Tomlinson leaves Vikings, headed to Jets
by KC Viking on Mar 12, 2010 12:10 PM CST
Email
Print
According to Yahoo, star RB LaDainian Tomlinson left the Vikings without a deal and will visit the Jets today.
(Full article after the jump)
By JON KRAWCZYNSKI AP Sports Writer
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.(AP)—The Minnesota Vikings wined and dined LaDainian Tomlinson(notes) on Wednesday night, then spent much of Thursday meeting with the star running back in hopes of pairing him with Adrian Peterson in what would be a big-name backfield.
Tomlinson emerged from Vikings headquarters on Thursday evening with a purple Vikings jersey in hand, but pulled away in a black limousine without a deal in place.
Tomlinson declined to comment to reporters before the limo drove away, but several people with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that the two sides had yet to reach a deal and Tomlinson was headed to the New York Jets for a visit on Friday. Those people spoke anonymously because talks are ongoing with Tomlinson.That doesn’t mean the Vikings have lost out on their first choice to replace the departed Chester Taylor(notes) as the third-down back behind Peterson. But it does show that Tomlinson is being deliberate and thorough in his first foray into free agency after nine mostly brilliant seasons with the San Diego Chargers.
As Tomlinson chases the Super Bowl appearance that has eluded him so far, he has set his sights early on two teams that advanced to the conference championship games in January and also place an emphasis on the running game.
After visiting the Vikings, who lost to the Saints in the NFC title game, Tomlinson will now visit Rex Ryan and the Jets, who fell to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC title game.
With the Jets, Tomlinson would back up Shonn Greene(notes), who emerged in his rookie season and helped make Thomas Jones(notes) expendable in New York. Jones signed with the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this week.
Minnesota lost the dependable Taylor to the Chicago Bears, so it needs an experienced, versatile player behind the All-Pro Peterson. Tomlinson’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and fill in as a capable pass blocker makes him an ideal fit.
"I’m sure he wants to know what our vision is for him and then our sense for him is, will he fit? From a mindset standpoint, from a physical standpoint, from a systems standpoint," Vikings coach Brad Childress said Wednesday about the visit.
Tomlinson was released by the Chargers in February. After being drafted in 2001, he skyrocketed to stardom and helped put the Chargers back on the map. He ranks eighth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 12,490 yards. His 138 career touchdowns rushing rank second, and his 153 total touchdowns rank third.
But he never reached a Super Bowl in San Diego and age and injuries started to take their toll in recent seasons. Tomlinson will turn 31 in June and is coming off the least productive season of his career. He had 730 yards rushing on 223 carries for an average of 3.3 yards per carry, all career lows. He still managed to score 12 touchdowns, but his role was reduced in an offense that shifted its focus to Philip Rivers(notes) and the passing game.
With Peterson already in Minnesota, Tomlinson would not have to be the every-down, do-everything player he was with the Chargers. But the reduced role could put him in a position to get that first Super Bowl.
"It’s the old close but no cigar. That’s what comes to mind," Childress said. "I’m sure as he’s surveying the landscape of people that are approaching he and his agent, that’s always something. You don’t really want to go somewhere and get your brains beat out. You want to go and have a chance to win and compete and win that ultimate prize."
The role could fit him well at this stage of his career. He is an excellent route runner and superb pass catcher, two things Peterson is still working on heading into his fourth season.
Tomlinson also could be intrigued by the possibility of taking handoffs from Brett Favre(notes). The quarterback is still mulling whether to return for a 20th NFL season.
Favre’s return could give the Vikings a slight edge over the Jets, who will have Mark Sanchez(notes) returning for a second season under center after a promising rookie year. But the Jets’ stellar offensive line and the fact that they play on grass and not artificial turf, could be attractive for Tomlinson as well.
It was unclear on Thursday night when Tomlinson would make a decision, or if he has any more visits scheduled after the Jets.
<!-- 1268374837-0000012497 1268374843 -->
This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.
18 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I'll take LT
over Young and Johnson. I just haven’t been impressed with either in the limited preseason action I’ve seen them in.
I believe in our guys if the coaches believe in them
I just haven’t seen any indication that they do. But we’ll see.
Listen to this KFAN interview today . Childress talks up Albert Young.
by medicineball on Mar 12, 2010 3:19 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not banking on it this year
If BF returns we have one more legit shot at the Super Bowl. Don’t want to do it with unprovens. We’ll be riding on enough 2nd year guys as it stands in starting roles.
LT or Westbrook will be needed.
Not saying we will fall off the map but we will nedd to build around a new QB after this year. Probobly a rookie we draft this year. Unless McNabb comes in as a FA next year.
