Tomlinson Highest Paid Running Back In NFL

The move is a no-brainer... Tomlinson is arguably the best runningback in the league and is now making the salary that he deserves. After halting talks with their number 1 pick, Phillip Rivers, the Chargers show that they are not afraid to spend some money on players that have proved their worth.

Hopefully this will mean Tomlinson will be a Charger for the duration of his career and Charger fans have some hope for the future because there is little else to hope for this season...

CARSON, California (Ticker) - LaDainian Tomlinson needed just three years to set a new standard for running backs.

Tomlinson, the dynamic running back of the San Diego Chargers, has agreed to a contract extension that reportedly will make him the NFL's highest-paid player at his position.
"I agreed to a contract," Tomlinson said following practice Thursday. "I'm not sure when I'll sign it. I'm going over the last details. I'll probably sign it in the next couple of days or so." Numerous reports have Tomlinson's new contract eclipsing the eight-year, $50.5 million deal that Clinton Portis signed with the Washington Redskins in the offseason.

Tomlinson, 25, had two years remaining on his original contract. He is scheduled to make $5.5 million this season and $6.5 million in 2005.

The fifth overall pick in 2001, Tomlinson has rushed for 4,564 yards and 37 touchdowns in his first three seasons.

"He's the best running back I've ever seen," Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said.
Last season, Tomlinson became the fifth player in NFL history to rush for 200 yards in four games. He also became the first player in league history to rush for 1,000 yards and catch 100 passes.

Tomlinson rushed for 1,645 yards and 13 touchdowns to go along with 100 receptions for 725 yards and four scores in 2003.

Link to story here.

Rivers Holding Out

My June 21st blog entry spelled out many of the problems of the Chargers. None of those problem areas have been addressed and to add to the quagmire, there is the Chargers' #1 pick, Phillip Rivers, is holding out. According to Charger management the offer that was extended to Rivers was better than offers accepted by Gallery and Fitzgerald, both picked ahead of Rivers, number 2 and 3 respectively. It is becoming a Charger tradition where their first round pick, regardless of when the Chargers pick, have contract disputes. But in this case, if the information from the Chargers' brass is true, this is clearly the player and agent holding the Charger franchise ransom. I really do applaud a team that refuses to bend to a player/agents every whim...to not buy into the player's self-promoted level of ability without even taking a NFL snap. I just wish it wasn't the Chargers that have to be the team to set the standard, for it never has a positive affect for the team overall.
The Chargers, are being ranked dead last in the Sportsline Power Ranking and should remain there for the length of the season. The Chargers will certainly have the number 1 pick in the draft next season, but if they choose to select and attempt to sign someone, it will only further set this team back.
Marty needs to be fired. The team needs a new GM and coach that will instill common sense and a winning attitude...hopefully the inevitable 0-16 record that will occur in this 2004-05 campaign will be the wake up call for the Spanos family.
And that's right... I am predicting the Chargers to be 0 and 16. As I said before, I would love to be proven wrong but at this time I see absolutely no improvement in any area on the Charger team.