LaDainian Tomlinson

LaDainian Tomlinson has been a staple in the San Diego Chargers backfield for almost a decade.
He was usually the first pick in fantasy football up until a couple years ago.
And now, he is unemployed.
Tomlinson has had a stellar career, not only as a rusher, but also as a receiver. He would routinely put up 125 yards rushing and 75 yards receiving. He was the complete back.

As a football purest, Tomlinson was one of those guys that I wanted to see finish his career with the same team that he started with. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen.

You have to assume there will be a number of teams that will want him, but I am afraid that with the way he played, there just isn't a whole lot left on the tires. He is gonna go down as one of the greatest backs of all time, but even Emmitt Smith had to finish in Arizona.

How ironic would it be to see Tomlinson in Arizona as the back up to Beanie Wells?

So, where exactly does that put Tomlinson? Where will he play next year? He could go home to the Texans. He would be a great influence on their younger players. But, I also think that at this stage in his career, he would want to play for a championship contender.

Colts? Saints? Patriots? Cowboys? The Colts and Patriots could use a runner, and they both know what he can do in the playoffs, but I just don't know.

I loved watching him play at TCU and then San Diego, but he has clearly lost a couple of steps. He can be a decent runner, but only in spurts. He is going to have to swallow his pride and be a back up on a contender, or go to a lousy team (Washington) to start.

I know it is not my decision, but I hope for him to choose the contender, because I would love to see him in a Super Bowl.

This is the way of the new NFL. We love you, but you gotta go. The league is getting younger and younger, and teams are going to two and three back rotations. That is the main reason I think he will catch on somewhere. My gut says the Patriots, but if the Cowboys trade Choice or trade or cut Barber, I could see Jerry Jones signing Tomlinson.

He is one of the greats, and it is a shame he will have to play next year in another uniform.

But welcome to the NFL.

Thanks.
John Conner
jpconner9@yahoo.com

Crash Danica Crash

I love watching Nascar. With the exception of baseball, Nascar is my solace while I wait for another football season.

I love talking Nascar, especially with people who are just now becoming fans.
I have been watching Nascar since the mid 90s. The company my dad worked for sponsored Mark Martin, so whenever the race was in town, Mark would come by my dad's office and do a meet and greet. My dad always made sure I knew what days they were so I could meet him too. I remember the third or fourth time Mark came down, I kinda had that silly grin, and said "hi mark, nice to meet you." He said, "I have met you before John, don't you remember?" That meant the world to me. Now I got lucky. Not all guys are like Mark Martin.

But I digress..

Mark takes responsibilities for his actions. If he messes up, he takes full blame and moves on. That is why everyone in the garage respects Mark.

This brings me to my topic. I can't stand Danica Patrick. She has won a couple of races, and now thinks she can run in the big leagues. She never takes responsibilities for what she does on the track. She always blames someone else, and if she crashes, and is no longer in the spotlight, she starts something with the other drivers. It makes no sense to me whatsoever.

I have never wishes bad luck on any driver except Kyle Busch. But at least he knows he is reckless and on the edge of out of control. It is similar to Tony Stewart, when he first got started.

But people that are new to Nascar, think Danica is the second coming. I am glad she is bringing new people to the sport, but at the same time, I hope she wrecks on every turn.

The happiest I had been in a while, was when she got spun out and wrecked in the Nationwide race. Nice job Menard.

She is only supposed to race 12 Nationwide races this year, and then it is wait and see for next year. I imagine, with Indy car going away, she will at least run the full Nationwide series next year.

I can't stand the hype. Once she wins more than one race, I may come around. I doubt it, but I might. Her arrogance rubs me the wrong way. If she wants to learn how to be a professional driver, she should take a few hints from Mark Martin.

I have no problem with the fact that she is a woman. I used to love watching Shirley Muldowney. But Shirley, not only won races, but won championships. I just don't like the fact that she thinks she deserves this. She hasn't earned squat, and until she does, I hope everyone takes turns putting her into the wall.

As always, if you like it, great, if not, thats great too. You can always email me feedback at jpconner9@yahoo.com.

Peace out,
John Conner