we have to like it
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter
If LT wants to become a coach I'm all for that
It’s the part where we suit him up and have him on the active roster I don’t like.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter
We also learned our lesson from the young RB experiment:
fumblefumblefumblefumble.
I don’t really care where the next one comes from, but just make sure he can hold onto the damn rock.
Like Chester "4 fumbles in his last 200 carries" Taylor?
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter
As somebody pointed out to you in another thread.
RBs don’t suddenly develop fumbling problems late in their careers.
And secondly, those numbers aren’t correct. He has four fumbles in his last 284 touches. Math says one fumble per 71 touches, which also happens to be his career average.
If you put our four RBs together this season, they fumbled once per 37 touches. Ouch.
I responded to certain somebody too. Somebody who said those numbers were a fluke.
Were they any more flukish than Slaton’s fumbles after he had virtually no problems at all with it in 2008?
Looked up the stats and you were right (serves me right for being lazy with football reference), but the two fumbles last year both came as a rusher.
I think fumbling is going to be solved more by our friend “regression to the mean” then any actual RB we bring in.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter
Slaton's issues are of a slightly different nature.
Nerve damage and whatnot.
Our RBs have a terrible habit of getting the ball punched out from behind after catching screen passes though, so including fumbles after receptions seems very relevant to me.
Moats and Foster don’t have large enough sample sizes to really be sure about fumbling issues. But either way, Chester Taylor has proven to be relatively sure-handed over the course of 1,000+ carries. I’ve got a lot more faith in somebody who has proven themselves to a certain extent in the NFL than a random rookie.
Feh.
I guess I’d just rather us dig for upside overall. If Taylor was going to be the starter for sure and we knew he had the talent for that role, I have no problem emphasizing his steadiness. Since he’s probably going to be a backup, I’d rather have the combustible product.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter
Awe-man
Dude was a waste from a “inability to get on the field” perspective. But from my vantage point in the south end zone, he easily had the best vision of any RB in team history. NOBODY hit holes better than he did. Wish the dude could have stayed healthy. Not sure if this is a credit to the Awe-man or an indictment of all the other RB’s.
"380 pounds of pure pirogi" ~ Cush
I would rather bring back Ron Dayne. Or even Stacey Mack.
LT is a shadow of his former self, he is done.
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by CFHTim on Feb 8, 2010 1:49 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
…and it just seems like he has managed to under-perform at almost every critical run for the playoffs that SD has had over the last few years. Look for new blood.
The camps are already divided here so let me just say
This is Chris Mortensen people.
He has no insight left. He’s only on ESPN’s staff because his contract isn’t up yet, and his main job is to bring Schefter coffee. This isn’t even a rumor, it’s fourth-hand gossip.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter
No, please no
Let another team overpay for an aging RB whose best years are behind him. We would be better served with a low round pick or even an UFA. Foster was an UFA and he looked halfway decent in the last 2 games.
It took the Astros 44 years to get to the Series, the Oilers-Texans are due to get to the big dance...Go Texans!!!!!
by oiler-texan diehard on Feb 8, 2010 3:39 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Not to nitpick...
But the last two games of the season we played Miami’s 25th-ranked defense and the Patriots without Wilfork or Ty Warren. I’d love for him to be successful, but I’m not going to get my hopes up.
You're not nitpicking at all, that is a very valid observation
and Foster certainly is not a potential feature back, but I just would hate to see Smithiak bring another washed up back like Ahman Green or Chris Brown. We need a fresh young body or two with fresh legs. The shelf life of NFL RB’s is typically very short. Especially, and unfortunately so, when they join the Texans. I would like to see us use a 3rd day pick or 2 on RB’s and use the 1st 3 rounds shoring up the O Line, secondary and/or D Line. Impossible to say if Slaton will contribute in 2010, but I think we will best be served with the running back by committee approach. Foster, Jeremiah, Moats, Slaton (maybe) and a low round draft pick or two to be named later will suffice. Focus the big bucks on signing our FA’s and 1st 2 or 3 draftees.
It took the Astros 44 years to get to the Series, the Oilers-Texans are due to get to the big dance...Go Texans!!!!!
by oiler-texan diehard on Feb 10, 2010 11:12 PM CST up reply actions
LeGarrette Blount in round 4!
Get on the bandwagon!
