There will be a new face to the franchise this coming season. Our city has gone from sunny to somber with the departure of LaDainian Tomlinson. I for one am probably going to be sad until draft day, if not longer. I will never forget those moments he shared with us. Like, for example, breaking the single season rushing touchdown record.
He was our golden boy. He came to San Diego after a phenomenal career at TCU to make us great again and he did just that. When I think of L.T., I don’t think about hist last couple years that were spent either on injured reserve or in a reduced role. I think about how he put the city on his back. He came to a town with championship dreams, and a team that was less than hopeful, to shatter all expectations and any adversity that he was faced with was taken in stride.
Now, the time has come for him to move on and say, “My work here is done.”
The Chargers are not the same team, anymore. We’ve gone from a dominant running team to a prolific passing regime in the blink of an eye. Plus, carries were now being split between L.T. and Darren Sproles. The offensive line just isn’t asserting the running game anymore, either. Tomlinson and Sproles averaged between 3.4 and 3.7 yards per carry, respectively.
This season, Tomlinson is going to running back heaven. He has just signed a two-year deal with the New York Jets and I expect him to make the most of it. Especially, since New York has one of the top rushing offensive lines in the wide world of football. I expect him to have a big season or two ahead of him. With new fire, and new passion, L.T. will prove that he isn’t done yet.
I for one, will continue to watch him closely until he decides to hang up his cleats. He deserves nothing less after what he has done for this city. He is a hero to the working people of San Diego, and he always will be.
Also moving to New York from San Diego is Antonio Cromartie. Head coach Rex Ryan loves his top-tier defense and Cromartie will get the chance to prove himself as an elite defender. Revis Island may have a new neighboring chain in the Cromartie-Cays. You never know. Hopefully, he won’t get distracted in the off-season and start another distracted year knee-deep in paternity lawsuits.
LaDainian is a great person and a great player. He gave us everything he could and even came back to give a little more. He will continue to get my full support no matter what colors he is wearing next season. I regret that he left San Diego without a Super Bowl ring. He still wants it. He may just get it! You never know. I certainly hope so.
Join me in wishing him nothing but the best. He deserves nothing less.