LT is scheduled to visit us on Thursday

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson will make a free-agent visit Thursday to the Minnesota Vikings, according to Sports Illustrated.

Tomlinson could be a replacement for Chester Taylor, who signed a four-year, $12.5 million deal with Chicago on Friday. Tomlinson was released by San Diego, so he wouldn’t count toward the restrictions the Vikings are facing in free agency as one of the final four teams in the playoffs.

Tomlinson averaged 3.3 yards per carry last season and there are concerns about his explosiveness after nine years and 2,880 carries in San Diego. But as a third-down back, the role the Vikings must fill with Taylor gone, he could be a good fit in Minnesota. He has 530 career catches, averaging 59 catches per season.

In terms of ball security, Tomlinson has lost 12 fumbles in his career, so his ability to hang onto the ball could be attractive for the Vikings. Starter Adrian Peterson has lost 13 fumbles in three seasons.

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_14641127?source=rss&nclick_check=1

I think LT could be a good 3rd Down back. My only question is could he be an option for Favre to throw to like Chestor Taylor was?

Otherwise I would LOVE this move!

Plus think of all the jersey sales…….

I am so pumped…I know he is deteriorating in the last couple years, but LT is a stud who rarely fumbles. We need to get this deal done, Adrian needs someone to help him make sure he won’t lose the ball any more.
LT is a great receiver in the flat and he also can throw for a few too…could definetly help out if we want to continue to explore wildcat with harvin.

about not staying in house with Young and Ian J. then I would like to see a deal with
Seattle for Forsett!

My kneejerk reaction is to say Tomlinson’s done, and roll the dice with Westbrook. But is LT done? Tough to say. True, his YPC was way down, but he had a better average receiving (7.7) than Westbrook did (7.2). True, LT had 20 receptions in 14 games, and Westbrook had 25 in 8 games. But LT is durable, and Westbrook isn’t.

I think LT, if used properly, can be a good addition to this team. We might find out.

all this talk was happening around this time this year about sir brett, also consider this, LT won’t be starting. He is going to be in a limited role. Just take that into consideration.

Can his ego handle the small role he’ll play ?

Will he talk smack to the media when AP goes on a fumble-spree ?…..schism

Could LT carry the load if AP were to get hurt for a few weeks ?….doubtful

I wonder if we wouldn’t be better off with the young talent we have waiting on the practice squad.

I think that LT would be a better deal than Westbrook to replace CT as a 3rd down back. I am not looking to much into this meeting, who knows if LT will sign as a Viking.

because this is the kind of move that will put the franchise into despair in 1-2 years, i think they are built to win now, which i am for, but the next few years means rebuilding right? couldnt we find/draft a young unproven guy? think about it, its the same question will he perform better than last year (college vs san diego) at least with a young guy if he developed we could have a building block. LT is merely a finger in the levee.

If LT can accept his role and perform better than he has been, then this could work well. But I’m not sure that will happen. I’d really prefer seeing how Young and Johnson perform.

What happens if they give him close to what Chester got?

Many guys just need a scenery change. LT was bumed after a "mediocre1200 yd season. Along comes Sproles, young and pumped.
This is not Shaun Alexander. Look at a lot of good player marked “washed up” they got a new lease and pulled out a coupel productive years. Roger Craig and LeRoy Hoard when they came here. Were they superstars anymore-no. Did they seem to have a new fire in assumig a role. LT could never imagine not being #1 back in SD. But here, he knows what his role is and may just find that fire. If so-WOW!
Also look at Sharper. He looked ready foor retirement his last year here. He goes to NO and feels he can be something special again.
Point is, alot of this is in these guys head. If LT can bang off 700-800 yds rushing and 40-50 grabs out of the backfield I wouldn’t complain at all. Even a little less than that. If he picks up key TD’s when he sniffs the end zone this could be one of the best running back duo in Vikings history.
What do we have to lose. He bites the big one and we go on to young and Johnson which is our only alternative anyway. Unless you think we’ll go after Gerhart in the draft (who I like) but that won’t happen. I don’t want to rely on young talent this year. We have one more year left of Brett and then back to grooming a QB/ It may be now or a long time.
Go for it Vikes-sign LT. Little money and big incentives will light his fire. At least he won’t miss a half a season like Westbrrok probobly will. Then again I would gamble on Westy if we don’t ink LT

If he sign we are set. I live in SD. SD does not run the ball well. They line is not a run blocking line. With our line LT will be better. Get it done.

I like the move and I hope they sign him but that would be a signal that something more than money was going on with Chester’s desire to leave.

In the end I think it was also about playing time for Chester.

 
Signing LT would be a wise move.

 He basically said we are not rushing anything. We have 22 starters coming back and we are going to do the best we can to fill in the gaps whether that be FA or the draft or both.

Sounded like a man going about his business, not panicking, just doing what he does best.