So why did running back LaDainian Tomlinson eschew a shot at playing in purple for an opportunity to help christen the new stadium built next to the spot where the original L.T. became a superstar?
Agent Tom Condon told Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News that Tomlinson views the Jets as a “championship-caliber team,” and that Tomlinson believes he has a chance for a “substantial role” with his new team.
Other factors, per Cimini, included the uncertainty regarding the playing status of Vikings quarterback Brett Favre and Tomlinson’s comfort with Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, son of former Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer.
Of course, each of those factors existed before Tomlinson visited Minnesota. And so it sounds like the Vikings might have gotten played a little (or a lot) by L.T., and that Minnesota’s interest possibly was used to leverage the Jets into a deal bigger than the one they were willing to pay to Thomas Jones.
If so, we hope Jim Trotter of SI.com, who pushed heavily the notion that L.T. was “really wowed” by the Vikings and that the Jets would “have to bring it,” gets a piece of that $5.1 million that Tomlinson will make over the next two years.
Assuming that L.T. has enough left in 2010 to persuade the Jets not to do to him what they did to Jones 10 days ago.
Why in the world would the Vikings want to leverage the Jets into anything? if it were another team in their division, I can see it, but the Jets aren’t even in the same conference.
now did LT want to leverage the Vikes against the Jets? SURE, but the Vikes had no interest here.
In fact he sees 5,100,000 substantial roles.
Yeah he really leveraged that move into a big money deal. As Ocho would say ” child please ” seems more to me like LT wanted to make sure he was playing somewhere in 2010. Also he probably was impressed after visting the Vikes, and then he was more impressed after visiting the Jets. Always trying to stir the pot.
Enjoy New York L.T. We certainly don’t need you. Look forward to laughing at you like the last player to use us for leverage. You know…TJ Douche went to Seachickens and lived to regret it. Not to mention we get to pummel the Jets this season too like we did Seattle!
Shonn Greene is a one dimensiona RB. L.T is a 1st ballot HOF…..nuff said
Washed up L.T. will be looking for carries until the injury bug bites Washington or Greene. If that doesn’t happen look for him to whine and cry all season about being under utilized and become a pain in the A$$ in the locker room.
Sweet. I get to watch LT cry twice a year. Awesome!
Ladies and Gentleman, your 8-8 New York Jets.
Percy, if the old man retires, you guys may be on the receiving end of a pummeling. Three and outs wear down defenses. Your backups scare no one, except your coaching staff!
If by “substantial role” you mean sitting on the bench sulking behind a tinted facemask, then yes he will.
I look forward to my Pats facing this ccrybaby twice a year. It’s gonna be fun to watch…..
I can’t see the Jets re-capturing what they accomplished this past season for any number of reasons, starting with the QB. I just don’t think he is the real deal and I wonder how long before that “throw just safe passes” mentality will be able to continue. But allowing Jones to go and signing LT doesn’t seem to be a positive step.
Florio = Just another crybag Vikings fan.
If Favre was commited already, he would have signed in Minn.
“L.T is a 1st ballot HOF…..nuff said”
Who’s YPC and receptions dropped by half last season…
I really wish the Vikes would have picked LT up, but they knew the risk of Favre and LT getting caught up in a game of wheelchair bumper cars in the backfield was far too likely.
JESTS will figure out that Shonn Greene isnt the real deal, and LT isnt = 2003 LT. Thomas Jones is twice the running back of either the two.
As a Dolphins fans i can only applaud – as LT averaged about 2 yrd/carry in the last 2-3 games vs the Fins lol.
Good Luck winning games with the Ball in Mark Sanchez hands…
Thomas Jones besides being 32 is and was the best available veteran RB – im shocked the Chargers didnt make a move for him.
Lawrence Taylor playing for the jets?
This isnt a terrible move by the Jets, even though the money is a little much for Tomlinson. the Jets are one of the elite teams in the game, they dont need a whole lot from him. He is a good change of pace back to split carries with Green. Alot of you guys are acting like the Jets are going to ask him to run the ball 25 times a game. Thats not the case. the Jets have absolutely improved on an already stacked team.
Can’t wait to compare L.T. ‘s ypc vs. who is second rb on the Vikings. Will prove we dodged a bullet in MN.
ltlight will keep the bench warm and fetch burgers and shakes for Rex.
Rex needed someone who could fetch food fast.
But watch out for the real LT he has been known to show up from time to time and one hit will send litte lt back to sd
Dolphin fans can cry all they want, but the fact is their team lost their last 3 games with the playoffs on the line.
# TexansMike says: March 15, 2010 8:43 AM
If Favre was commited already, he would have signed in Minn.
______________________________________
If you were COMMITTED to your spell check, you might not look like a hooked on phonics dropout.
Favre is under contract already, he doesn’t need to sign. It’s not the same situation as last season, he is under contract to the Vikings and only needs to give them an answer. He will be back.
remaining in the afc was probably a consideration also.
