January 1, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Mike Tolbert (35) tries to run past Oakland Raiders linebacker Aaron Curry (51) in the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 38-26. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

If Mike Tolbert‘s contract with the Carolina Panthers tells us one thing, it is that the market for free agent running backs is about as soft as Eli Manning in a bar fight (I can only assume). According to a report by Mike Florio of Profootballtalk.com Tolbert received a four year deal worth approximately $10 million with incentives, including a $2 million signing bonus and $700,000 salary for 2012.  Tolbert has 19 TD’s in the last two seasons, which puts him in a category with guys like Marshawn Lynch (18 TD’s), Michael Turner (23 TD’s), and believe it or not CJ2K (15 TD’s).  I know, I know, Tolbert is not a primary back with the rushing yards to compare with these other guys right?  Wrong, Tolbert is a TD machine and does exactly what he  is supposed to do;  Crash head first into the end zone from five yards out or catch the dump off from the QB and uses a low center of gravity to bowl over frustrated and bruised defenders.  Then why is this a guy making $2 million a year?  Its simple, the NFL is no longer a RB dominated league and its becoming more and more obvious.  Philip Rivers and Eli Manning were locked up to the tune of $11-$16 million a year not so long ago, Mark Sanchezis right in there at about 10 million, and we all know what Peyton just got from Denver ($90 million for 5 years).

Dec 5, 2011; Jacksonville, FL, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Matthews (24) celebrates with tight end Randy McMichael (81) after scoring on a 31-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter at EverBank Field. The Chargers defeated the Jaguars 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Now, you have an upper echelon of running backs who are still recieving big contracts and who will get big money deals in the future but they are becoming a smaller group every year.  I have the distinct feeling that Ryan Matthews will have to continue to improve and assure the coaches he can stay healthy an entire season by actually doing it.  Then and only then will he be getting anything close to the tune of $6+ million per year.

So the QB’s are getting paid, the running backs on  the other hand are just trying to land a decent gig it would appear.  Jackie Battle left the Chargers facility without a deal today per the San Diego Union Tribune, and guys like Michael Bush, Cadillac Williams, Brandon Jacobs and BenJarvus Green-Ellis are still flying around the country trying to get a job.  Now, there’s no doubt these guys will be employed sooner or later but at what price tag?  You can bet your last bag of Gummy Bears that it won’t be anywhere near the $20 million dollar deal DeAngelo Williams scored from the Panthers last year, and go head and bet those sweet little treats again that they will be paid like a bunch of place kickers. Doesn’t really seem fair considering that running back is known for it’s 30 year old production slips and brutal hits from ravenous linebackers does it?

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January 1, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back

The Chargers will need to find a backup for Ryan Mathews this offseason since it seems that Mike Tolbert will be on the move. One of the options that is mentioned in Kevin Acee’s latest article is Raiders RB Michael Bush:

The Chargers will likely go looking for a veteran such as Cadillac Williams to back up Ryan Mathews. Michael Bush, who they tried to get via trade a few years ago, is also a possibility.

The Chargers wanted to get Bush a few years back as a backup to LaDainian Tomlinson, but were not able to swing a deal. He is now available in free agency and could be a guy that we want to bring in. He is a tough inside runner and has a nose for the end zone.

He is similar to Mike Tolbert as a running back. Wouldn’t it make more sense to just bring back the Toldozer since he is familiar with the players in the locker room and the playbook already?

Which Mike would you rather have? Tolbert or Bush?

I was going to put some highlights of Bush on here, but I couldn’t stand watching a Raiders jersey for that long… PLUS he had too many highlights against us!

Instead, let’s just watch Mike Tolbert run over 49er Dashon Goldson:

Source: YardBarker.com

The San Diego Chargers went into this game with a 4 game winning streak and also have won 18 straight games in the month of December. The Chargers were supposed to play the Kansas City Chiefs in a battle for first place in the AFC West. The San Diego Chargers were a streaking train that was looking to close out the season with their usual come from behind winning streak, but first they had to get through the Oakland Raiders. The same Oakland Raiders team that beat them earlier in the season. (more…)