As LaDainian Tomlinson’s skills decline, his excuses multiply.
His latest tone deaf complaints directed at the Chargers have not pleased his former teammates, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
No players would go on the record, but Chargers G.M. A.J. Smith did. He wanted to respectfully stay silent regarding Tomlinson’s words, but these words aren’t hard to interpret.
“I’m not concerned,” Smith said. “I’m just excited about the upcoming year and looking forward. Having outstanding players throughout your team is vital to winning a championship, no doubt about that.
“But having the right team and trying to put that team together is the ultimate challenge and it’s a yearly challenge. Because it’s the team that will win a world championship -- not a bunch of individuals who happen to be extremely talented and focused on themselves first.”
Boom. Roasted.
Look, we have no doubt Tomlinson is a great guy off the field. But his me-first act over the last couple of years is now a part of his legacy.
Tomlinson’s comments were galling because the Chargers bent over backwards to be sensitive to his place in franchise history. He’s a below average back. If he had a different name on his jersey, they would have benched him. Or cut him.
Tomlinson should be thinking about how he can improve, but instead he’s blaming all his problems on the men that tried to help him.
This should end well in New York.