Spanos' words to Tomlinson: 'Don't jump to any conclusions'
January 16
San Diego Union-Tribune
"Chargers president Dean Spanos spoke with LaDainian Tomlinson on Thursday and then addressed the furor surrounding his iconic running back.
"We talked about the situation and I just tried to explain everything that must be considered," Spanos said on the team's Web site. "I told him we haven't even started our discussions and won't for awhile, so don't jump to any conclusions. And I told him I would call him personally to make sure he's aware of everything that's going on."
Spanos declined further comment. Tomlinson, who is traveling for another opinion on his injured groin, did not return a phone message.
According to a source, Spanos expressed to Tomlinson that the team has not decided anything and won't do so for several weeks, after Spanos and his top lieutenants return from the Pro Bowl the second week of February.
The Chargers are, for a combination of reasons, considering releasing or trading Tomlinson after eight record-breaking seasons.
Tomlinson is due $6.725 million in 2009 and has a salary-cap number of $8.79 million that would be just $2.066 million if he were no longer on the roster.
The Chargers have many young players they will try to sign in the next year, and they have about $15 million in cap space. The almost $7 million they would clear by parting ways with Tomlinson could help them keep running back Darren Sproles, sign free agents and allow them to more freely deal with quarterback Philip Rivers and others whose contracts are expiring after the 2009 and '10 seasons.
The Chargers could see what trade market there is for Tomlinson, though that is expected to be only a second-day or perhaps a conditional pick. Out of respect to the future Hall of Famer, if they decide not to bring him back, they likely would release him and allow him to find the best deal for himself elsewhere."
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