Potential draft options:
Trade from pick 20 to pick 24-28: Draft OT Charles Brown, gain a late 2nd round pick
2nd: CB Parrish Cox
2nd: NT Cam Thomas
3rd: C JD Walton
4th RB LeGarrette Blount
5th S Harry Coleman
Offensive line shored up, CB added, NT added, power RB added, S added.
It's a beautiful draft, but...
by the trade value chart, we’re going to get at most 200 points, which translates to a third round pick. I still think it would be worth it to move down, but we couldn’t get a great prospect like Cam Thomas.
by theaxeeffect4311 on Feb 11, 2010 1:10 AM CST up reply actions
Thomas is moving up...
he’s still not higher than a mid-2nd.
Yeah, I dunno what we’d get for swaping with a late round team, but who knows? It was just a show that we can fill all those needs if we got creative (and a tad lucky)
Luck is everything
But you are right that a lot of our needs could be filled in the draft and while they may not all start immediately, they have the potential to improve the team. I know that not many players are going to be free agents, but there are a few out there that could fill in as well. Really though, as long as we go CB in the second round, I will consider it a good draft. I’m setting my standards low for this off-season.
by theaxeeffect4311 on Feb 11, 2010 1:45 AM CST up reply actions
I like the concept, but as axeeffect pointed out, you may have slightly overestimated the value of moving down 4-8 slots in Rd #1
You have the correct positions targeted and we should be able to get something like this done if Smithiak is on the same page as you are. That smoke that Kubiak was blowing about being satisfied with his current Guards is just that, smoke. If past indications are a predictor of future performance, he is targeting interior OLine as the #1 priority of the draft. The Baylor center could step in early and the other Brown could slide inside to LG. Caldwell/Brisiel could play RG and our line would be significantly upgraded vs 2009. If we could also get a CB/S and a DT that could immediately get in the rotation, we would have a successful draft. Puncher looks like a good short yardage back, which is what we need to complement our stable of smallish backs. All we need now (as you say) is a little luck.
It took the Astros 44 years to get to the Series, the Oilers-Texans are due to get to the big dance...Go Texans!!!!!
by oiler-texan diehard on Feb 11, 2010 3:04 PM CST up reply actions
I may have overestimated a team's desire to move up...
because I’m going on the assumption that 2 teams will covet the same player which would lead to an additional late 2nd round pick.
Honestly, I trust Smithiak. Every interview with Smith, Kubiak, McNair have the needs all at the same thing: interior offensive line, interior defensive line, RB, CB, and S. No one is suggesting anything that is out there or off the wall. I feel very confident that we’ll, in some way or another, be happy with the outcomes of the offseason.
Hmmmm, lets take a look at who our current RBs are to answer this question shall we??
Steve Slaton – Superman Steve is reportedly undergoing back surgery and will not be ready for the preseason. Steve is coming off of a season in which we saw all of his pre NFL worries come true…fumbles, injuries, not an every down back.
Arian Foster – Foster had two bad games followed by two good games to close out the season. This is all we have on Foster, but he also has fumbling issues and two good games means nothing in the NFL.
Chris Brown – nuff said
I think we should def go after LT. At worst he will be a veteran presence to help our young running backs. If it is an uncapped year than paying him big bucks to get him wont matter.
To all Houston sports fans, Houston is the 4th biggest city in America, there will be traffic on the way to your respective sports game. Come Early, Be Loud, Stay Late.
I'm about to make your day
Chris Brown IS NOT a Houston Texan. His contract expired.
That calls for a celebratory drink!
Foster
Did not have two bad games. He had a game where he touched the ball 3 times, and a game where he looked really good as a reciever and fairly blah as a running back. I’m not saying he is the answer, but lets not go trashing the work he did for this team.
www.manningface.com
by nolander on Feb 9, 2010 10:53 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
he touched the ball 3 times because he fumbled...thats a bad game when you fumble on your third touch
To all Houston sports fans, Houston is the 4th biggest city in America, there will be traffic on the way to your respective sports game. Come Early, Be Loud, Stay Late.
So 1 fumble and he's deemed a bad or unreliable RB?
Top 30 NFL rushers (in terms of yards) all had at least 1 fumble. The average among the 30 was 3. No one’s gonna be fumble free.
I thought all contract went through Feb 28th....
but I will take your word on this one and have a drink!
