The Jets wined and dine LaDainian Tomlinson yesterday in hopes of signing him to replace the void left by Thomas Jones.

The Jets are reportedly the favorites to sign L.T., but he is headed back to San Diego to mull the decision.

While the though of adding LaDainian Tomlinson sounds appealing, if I were Mike Tannenbaum I would pass.

However, it seems as if the Jets are intent of signing him and reportedly are willing to match the 2 year $5 million deal the Chiefs gave Thomas Jones.

If the Jets are willing to spend this much money on a third string running back, why didn’t they just keep Thomas Jones is the first place?

Tomlinson is only a year younger than Jones, but more importantly he has more mileage on his tires.

Looking at last year’s stats Jones was significantly better than Tomlinson.  He had over double the yards, more touchdowns, and averaged almost a yard more per carry.

Tomlinson will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame one day, but he isn’t that kind of player anymore.

Of any running back that received at least 100 carries last year, Tomlinson had the worst yard per carry average (3.3).

All Jet fans got a first hand view of the player Tomlinson is now in the playoffs, where he rushed for 24 yards on 12 carries.

He lacked any burst whatsoever.  He just ran straight into the line and got stuffed repeatedly.

Watching the game, I was cheering every time they gave him a carry because I knew he wasn’t getting more than three yards.

Now what value does he add to the Jets?

I’ll admit he still can deliver on the goal line, but Shonn Greene can handle that.

He isn’t a receiving threat anymore and I’d much rather have Leon Washington out there on third downs.

He adds no special teams value and who knows how he will react to a diminished role.

So the Jets would be getting a washed up running back, who would add nothing that they don’t already have and pay him the same amount that the guy they released, who is a much better payer, received.  Tell me how that makes sense?

Sorry L.T., but I hope you pick Brett and the Vikings.

Via The Post,

The Redskins have announced the re-signing of offensive lineman Will Montgomery. Montgomery, a four-year veteran, appeared in all 16 games last season and started three at guard. He was one of five linemen to start at the right guard spot in the turbulent 2009 season.

The offensive linemen currently under contract for 2010 include: Montgomery, Derrick Dockery, Casey Rabach, Mike Williams, Stephon Heyer, Artis Hicks, Paul Fanaika, Kory Lichtensteiger, Clint Oldenburg, Edwin Williams and Will Robinson.

I think this is somewhat good news because Montgomery was a fairly decent pass blocker, especially on screens and quick 3 step drops where the Defense was showing blitz. In 16 games and 288 snaps, he only was burnt once for a sack.

His worst game in which he started was unquestionably against the Eagles, where his run blocking was atrocious. But again, he didn’t allow a sack. His best games were against KC and Atlanta — where between the two games his QB was only “pressured” once according to the official play by play.

Montgomery is still young, shows promise, and as much as the O-Line needs to be revamped, I think this was a good decision by the Redskins.

Here’s the clubs official press release on the deal:

The Cleveland Browns today acquired running back Peyton Hillis and two future undisclosed draft choices in exchange for quarterback Brady Quinn.

“I appreciate everything Brady did for us last year and in his three seasons with the Cleveland Browns,” said Browns Head Coach Eric Mangini. “He is professional in the way he goes about doing his job and worked extremely hard at every aspect of his game. I wish him the best of success in Denver.”

The 24-year-old Hillis is a veteran of two NFL seasons who was a seventh-round draft choice of Denver in 2008. He played in 28 games with eight starts in his two years with the Broncos and totaled 397 yards rushing and six touchdowns on 81 attempts (4.9 avg.) and caught 18 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown. As a rookie in 2008, he started six of the 12 games in which he appeared and rushed for 343 yards and five scores on 68 carries (5.0 avg.) and amassed 14 receptions for 179 yards and a touchdown. His rushing total as a rookie included a 129-yard effort at the Jets on November 30 when he carried the ball 22 times and scored a touchdown in Denver’s 34-17 victory.

The 6-2, 250-pound Hillis lettered four years at the University of Arkansas (2004-07) and rushed for 959 yards and 12 touchdowns on 203 attempts and caught 118 passes for 1,195 yards and 11 scores. Born January 21, 1986, Hillis attended Conway (Ark.) High School.

The Detroit Lions have a new backup quarterback, acquiring Shaun Hill in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers. Matt Barros of the Sacramento Bee reports that the 49ers sent Hill to the Lions for a seventh-round draft pick in 2011.

For the Lions, that’s a small price to play for a quarterback who provides some insurance and should be a good veteran presence for starter Matthew Stafford. Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan previously worked with Hill in Minnesota when Hill was on the Vikings’ roster.

For the 49ers, a 2011 seventh-round pick is better than nothing, considering that it became obvious Hill was on the way out when they signed David Carr.

Hill has won 10 games in 16 starts for the 49ers over the last three years. The Lions have won nine games, total, over the last three years.

Hill comes aboard as the backup for Matt Stafford, and the fact that the Lions only had to give up a 7th round pick for him is a good move.

The Cleveland Browns quarterback carousel continued today as they have acquired the second player at that position in less than a week. Recently cut Jake Delhomme has reportedly agreed to a 2-year contract with the Browns.