Wow, LT’s helmet shield must be one of those “alternate reality” type deals that geeks use when they have no life. Reality check, LT. Ten carries per, tops.
i hope someone takes Leon Washington for a 2nd and the Jets run game is f-u-c-k-e-d
LT change of pace back?
umm what are you trying to do? make the defense fall a sleep? never seen a slow change of pace RB…
This is great news for the other teams in the AFC East….. now they can enjoy watching LT fall down at the first hint of contact for 2 yard gains, twice per year!
Washed up, and a horrible playoff performer.
All talk, no rings..
“dlmcc0909 says:
March 15, 2010 9:11 AM
This isnt a terrible move by the Jets, even though the money is a little much for Tomlinson. the Jets are one of the elite teams in the game,…yada yada yada”
One of the Elite teams in the game? Are you kidding me? They had one lucky season and leveraged the colts rolling over to get into the playoffs last year. Ryan didnt even think they were still alive. Elite? Please!
checkout http://www.freecluesfortheclueless.com
@JCJETS
i love it – you guys are 1-3 vs Miami in the last 4 games and are still talking trash?
He might have made a good backup, but he was never signing with the Vikings. Tomlinson did not want to be over-shadowed by Peterson.
I just don’t see how LT & Greene is a better 1-2 punch than TJ & Green. Questionable move to say the least. Strange.
get a life big blue balls
There you have it Minnesota terds. Favre’s typical off-season crap just cost your team a free agent. Just think how much more attractive your team would be if everyone knew for sure Brett was coming back.
I hope your starting to understand exactly how much more difficult it is to do business when you have Favre at QB. You think it’s bad now, wait until the draft when your team pisses away a pick on a QB because they don’t know if Brett is coming back. Whatever dipshit said Favre’s coming back just because he’s under contract hasn’t been watching football for the last 3 years. In terms of commitment, you’re talkng about the most unpredictable and unreliable player in the league.
Take a good look at yourselves Viking fans. You have blind faith in Favre. Remember how you used to make fun of Packer nation for defending for the league’s record holder for interceptions? Well it looks like all the Viking terds out there have settled into that role nicely. The only difference is, you knew what you were getting into before you signed him and yet you still suckle on Farve’s chode. At least Green Bay had him in his prime and got out while the gettin was good. When it comes down to it, Brett only got you one more win than last year and still no Super Bowl ring in exchange for 12 million dollars, lost free agents, wasted draft picks and major dissappointment. Enjoy it you purple f*cks!
It’s a better 1-2 punch because LT can catch the ball out of the backfield. Something TJ couldn’t do to save his life (or job). I like the signing for the Jets. LT is going to be their back up. Not sure why there is such hating going on as if they are expecting 300 carries and 1,500 yards out of him. LT is an all-time great and will be running 10 times a game behind the league’s best run blocking O-Line. If you think the Jets are worse off for making this move, you are either a hater or just plain stupid.
DallasFan in NY says:
March 15, 2010 8:32 AM
Percy, if the old man retires, you guys may be on the receiving end of a pummeling. Three and outs wear down defenses. Your backups scare no one, except your coaching staff!
—————————————————-
Does any team’s back-ups scare anyone? They’re back-ups for a reason you know.
“Dolphin fans can cry all they want, but the fact is their team lost their last 3 games with the playoffs on the line.”
GREAT POINT… Bunch of crybabies here
This is great….now that LT has signed with the Jets, all the moronic Vikings fans are crying “we don’t need you anyway LT, have fun in NY.” Vikings fans are great….
I thought the simple fact that Favre was on the team meant every player in the league would want to play with him….because he “makes everyone around him better.” Is the luster gone, or is his non-commital to anything having to do with anyone but himself wearing thin with the players. Come on Favre and Vikings fans….spin….spin….spin. Time to make excuses…just like your excuse for…………..
Why do you even ponder passing?
Well hell has officially frozen over, I am agreeing with Crowder911.
I don’t understand how you let go of Thomas Jones and replace him with LadyT and think you have improved your team? See Edge James, Emitt Smith, Shaun Alexander to name a few.
The Jests have made some calculated moves that may end of blowing up in their faces.
I think we will be wishing them another Happy 42 years and counting!!
Even L.T KNows the vikings will never win a superbowl.
Professor-
Instead of baffling us with your constant misspellings (terds), why don’t you and Gilligan go play with your coconuts and make a radio with the shells? Give Ginger our best.
@ Professor:
First, it is only your OPINION that he cost the Vikings a FA. And what exactly did he cost them? A RB on the decline looking for a shot at redemption? Big deal. LT was not going to make or break the Vikings any more than Chestnuts was going to. Take it down a notch.
Why wouldn’t Vikings fans have ‘blind faith’ in Favre? One more win? What about the playoffs? And don’t even go down the ‘in his prime’ road because with the season he put up last year you can’t make any ‘old’ or ‘past his prime’ jokes without looking like a complete fool. Favre had arguably his BEST SEASON last year. Vikings fans will happily wait around because at the moment, the alternatives are Jackson and Rosenfels.
