LT2 & Westbrook – Where they end up? Part I.

It’s only Tuesday and it has already been a very busy week in NFL news.

The Eagles have finally parted ways with oft-injured Brian Westbrook.  The Chargers cut possibly the best running back of the past decade, LaDainian Tomlinson.

I like to speculate.  Won’t you join me?

Tomlinson has made it very clear that the most important thing to him is to win a Super Bowl.  If you want to trust him and unless someone like say…oh, Al Davis throws too much money at him, we can use his dedication to victory to weed out a lot of teams.

Out of the LT race include: BUF, CIN, CLE, KC, OAK, WAS, CHI, DET, CAR, TB, STL, SF, SEA.

Now let’s look at team need.  The following don’t really need a running back or even a back-up: MIA, NYJ, BAL, PIT, JAX, DAL, NO.

That leaves: NE, HOU, IND, DEN, NYG, PHI, GB, ATL, MIN, ARI.

The team that jumps at everyone would be the Patriots.  I don’t like the fit here.  I think the Patriots look to get younger and stand by the “we can put anyone at running back and be okay” mentality.  I don’t like ATL/MIN/IND because of depth and lack of starting time available.  The Vikings could surprise everyone, appearing to let Chester Taylor go, and grab LT.  (How’s that for an iconic backfield?  LT & AP?)  So, if you held a gun up to my head, and asked me, in order I’d go:

5. Eagles – They just got rid of an injury prone vet, but could use a strong back-up.  The Eagles love to throw, LT loves to catch.

4. Texans – They’re a fringe team because of their chances of getting to a Super Bowl next year, but boy howdy, do they need some depth at running back.  Steve Slaton isn’t cutting it.  LT would became the number one in a rotating backfield.    

3. Colts – Manning’s arm empties the box a little for LT.  Donald Brown is the future, Addai seems to be on the outs.  LT could provide great depth.

2. Giants - What happened to Brandon Jacobs last year?  Ahmad Bradshaw’s body won’t let him be the number one.  There is a great chance to play for one of the marquee teams in the NFL, in a role that wouldn’t be too demanding, but still rewarding. 

1. Packers – Ryan Grant is really inconsistent.  The Packers need to even out their run-throw ratio, but if they don’t want to, Tomlinson can catch some balls.  They have an underrated offensive line, a strong quarterback and a rising defense.  The Packers have a good chance of going deep in the playoffs, and while nothing is guaranteed it would appear as though LT would get signficant playing time.

EDITORS EDIT: I wouldn’t be surprised if the Redskins picked him up.  They aren’t Super Bowl contenders, but money talks.  The Jets hate Thomas Jones for some reason, so they’re always a possibility.  The Bengals also strike me as team that could make a surprise move. 

Tomorrow, we’ll tackle where Westbrook will go.

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~ by tehblogg on February.23.2010.