LT Says His San Diego Days Are Done

LaDainian Tomlinson has come to realize that he won't be coming back to San Diego.

It was sad to watch Tomlinson look like Emmitt Smith in his Arizona days in the Chargers' playoff loss to the Jets. But it did make the Chargers' decision to not exercise his $2 million roster bonus this offseason an easy one. And it also ensured that Chargers fans are largely ready to move on even though Tomlinson is arguably the best player in Chargers history.

It's sad that it has to end this way, but it is time for Tomlinson to move on. And it seems like he's starting to realize it.

"It's a mixed feeling," said Tomlinson. "It's mixed emotions. I've spent nine years of my life here, pretty much my youth. I gave the organization everything I have. I enjoyed the community. But there is a part I won't miss. The football part is fun. But the business part sucks. I won't miss that."

The business part does suck, but aging sucks more.

Tomlinson's stretch from 2002-2007 ranks with almost any running back in NFL history, but when running backs lose a step, they fall off quickly. Shaun Alexander went from an NFL MVP to fighting for a job in two seasons. Larry Johnson's run as an elite running back seemed to end as quick as you could say "Curse of 370."

The big question with Tomlinson is whether he'll find a job anywhere. He can probably find a team willing to give him a chance to prove he's not washed up, but it's highly unlikely he'll find any team willing to give him anywhere close to the $5 million he was slated to make in San Diego.