What the Vikings got for $12million was a trip to the NFC title game and a chance to win. They are NOT going to get that with the other QB’s on their roster. Favre has not cost them any free agents or draft picks. Where do you come up with this stuff? The only thing worse than your hatred for the Vikings is your inability to use logic when making a point.
Seriously, sober up.
There’s only ONE major reason LT signed with the Jets…(drum roll please):
To avenge being released by the Chargers. Remember, the Jets beat the Chargers in the playoffs. Odds are they will meet again in the playoffs. What better way to end a career than to beat your old team (Chargers) en route to the Super Bowl (maybe even a Super Bowl victory)?
LT is smart enough to know that the Vikings have as good a chance as the Jets (both advanced to the divisional rounds last season) to make the playoffs. But, what the Vikings opportunity didn’t have was a sweet chance to exact revenge on his old team (and getting paid well to do it).
Priceless.
Crowder911 said:
i love it – you guys are 1-3 vs Miami in the last 4 games and are still talking trash?
I’m not talking trash. Dolphins lost their last 3 games and missed the playoffs. That’s a fact. Talking trash would be: “good luck winning games with Sanchez.” when they’ve already won 2 playoff games with him.
And the Dolphins did beat the jets twice last year but the Jets went to the AFC championship game. Dolphins missed the playoffs completely.
For LT to say that shows that “Rubberband” Rex blew smoke up his ass about how much playing time he’ll see, and if they plan on backing that up, then their going to lose, and if they don’t, then they’ve set the expecations bar too high for LT, and once he gets wise he’s going to bitch.
The Vikings only mistake was making it crystal clear he was not the featured back, and I have a feeling he was given the impression by the Jets he’d be more.
jcjets:
so? did you win a championship or a ring? NOPE
unfortunately there is only 1 champion per season and as in the last 420 years they arent called NEWJERSEY JESTS.
funny thing is, did we suck last season? – yeah
but it was still good enough to beat you loud mouths TWICE
all im pretty much saying is that cutting Thomas Jones and paying LT more was a very stupid move period. agree or not – even with your good oline you wont be a top 5 running team and thats a bad thing for you guys.
This free agency year seems to defy logic when it comes to RBs:
The NY Jets were 1 game away from the Superbowl last year, but they cut Thomas Jones who averaged 4.2 ypc, racked up 1,402 rushing yards and had 6+ 100 yard rushing games last season.
They run out and sign LT to essentially the same contract Jones had, when LG averaged 3.3 ypc, rushed for 730 yards and had 0 100 yard rushing games last season.
Sure LT is 10 months younger than Thomas, but he has 600 more NFL carries (which works out to a 25% greater NFL work load) than Thomas.
On top of that, the lowly Chiefs (I’m not trying to take a shot at them – just stating a fact), sign Jones for $5M for 2 years and the Jets give LT a $5.1M + a shot at an additional $500K in incentives. When exactly did non-playoff teams get a discount and just shy of the SB teams have to pay a premium for players in the Twilight of their career?
On top of all of that, Chester Taylor (who I think is a quality 3rd down back), who has never been a lead RB and average 3.6 ypc, had 338 total rushing yards (727 rushing and receiving) and had 0 100 rushing yard games signs a 4 year $12.5M ($7M guaranteed) contract with the Bears. Oh and by the way Taylor is a whole 13 mths younger than Jones and 3 months younger than LT (granted Taylor has only 1,028 career carries).
The signings of RBs this offseason has been completely upside down – Jones performs the best last year and has the biggest role of the 3 – gets the least money with the worst team – LT who performs the worst gets more money than Jones but with his former team, who by the way is a better team – and Taylor who has the most limited role last year, with a slightly better ypc than LT, gets the most money and longest terms – CRAZY.
My only point, Crowder911, was that YOU were the one talking trash. “Good luck winning with Sanchez?” He already has 2 ROAD playoff game wins in his rookie season.
Henne played really well last year, but exactly how many does he have? Not saying Sanchez is the next Montana, but cmon.
Tompadre says:
March 15, 2010 10:53 AM
Does any team’s back-ups scare anyone? They’re back-ups for a reason you know.
Good point! But one of these backups WILL be a starter when greybeard decides he’s had enough. Scary…
Too bad Jets fans, the FAKE LT WILL NEVER GET A RING, SO YOU’LL HAVE O WAIT TIL HE’S FINALLY GONE FOR YOU TO GO OUT AND REALLY GET ONE. HE IS A QUITTER WHEN IT COMES TO THE PLAY OFF GAMES.
Can’t stand the guy. Look at the playoff game he sat pouty with a knee injury hiding under his face plate and not supporting everyone else. He’s the most selfish player that I ever seen.
Rivers was out there limping while he was playing and nearly ruined his knee. San Deigo Dolt fans, your odds of getting a title increased losing that dead weight.
But you won’t and that will be you destiny. Peace.