Releasing the old reliable half backs

Thirty-year-old NFL running backs are dropping like flies. A day after the San Diego Chargers released LaDainian Tomlinson, the Philadelphia Eagles released Brian Westbrook.

If the "let's cut productive-but-aging running backs" trend continues, New York Jets running back Thomas Jones should be watching his back.

The Jets are in a similar situation with Jones as the Eagles and Chargers were in with Westbrook and LT. While Jones rushed for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2009, he is due for a $3 million dollar roster bonus, and the Jets have an emerging young running back in Shonn Greene.

Last year Tomlinson's numbers were significantly lower than what we have grown used to seeing. He has seen his number of carries gradually decrease since a standout 2006 season in which he carried the ball 348 times to just 223 times in 2009. Tomlinson rushed for just 730 yards in 2009, compared to 1,110 in 2008.

Brian Westbrook's situation, however, is completely different. A pair of concussions allowed him to play in only eight of the Eagles' 16 regular-season games. But when Westbrook did make it to the field, he averaged a decent 4.5 yards per carry. Probably aiding the Eagles' decision to cut Westbrook was a strong, promising rookie season by LeSean McCoy. McCoy averaged 4.1 yards per carry on 637 yards and four touchdowns, and the Eagles will probably be counting on him heavily in 2010.

The Chargers, however, are in a different boat. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported the Chargers will not be using their franchise tag on backup running back/kick returner Darren Sproles for the second year in a row. Since the Chargers don't plan on tagging him as their franchise player, that means Sproles will be a free agent. Obviously he wasn't going to be a feature back anyway, but what option does this leave for San Diego?

Because the only other running back on the roster is the 31-year-old Michael Bennet, it's safe to assume that the Chargers will either draft a running back or sign one through free agency.

The cutting of the aging running backs reminds me of an older car that is loved by its owner. It may be hard to let it go because of everywhere it has taken you, but there are a lot of younger cars out there that are more reliable and can run faster.

However, old cars can be patched up, tuned up and sold on a used car lot. The fact that they've been used doesn't make them totally useless.

That said, which teams, if any, will come calling for Westbrook's and Tomlinson's services?

Tomlinson has been quoted as saying the next team he signs with will have to be a Super Bowl contender, which all but rules out my prediction that he would sign with the Browns. However, I do see him signing with a team such as the New England Patriots or the Houston Texans.

It has been speculated that Westbrook would retire after a troublesome 2009 season, but recently said his two concussions would not prevent him from returning to the NFL. I expect him to draw interest from the same type of teams that would be interested in LT, a Super Bowl contender in need of a veteran running back.

Jonas Swecker can be contacted at swecker@marshall.edu.