Tomlinson released!

[Bob Sacamano]

They have a full backfield I understand. But for some reason they got listed. My guess is guys like Bell might be free agents or the FO might be interested in replacing them.

They did use Mike Bell in some goal-line situations, so I guess he could fit.

 

[saintsational]

LT will probably want to play for a contender, so I see the Pats and Texans as very strong possibilities (according to this list anyway). And for the same reasons, I wouldn't rule out a team like the Vikes. Sure they have Peterson, but I think he'd rather take on a reduced role and have a shot at the superbowl rather than taking on a more substantial role w/ a team that obviously needs a RB but has no shot at the playoffs (a team like the Browns).

On a side note, are the Saints considering cutting Bush? If so, I'd love Jerry to bring him in. Sure he's a less than average runner, but I think he can help us in so many other ways.

As a Saints fan, I would be surprised if Bush is NOT a Saint next year. Either they will pay Bush the 8 million that his contract calls for, or he will restructure. I truly think that Bush isn't going anywhere. I think the media made this much more than what it is.

As for the people wondering about LT. Mike Bell had declined through the season, and I will be surprised if he stays. Drew wrote on his Twitter today "Ok, due to popular demand, I'm asking the question....who wants LT as a Saint?" Also, San Diego radio reported today that LT is looking for property in NO area for investment purposes. With all that said, I doubt LT becomes a Saint. He would have to take a back seat to Thomas and Bush, who are clearly the starters. If LT were to come to the Saints, he would be a situational rb. I don't think he wants that. I just hope he stays out the NFC.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Two other things:

1. Consider that Brees and LT have the same agent.

2. Brees was the second quarterback selected in the 2001 draft, chosen by the San Diego Chargers as the first pick of the second round. San Diego originally had the first pick in that draft, but traded it to Atlanta (which used it to draft Michael Vick) in return for the fifth pick of the first round, with which San Diego drafted LaDainian Tomlinson.

This evening I also heard on ESPN Radio that Brees was going to lobby the New Orleans front office big time for them to sign LT.

 

[saintsational]

Two other things:

1. Consider that Brees and LT have the same agent.

2. Brees was the second quarterback selected in the 2001 draft, chosen by the San Diego Chargers as the first pick of the second round. San Diego originally had the first pick in that draft, but traded it to Atlanta (which used it to draft Michael Vick) in return for the fifth pick of the first round, with which San Diego drafted LaDainian Tomlinson.

This evening I also heard on ESPN Radio that Brees was going to lobby the New Orleans front office big time for them to sign LT.

According to nola.com, Drew also tweeted in response to a poster "I would love to get LT in the Black and Gold. Crazier things have happened."

 

[DallasDomination]

This was overdue if you ask me. He was running like a little girl for 2 years already.

 

[Hailmary]

As a Saints fan, I would be surprised if Bush is NOT a Saint next year. Either they will pay Bush the 8 million that his contract calls for, or he will restructure. I truly think that Bush isn't going anywhere. I think the media made this much more than what it is.

As for the people wondering about LT. Mike Bell had declined through the season, and I will be surprised if he stays. Drew wrote on his Twitter today "Ok, due to popular demand, I'm asking the question....who wants LT as a Saint?" Also, San Diego radio reported today that LT is looking for property in NO area for investment purposes. With all that said, I doubt LT becomes a Saint. He would have to take a back seat to Thomas and Bush, who are clearly the starters. If LT were to come to the Saints, he would be a situational rb. I don't think he wants that. I just hope he stays out the NFC.

At this stage in LT's career, I don't think he'd mind being a situational back as long as it's for a superbowl contender. And any team willing to make him the work horse is probably nowhere near competing for the bowl.

The Saints also make sense for LT because of their superb passing attack. Opposing teams won't be able to play their safeties in the box and this should help out LT quite a bit.

If I were the Saints, however, I'd be wary of going w/ Thomas, Tomlison and Bush (if they choose not to bring back Bell, that is). If they lose Thomas to injury, they'd have to rely on Bush who's a subpar runner to begin w/ and Tomlison's diminishing ypc.

 

[InmanRoshi]

I felt bad for LT during his press conference. While almost every player that comes into the NFL has his career end before they're ready (or before they ever even really start), most of them get some time to prepare themselves for it. If you're a bottom of the roster guy or an undrafted free agent, you've probably prepared yourself for the possibility that you might not be playing football a year or two from now. In the span of 24 months he's gone from being on top of the league to being told he's too used up and old to be of any use at the age of 30 years old. That kind of plummet has to be a heck of a jolt.

I really don't think there's going to be much market for him. If I'm an NFL GM I'm looking at a thorougly washed up player who has become accustomed to certain treatment in the NFL, and there's no telling how he's going to adjust to his new reality. I don't think he's a bad guy, but players that have been that high on the mountain top do come with some "baggage". He can say all the right things in the offseason, but how is he really going to handle it when for the first time in his life he's standing on the sidelines in the 4th quarter with the game on the line. He's not going to be resentful when he goes from the NFL's ruling class to someone having to accept a 1 year vet min contract? Situational role backs are such a dime a dozen, I would probably look elsewhere.

 

[joseephuss]

Why do people think LT would be an upgrade over Barber? Marion supposedly had a down year, but he still averaged 4.36 yards per carry. LT averaged 3.27 yards per carry. Barber had a better 2009 season than LT.

Here are some stats for the last couple of years for both guys.

Barber
452 rushing attempts
1817 yards
4.02 avg.
7 TDs
78 receptions
638 yards
8.18 avg.
2 TDs

LT
515 rushing attempts
1840 yards
3.57 avg
23 TDs
72 receptions
580 yards
8.06 avg.
1 TD

I don't see where LT is head and shoulders better than Barber at this point in their respective careers. LT is still good at getting into the endzone in short yardage. Barber isn't bad at that, either. Even if you go back to 2007 Barber had a comparable year to LT, but had far fewer carries because Julius was the starter. LT has had the better career, but he is not better right now.

 

[jcollins28]

If Bush does get released will it cost Pete Carroll more or less to get him to Seattle then what he paid him at USC?

 

[saintsational]

If Bush does get released will it cost Pete Carroll more or less to get him to Seattle then what he paid him at USC?

Coach Payton said today that Reggie is staying regardless the price tag. The media thinks Reggie isn't worth it, the Saints think otherwise. Reggie isn't going anywhere. Mike Bell is the one who is on his way out the door.