Chargers Release LaDainian Tomlinson into NFL Purgatory?

As we've seen over the past couple seasons, the market for heavily-used running backs over 30 is very, very minimal. Edgerrin James, Shaun Alexander, Ahman Green, and several others have all gone from big names to nobodies in less than a year.

Upon their release, most thought they'd quickly find work, but sat around in free agency for months before a team came calling offering only a minimal deal and no promise of playing time.

Even with the Hall of Fame career LT has clearly had, will it be enough for a team to go out on a limb and see if he's got anything left in the tank as a change-of-pace back?

There a few teams in need of help at running back such as the Patriots, Browns, Chiefs, Lions, Vikings, and Saints. Most of these are teams with a number one running back who could use a second back to take five to 10 carries per game or come in at the goal line.

The Chiefs or Patriots seem the most likely. The Chiefs would likely love to have a guy who knows the Chargers offense inside and out and could contribute, even minimally, behind Jamal Charles.

The Patriots experimented with Fred Taylor, but an injury left him out for most of the season and, other than him, are pedestrian in the backfield.

Tomlinson would love to have a ring before he retires, and the Patriots seem to be the avenue for most older running backs to try and get that done -- Corey Dillon and Fred Taylor being the most recent and notable.

It is equally possible, however, that LT simply floats around in free agency waiting for the phone to ring. It would be a terrible way for a Hall of Fame career to end, but it seems to be the way most running backs' careers end these days.