While We’re Waiting… LeBron’s Treys, Paxson’s Anniversary, and Choo’s Obligation
February 23, 2010Spring Training Update: Sowers Shoulder Hampers His Shot
February 23, 2010
Before anyone gets to excited about the prospects of signing future hall of famer LaDainian Tomlinson, I thought I would serve as resident wet blanket. It isn’t something I like to do, but it is important, I think. I would love nothing more than to have the opportunity to get a hall of fame running back on the Browns with some productivity left in the tank. It is also possible that Tomlinson could have one more serviceable year somewhere down the road. But, as a Browns fan, I wouldn’t bet on it with a contract.
A lot of you might be saying to yourselves, “Isn’t Tomlinson better than anyone else we have on our roster right now?” Based on the way Jerome Harrison finished last season, I would say maybe, maybe not. Either way, this was also the reasoning that was used over the last few years with regard to Jamal Lewis and his ever-declining ability to run over the line of scrimmage. As they say, you need to learn from history so you don’t repeat your mistakes. In this case, I want us to learn from history so we don’t repeat Phil Savage’s mistakes. Bringing Jamal Lewis to Cleveland wasn’t a mistake. Signing Lewis to a three year deal was, however. Lewis had just run for 1300 yards in a 10-6 season, but a three year deal was still a bad bet on Savage’s part.
This brings me to LaDainian Tomlinson and oddly enough Edgerrin James. Last year when Edgerrin James was available, I wrote about running backs, age, and most importantly mileage. Running backs hit a wall and rarely recover. In the case of Edgerrin James a year ago, I believe he had almost 3000 career carries on his legs. With those types of numbers under his belt you just had to stay away. LaDainian Tomlinson is 5’11” and 220-ish. He has almost 2900 career carries. He is coming off a career low 3.3 yards per carry average for a very good San Diego team. He is 30 years old. Adding all those together, Tom Heckert, Mike Holmgren and the boys should really stay away from Tomlinson unless he wants a one year deal or something like that.
And even considering Tomlinson would sign a one year deal, do you really think he would want to take a shot with Cleveland? Wouldn’t he be more likely to try to sign with New England where he could replace resident arthritic Fred Taylor? At least there with Tom Brady he might give himself a chance to win the Super Bowl.
Anyway, sorry to burst any bubbles out there with any potential rumor mongering regarding LDT, but I just don’t see it.
33 Comments
You made the point at the end. He wouldn’t come here anyways.
Says he wants a championship, and we all know it’s not happening here.
Please no. We’re going to be bad next year, I’d rather give the young RBs the reps.
Like you mentioned, he’s not coming here anyways. He has way better options out there.
Thank you for writing this. I had to make this point to my friends several times yesterday. Although, with Cleveland’s history of getting players when they are past their prime, I wouldn’t be surprised if they try. But they shouldn’t pursue him at all.
And like Lyon pointed out, you made the point at the end. We’re not even on his long list of potentials.
I have no problem with the Browns picking up Troy Smith, or Tim Tebow.
Brady Quinn needs the boot.
Anyone who realistically wanted the Browns to pick up LT is an idiot. I appreciate the article, but it’s kind of one of those “so obvious it didn’t even need to be written” type deals. Browns need to focus on building a young core that can start to play well together. LT is such a baby/prima donna, you’d almost think he was a WR. I don’t think we have to worry about Heckert buying this fools gold.
@Oppie- I agree. If we’re not competing, then why not use this down year to prepare some of the young players. Let them get used to the speed of the game.
Same as the Indians, why bring in Russ Branyan when you have Marte, Laporta, Valbuena, Brantley, Santana, and Rivero all fighting over at bats?
Yeah, I would hope anyone smart enough to read this website would also be smart enough to realise LT is a walking disaster. Age + mileage + rebuilding team = a big mess. No thank you.
Forget LT. I’m holding out for Mallett. Or Locker if Mallett’s gone.
Oh and LT averaged 3.3 yards a carry last year.
I just remember that playoff game against the Patriots when he sat on the sideline with his helmet on.. I think he fumbled the ball… they he complained about the Patriots players mocking Merriman’s sack dance.. he said it was classless…. How isn’t it classless when Merriman does the dance?
The Walrus and Heckert are smarter than this.
Ditto to Tron, this shouldnt even be an article.
NFL Free Agency: Browns Should Avoid LaDainian Tomlinson
He is coming off a career low 3.3 yards per carry average for a very good San Diego team.
/submits article
//pop beer congratulating self for job well done
@Swig, I’m worried about you. You may have a problem.. It’s 10:40 A.M. EST…. It’s a little to early to be drinking
Haven’t even read the article yet, but I totally agree. If we try and get him it’d be J-Lewis 2.0. Ugh.
Can I use this space to rant?
I’m sure there are people who would think this is a good idea. It baffles me that in this day and age such horrible misinformation is passed around. It aggravates me even more how horrible the announcers are. They recite during games ad nauseum what might have passed as a newspaper headline 2 YEARS AGO, but has since be repeatedly disproven.
Hey Reggie Miller and Stan Gundy (sorry I’m in NBA mindset), if you’re going to mail in your research at least use some of that massive paycheck to hire some kid to scour the internet for something that might pass as original. You’re more infuriating than LeBron chucking up 3s.
/rant
@Matty, you’re right. If I’m drinking before noon and getting all riled up it’s going to give me a heart condition
Amen Swig. One think I noticed about the USA / Canada Hockey match is that the announcers ACTUALLY CALLED THE GAME!
I really like how ESPN kept showing JVG’s garbage resume on the screen every time he started spewing his b.s.
/rant concluded.
I like the rants.. keep them coming, if it’s ok with WFNY
@Swig don’t take sports fans’ intelligence for granted. Every site in the world and tweeter was talking about LT. Would it be a good idea for the Browns? Polls everywhere.
I didn’t write this in a vacuum. I know it seems obvious and all, but people were actually debating this yesterday on Cleveland.com, Twitter, Facebook and some blogs that I am sure I missed.
Title should have been..
“NFL Free Agency: LaDainian Tomlinson Should Avoid Browns”
Dude needs a ring, just please not in the AFC North
The Browns signing LT is about as stupid as if the Indians went out and re-signed Russell Branya…..er, nevermind.
Good point Craig. Guess I’m spoiled from hanging out here too much.
lol @ Christopher
Hey if the Cavaliers can get Shaq 10+ years after he was actually good why can’t the Browns sign LT? I mean it’s not like LT could have ever been drafted by Cleveland in the first, oh wait my bad, place!
“Anyone who realistically wanted the Browns to pick up LT is an idiot,” can we add Troy Smith to the list, please??? đ
Btw nice pic the great future Hall of Famer Eric Wright in his usual position of chasing down a ball carrier from behind. A position he has so far made a career of since being drafted by your Cleveland Browns.
“Browns should avoid LaDainian Tomlinson”
They sure did when the Chargers came to play this year. Ba-zing!
“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.”
Tomlinson said this in an interview with SI. I think we can safely say we won’t have to worry about signing Jamal 2.0.
Brian Westbrook just got cut from the Eagles, perhaps we can use him on the Browns?
No thanks I knew he was done a few years ago.
i think we should go for westbrook
Westbrook would be a nice compliment to Jerome Harrison I could see that as a nice 1-2 punch.
Westbrook would be horrible…he’s worse than fragile Fred Taylor. They both might as well be made of glass.
For the love of God, let Harrison prove his worth. Why do we allow people a second to show their worth, then let them go elsewhere to blow up? Leave LT alone. Please.