To all Houston sports fans, Houston is the 4th biggest city in America, there will be traffic on the way to your respective sports game. Come Early, Be Loud, Stay Late.
brain fart
the above post should be a response to TexansDC’s response to my post above
To all Houston sports fans, Houston is the 4th biggest city in America, there will be traffic on the way to your respective sports game. Come Early, Be Loud, Stay Late.
by TexasHoosier on Feb 8, 2010 10:50 PM CST up reply actions
Technicalities...
We should celebrate every day from now to Feburary 28th in honor of Chris Brown’s departure. You can never have too many reasons to drink.
re: Reasons to Drink
We don’t really have to search those out from Sept.-January, now do we?
/Fuck you Chris Brown, Kris Brown, Dunta, and fumbling. Fuck you all.
If the Treasury Secretary doesn't have to pay taxes, then why do I?
And the Leprechaun.
You are banned from Music City Miracles.
Happy Now Tits?
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.
Vince Young - Suicide Doors
Take it from this Charger Fan
LT is going to be cut, because he can’t cut the way he used to. The mental parts of the game are still present, but his body can’t keep up. At this point, he should just retire, but it looks like that isn’t happening.
I would like to see him on some NFC team that never will play the Chargers, but whatever.
I understand that retiring is one option...
But, it seems the recent discussion has been instigated by LT himself and it sounds like he wants to continue to play.
An aside…has anyone thought about how this situation will act out in the face of the current direction that the CBA negotiations are going? If there is no new CBA, then Darren Sproles is a Restricted Free Agent. I don’t know if everyone agrees and I would like to hear from someone close to the Chargers, but I don’t think Sproles has ever proven to be an every down RB. He is more of a situational, screen pass receiver, return guy from what I know about him.
So, let’s say, there is not a new CBA, Sproles is a RFA and the team is in the situation to have the ability to match any offer and keep him. My thought is, with no salary cap, I am not sure the Chargers would be concerned with the $2 million bonus they owe LT that is due on March 1, which happens to be decision day on the CBA, if I am not mistaken. Which translates by my thinking, the Chargers pay the bonus and keep LT under contract at least until draft day in April, when they set their eyes on drafting a RB. Even then, I can’t see the Chargers dumping LT until they are well into training camp. I would like to hear anyone other opinions on this.
Also, let’s say there is a new CBA as of March 1. Sproles becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent and now he can negotiate freely and sign with another team. Wouldn’t the Chargers, at that point be glad to give LT the bonus to keep him under contract? Someone else, please.
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
Is March 1st the Deadline?
It would be good to know when we may actually hear of a deal. I’m hoping for a deal, though it does not look like it’ll come this season. However, if the NFL is all about money, then they cannot allow a stoppage in 2011. With how much money games, playoffs, and the Superbowl brings in, they’d be crazy to let that go, even for a year. But back to the Chargers,
I agree, they would be crazy to make Sproles the starter. In any game that I’ve seen him carry the ball more than 10 times, he averages about 3.something yards per carry. In games where he’s at 10 or under, it’s almost always 5+ yards per carry. They need someone to take the bulk of the load. My guess is that they’ll draft a RB high. However, the likeliness that they’ll keep LT is low if a new CBA is not made because 1. Cap penalties are not an issue and 2. the rules for the off-season without a CBA are different to where a top 8 team (which includes the Chargers) can only sign a number of FAs equal to the number of FAs they let go. So, they could let go of LT to allow themselves to make some moves.
But if there is a new deal, then LT stays with the Chargers. But then, we’d also have more options through FA when it comes to RBs and every other position.
by theaxeeffect4311 on Feb 9, 2010 5:22 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not following all of your logic
If no CBA, then no cap penalties. Why would that make it less likely the Chargers keep LT?
I do agree, with no CBA, the top 8 rules would be out the window, I guess, although are we sure of this? If so, I can see if they can pick up another RB, who in the Chargers’ eyes is better than LT, then sure, go ahead and grab that RB and it is more likely that LT will then be cut. However, the only issue I see with this scenario is that, with no CBA, most of the free agents will be Restricted Free Agents, therefor the chance that the Chargers get that RB is less.
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
and more LT news
Beat writer John McClain says the Texans aren’t interested in a running back that “is on his last legs” like LaDainian Tomlinson.
“They want a young, hungry back who fits their style,” says McClain. Tomlinson will likely find that many teams around the league have this attitude. Look for the Texans to spend an early draft pick on a running back that can pick up chunks of yardage on early downs.
Source: Houston Chronicle
Related: Texans
From Rotoworld.com
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Feb 10, 2010 10:52 AM CST reply actions
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