Delhomme’s agent Rick Smith said the veteran quarterback would be continuing his career with the Browns. He also said that Delhoome would sign his contract before the team begins their off season conditioning program.

Delhomme is the fourth quarterback on the roster that includes holdovers Brady Quinn, Brett Ratliff and the recently acquired Seneca Wallace. Many deep thinkers in the league think that Quinn will be traded before the draft.

The Browns said they have no comment and no press conference scheduled at this time.

Schefter sited league sources when he reported a two-year deal worth $4.75 million for Baker.

In 16 games last season for New England, Baker nabbed 14 balls for 142 yards and two scores.

He’ll serve as John Carlson’s backup.

Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network reports that the Lions are expected to attend Pacman Jones’ workout after Tulane’s Pro Day.  La Canfora also reports that the 49ers are interested as well, with Mike Singletary expected to attend the workout.

I am not a Pacman Jones fan for a multitude of reasons.  First and foremost, his repeated off field incidents are well documented.  However, it’s not the incidents that bother me the most, it’s the fact that he never seemed to learn from them.  Even when he was well-aware that his football career was on the line he still found himself getting into fights with his own bodyguard in Dallas.  He knew that alcohol was a major contributor to his constant delinquency, yet he was always at the clubs.  If he knew that he was a screw up away from being unemployed, why was he still putting himself in these bad situations.  Not only does it mean he has terrible judgement, but how much does football mean to him?  If he lived and died football, he would have kept his nose clean so he’d still have the opportunity to play.  Football was a was to live the high roller lifestyle and that’s why he played, not for the love of the game.

Secondly, on the field Jones is a smallish finesse type of corner who shied away from tackling.  I liken him to a faster Dre Bly, he can cover well but freelances too much, doesn’t contribute against the run and struggles with big physical receivers.

Lastly, he has been out of football for a year.  How many players come back to play at a high level after a year off?  I can’t think of one off the top of my head.  This is a guy who has a questionable work ethic and has displayed no passion for the game.  This will be his second attempted comeback after a missed season, and he wasn’t any good after the first comeback.

Pacman made his choice years ago, being a thug was more important to him than being a football player.  I think his only motivation for coming back is the fact that he’s broke and knows his only other career options involve hairnets and spatulas.  I think the Lions are taking a look because they don’t want to ignore any possibility to make the team better, but I think they will find that Pacman does not help achieve that goal.

According to Access Vikings, Jimmy Kennedy left Buffalo without signing a deal yet.

This could be a good sign for the Vikings who, by all appearances, would still like to retain the defensive tackle.  Kennedy has expressed interest in both winning a championship and being a starter.  With the Vikings remaining on top of the NFC hopefuls for 2010 and Pat Williams entering what could be the final year of his career, being in Minnesota could very well be his best option when it comes to accomplishing those two goals.

Also, PFT reports that Ladanian Tomlinson left New York / New Jersey and has headed back to San Diego  to spend the weekend thinking about his decision.  There are really three options here.  L.T. could either choose the Vikings or the Jets, or he could possibly decide to continue his tour by visiting such teams as the Saints or the Eagles.

Via Smart Football, here are the 4 rules for drafting a QB high in the NFL draft:

He must be a senior, because you need time and maturity to develop into a good professional quarterback.

He must be a graduate, because you want someone who takes his responsibilities seriously.

He must be a three-year starter, because you need to make sure his success wasn’t ephemeral and that he has lived as “the guy” for some period of time.

He must have at least 23 wins, because the big passing numbers must come in the context of winning games.

- Sam Bradford is not technically a senior, but he was in college for 4 academic years because he was a red-shirt in his first season at Oklahoma.

- I haven’t found anything saying that Bradford has already graduated, but he was set to graduate in 3 and a half years this winter with a degree in Finance and only on B amongst all A’s in his classes.

- If you could his injury-shortened junior season, Sam Bradford started for 3 years and was “the guy” for Oklahoma over this period of time.

- In his first two seasons, Bradford won 11 and 12 games with the Sooners.  In his third year, after his first injury, he returned to the lineup to lead the Sooners over Baylor.  That gives Bradford 24 wins in his career.

The Parcells theory is just another way to evaluate quarterbacks, who are nearly impossible to evaluate how well they will do in the NFL in vastly different circumstances.  But, Sam Bradford passes this one just like he passed all his classes at Oklahoma.

After his big time screw up in the Super Bowl, the Eagles (who seem to be trying to develop a reputation for giving second chances) have agreed to a one-year deal with wide receiver Hank Baskett.

Baskett served his first three seasons in Philadelphia before being released during his fourth season and signed by the Colts. Baskett had his best year in 2008 when he recorded 33 receptions for 440 yards and three touchdowns.

Another element Baskett always brought to the team was his ability to play special teams (although I’m not sure if the Eagles will want him on their hands team this year). He also possesses a vertical threat around the goal line with his height and jumping capabilities.

Of course, what everyone will probably enjoy most about this signing if having Playboy model Kendra (Wilkinson) Baskett back in town.