LaDainian Tomlinson is 95% Retired

Fortunately, there was hardly any San Diego Chargers news to report over the weekend. I think we all needed that. However, there was this bit of semi-Chargers-related news that was tweeted out by the incomparable Jim Trotter:

Just spoke with LaDainian Tomlinson. Said he is 95% retired. Added that it would take the right team/situation for him to play again. #nfl

— Jim Trotter (@SI_JimTrotter) May 5, 2012

That makes sense. What Tomlinson is saying is that he doesn't have a need to be on a bad team or to be a backup in the NFL anymore. He cemented is legacy with 9 of the best seasons a running back has ever had in San Diego, before signing with the New York Jets and eventually getting moved to the backup role.

Tomlinson, after carrying the ball 3,000+ times in the NFL, is no longer an "elite" running back. Good running backs have become a dime a dozen in the NFL. There's a good chance that any team that needs a running back can find a cheaper, younger, fresher guy than "LT". Therefore, we can probably say goodbye to LaDainian and schedule his Ring of Honor ceremony for sometime during the 2013 season.