I just think our best shot is now. Pat W will likely retire so some rebuilding will need to be done at spots. This is where I wish we could get Kennedy resigned. He really showed some stuff at the end of the year. Calll it maturity but Kennedy should be a guy we try to keep if he doesn’t get big $ somewhere else. I hope they told him to call back and see if we can match the offer. Phat Pat will be big shoes to fill. Kennedy is experienced and we won’t need to groom a rookie.
Unless ya wanna move up and get shu
by CitrusFLViking on Mar 12, 2010 3:26 PM CST up reply actions
As Spielman said. We want Tomlinson to make up his mind after he knows everything thats available.
We do not want him to come here and than be unhappy. But I’m with you MB. I like our bench. Lets just bring the season on.
Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes
Draft
Really, the Vikings should be able to find a decent 3rd down/backup RB somewhere in rounds 2-5. With AP having a lower ypc each season and several games without 4.0 ypc last season (plus his partially torn knee ligaments), it would be good to add a youngster who can fill these roles.
There are reasons that Young and Johnson haven’t been able to crack the active roster very often, even in garbage time.
Um their names are AD and CT
How many backs do you think could crack past them? I can think of a couple backs starting for other teams that couldn’t start past them. Heck I can think of pretty much EVERY other back that wouldn’t start in front of AD… I don’t think you can hold them to that fire and be fair.
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
Mewelde Moore
…was good enough to be active for at least 12 games in 2007, and Chilly didn’t even like him.
Siefert says:
Speaking Friday morning on KFAN Radio, Minnesota coach Brad Childress said LaDainian Tomlinson’s decision to visit the New York Jets isn’t “necessarily” a sign he won’t ultimately join the Vikings. If Tomlinson does sign, Childress said he would be “1A” to Adrian Peterson’s “1” in the Vikings’ backfield.
Partial transcripts of the interview can be found on the Vikings’ Web site and also that of the Star Tribune.
Asked about Tomlinson’s departure Thursday from Minnesota, Childress said:
“I think that a lot of times when you only have one person involved the agents don’t like that game and a lot of times they take them and — what shall I say? — create the atmosphere that there’s [interest] somewhere else. And there may be, in fact, [interest] somewhere else. But something to drive the deal. He gave [the Jets his word he would visit] and he is a man of his word and it wasn’t like I was going to throw myself down in front of the road. He was kind of fact-finding. He’s going to go back home and speak to his wife in San Diego and then we’ll figure it out from there.”
Childress said he arranged for Tomlinson and Peterson to speak via phone Thursday.
“I really look at it as a guy that if we were fortunate enough to get him you would have a 1 and 1A,” he said. “[Tomlinson] understands that dynamic. … I think there’s a tremendous admiration of one toward another. But he can do all the things that he needs to do in this offense. He reminds you of a guy like a Brian Westbrook, who was probably one of the premier guys in terms of moving around the formation as the widest guy in the slot, lined up next to the tackle, as a single back, motioned out of the backfield. And then carrying it out of that ‘I’, too. That’s where he’s made most of his money.”
Assuming Tomlinson follows his expected timetable, we could be a few days from learning his final destination.
Will be interesting to see how this plays out.
I BELIEVE...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Mar 12, 2010 2:10 PM CST reply actions
Some mocks
have Golden Tate falling to 28. Draft Tate and trade Barrian for a high 2nd rounder. Most have us taking Wilson out of Boise but his stock is rising.
POUNCEY is the guy from FL I was thinking of. He has moved up a lot. Minnesota could do worse by grabbing him at # 2. OT’s are hot again this year. See what is available later as a sleeper bu tfor now we could shore up the inside of the line now and then look at OT later in the draft to take Mckinnys place. We need a guard and we could proboly get one of the best available with #29 pick. This kid is good and as said, he plays center too.
Some are questioning Sullys blocking skills and strength. Could be he needs another year to work out kinks. if not you got the best guard and best center available in Pouncey.
Then see where Gerhardt and Decker fall in later (if we don’t sign LT or Westy
Tate is 5’10. He will be a slot receiver and return man.
I agree about Pouncey. He is from a zone-blocking scheme and would be awesome.
OT’s we could get include Anthony Davis, Charles Brown, Jason Fox, Roger Saffold, Jared Veldheer. Fox might be interesting. Brown will be taken in the 1st round, and sense he would only add depth, we wouldn’t want to take him in the 1st.
Decker is 6’3 and could be on the Vikings’ radar. He would add depth.
by medicineball on Mar 12, 2010 3:44 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think Pouncey will be available to us on the second round.
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
Jim Rome
Is publicly telling LT that Minn is his best fit.
Oh. We don’t sign an RB how about Javon Best the burner from Calif.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
