The Future of LT

Yesterday we posted an article by Jim Trotter of Sports Illustrated regarding the upheaval surrounding the potential release of LT due to Salary Cap Restrictions. LT is under contract for the next three seasons. If he is here next year his cap # is roughly $ 9 million and if he is cut he would count roughly $2 million against the cap. I am not a "cap-o-logist"...... but what we do know is that the difference in cash flow---almost $7million--- could be used to shore up the considerable number of holes that became evident this season.

Do we cut a certain Hall of Famer just shy of his 3oth birthday even though we know that, historically speaking, there is evidence that NFL running backs provide diminishing returns after this magical number?

NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

With one caveat.....LT must meet behind closed doors with AJ Smith and attempt to restructure his contract. This act alone would show LT's commitment to a possible Superbowl championship by freeing up money that could greatly help the San Diego Chargers plug holes. If there is not a restructuring of the contract we could be in for a similar type season for the Chargers in '09 or worse......LT running the ball for a rival and thriving.

I will make a guarantee..... LT is not done!

Not all running backs are created equal. Despite the rapidly approaching 30 year old status we will be able to assign to LT, let us consider a couple of things:

• 2007.....LT's injury was a knee SPRAIN. No reconstruction of any sort. I had a bad knee sprain and couldn't even think of touching the field for 3 weeks....5-6 weeks until I started to feel comfortable. I will take LT's word that he couldn't go in the AFCCG last year.
• He's a hard worker...we knew that he would work his tail off over the off season to prove the naysayers wrong....see Deion Sanders, jagov extraordinaire!
• 2008 Opener against Carolina..... He looked fantastic with BURST, until he jammed his toe. Toe's can be a "mother", ask jagov extraordinaire, Deion Sanders.

Look at this fucking asshole...how did he get a network job?

• As season progressed, the toe slowly got better and against Denver (not the strongest D) he looked great until he torqued in a strange way while scoring a TD and tore his groin up solid.
• ??????

Who is LT's Idol?

Jim Brown's rushing record broken....I was there.

That's right, Walter Payton. Walter Payton was one of the hardest workers of his time as LT is today. LT will factor in to next season because he feeds off of the naysayers...he wants to prove them wrong. It's dangerous to become too sentimental as a sports fan because we run the risk of demanding that the Chargers hold on to players who could be detrimental to our long term success. That is not the case here. This is not a Tony Gwynn situation where we kept a player who was physically done to ensure he would finish his career here. LT is not done. Nor is he a back that can rush 300 times per year anymore.

LT!!! Take a pay adjustment and begin more of a committee approach with a resigned Sproles, a more mature Hester and a possible running back of the future (either through trade: Michael Bush or via the 2009 Draft's middle rounds). LT is no Shaun Alexander so we needn't worry about that. We will rue the day that LT leaves but we also need him to accommodate the team so we can make the necessary improvements. He does have enough side deals where he should be able to offset any monetary loss due to a restructured contract.....

Chunky/NO.......................Oggi's/YES