LT

[bassNspear]

sounds like hes goign to look at jets, and then make a decision. Hopefully they make it work so we have #21 here

[Scott K]

Quote:

The Jets are reportedly willing to match for free agent LaDainian Tomlinson the deal Kansas City gave Thomas Jones.

The contract offer would be $5 million over two years, and the Jets are reportedly willing to exceed that number though incentives. The decision is curious because Jones is obviously the better player at this stage of his and LT's careers. Jones averaged 4.2 yards a carry last year; LT was at 3.3.

[Born2Fish]

Well that does not bode well for him wearing purple this coming season.

[walleyes12]

Anyone know what the Vikes offered him?

[Scott K]

Quote:

Profootballtalk.com has "caught wind of a rumor" that free agent LaDainian Tomlinson will sign with the Jets.

PFT's Mike Florio cautions that this is not a report, but Tomlinson's visit to New York has been extended into Saturday. With the Jets, Tomlinson could battle Shonn Greene for goal-line duties and serve as third-down help in the event Leon Washington (compound leg fracture) isn't ready for opening day.

[zepman]

The Jets must be offering more $$$$. It's all about the $$$ AND the Jets have a much better O-Line than the Vikes.

Jets make alot of sense for an aging back like LT. IMO, they are as close to gaining a Superbowl appearance as anyone next year.

[FISHINGURU]

Not saying he will or will not sign with the Jets but don't read to much into the hype because he stayed there last night. There were zero flights leaving to the west coast, let me repeat 0 flights, so unless he wanted to walk home he had to stay.

[bassNspear]

let me ask you guys this, wouldnt you think he would want to go to a team that he might have a chance at being the #1 back. It would be awesome to see him come to the vikings and back up AP, but i think he still has it in him that he is still a #1 back in the NFL!

[Randyjr.]

And you are absolutely right in saying "he" thinks he still has it in him.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Quote:

Report: Tomlinson signs with Jets

Posted by Chip Scoggins

Last update: March 14, 2010 - 5:55 PM

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that LaDainian Tomlinson has signed a two-year contract with the Jets. The Vikings made a similar contract offer as the Jets, according to an NFL source.

Tomlinson will share the workload with Shonn Greene next season.

Several media outlets reported earlier today that Tomlinson was close to signing with the Jets and now it appears that it's official. Tomlinson visited the Jets on Friday after visiting with Vikings officials the previous day.

The Vikings were hoping Tomlinson would become their No. 2 running back to fill the void left by Chester Taylor, who signed with the Chicago Bears.

That search will now continue and it will be interesting to see if the Vikings turn their attention to former Eagles running back Brian Westbrook. We have heard the Vikings believe Westbrook's injury history is too much of a concern and that they don't believe he has much left in the tank.

The Vikings could look internally to fill that role. We know the team is encouraged by the progress that Albert Young has made. Young might be one option or the Vikings also could look for help through the draft.

Whatever happens, it's clear that Adrian Peterson is going to have to assume some of the things Taylor did on thrid down as far as receiving and pass protection. The Vikings need him to be on the field more on third down and one would think he should be better in that area as he gets more experience.

It's crazy how much can change in 24 hours during free agency. Tomlinson sounded like a guy who had already mande up his mind when Judd talked to him after his dinner with team officials Wednesday night.

"[They are] very close," he said. "They are right at the top of the situation I was looking for when I first said I want to go somewhere and have a chance to win a championship."

Asked what he needed to hear from the Vikings during his visit, Tomlinson said: "I think it's a feel that you have to have. It's not necessarily anything you're going to hear because I've heard what I like to hear. I have a role on this team. I think it's a feel that you have to have."

[FISHINGURU]

LT'S days of being a #1 elite back are gone, he should do pretty good on the Jets though, he would of been awesome here in the role we were hoping for, LT would of been fun but he wasn't a dire need like some other positions we need to fill.

I still have faith in Albert Young, we could look to the draft or still sign a decent back up like Willie Parker.

[zepman]

LT probably made the right decision...the Jets O-line was probably the difference maker...plus he probably feels like he can beat Green out. Here, AP is the guy...no doubt about it.

How about a guy like Toby Gerhart in the 3rd or 4th? Tough kid who could play some FB too. He would be a great special teams guy. Great change of pace from AP too.

[Randyjr.]

Here's on scouting report on Toby Gerhart. Sounds like a tough kid.

Quote:

By: Mark Dulgarian

One of the best stories in college football this year has to be Stanford running back Toby Gerhart. He was absolutely dominant all season. For starters, if you like numbers Gerhart definitely caught your attention. The former Gatorade High School Player of the Year amassed 1736 yards and 26 touchdowns through 12 games this year. With only two games rushing for under 100 yards (82, 96), the senior running back is atop many Heisman lists.

And its not like he’s playing against cupcake defenses. Versus USC-still a talented defense despite their recent performances-Gerhart rumbled for 178 yards and 3 touchdowns on 6.1 ypc. The week prior, Gerhart was even more impressive as he shredded Oregon’s stingy defense for 228 yards and 3 touchdowns. Numbers and accolades aside, Gerhart is also coach favorite. Jim Harbaugh has essentially built the Stanford offense on the back of Toby Gerhart and he has carried it to an 8-4 record and contributed to their 36 points per game average- 2nd best in the Pac 10. His hard-nosed grind-it-out style of play is contagious. But he is more than just grit.

He has a unique skill set similar to that of Brandon Jacobs of the New York Giants. He has linebacker size at 6-1 235 and is deceptively fast. He is a fantastic athlete, especially for a guy his size, and it really shows in his body control, quick cutting ability, and burst through the hole. Gerhart displays good footwork and is an overall fluid runner. He is also fantastic in pass protection and really shows great effort in that area. What scouts really like is his stamina and effectiveness through all four quarters. Coaches really like a running back that will run just as hard in the fourth quarter as he does in the first.

NFL teams are concerned Gerhart will opt to play baseball since he projects as a top prospect in that arena (yet another attribution to his natural athleticism). But if he sticks to the gridiron, Gerhart is an ideal prospect for a pro team looking to add toughness to their backfield and enhance their power rush attack.

http://www.nflhouse.com/rankings/scouting-reports/toby-gerhart-report.html

There isn't much left right now for FA's.

[zepman]

He would look good in Purple!!

[bassNspear]

LT'S days of being a #1 elite back are gone, he should do pretty good on the Jets though, he would of been awesome here in the role we were hoping for, LT would of been fun but he wasn't a dire need like some other positions we need to fill.

I still have faith in Albert Young, we could look to the draft or still sign a decent back up like Willie Parker.

I still feel that LT could be a #1 back if he can stay healthy. I think the talent that he has is enough talent to get him to be a #1 back.

[Randyjr.]

Some other FA Running Backs, available as of yesterday.

- Mike Bell

- Ahman Green

- Willie Parker

- Leon Washington

- Brian Westbrook

- Cadillac Williams

[PierBridge]

The Jets must be offering more $$$$. It's all about the $$$ AND the Jets have a much better O-Line than the Vikes.

Jets make alot of sense for an aging back like LT. IMO, they are as close to gaining a Superbowl appearance as anyone next year.

We offered more money actually. At this point in his career it's about playing time and nothing more.

[zepman]

You are correct sir.