NY Jets News, Notes & Quotes: LaDainian Tomlinson to Retire, Tim Tebow Speaks ... - AllMediaNY

NY Jets News, Notes & Quotes: LaDainian Tomlinson to Retire, Tim Tebow Speaks & No Braylon Edwards

18 Jun 2012 12:35 PM EST

-by Daniel Mogollon, Staff Writer; Image: LaDainian Tomlinson scored 9 touchdowns in two seasons as a Jet. (Image Source: Getty Images)

News: Reports came out on Sunday that LaDainian Tomlinson, the fifth-leading rusher in NFL history, is set to retire. LT will re-sign with the San Diego Chargers on Monday before he officially announces his retirement.

Tomlinson, who rumbled for 13,684 yards and 145 touchdowns in his career, played nine seasons in San Diego, before playing the last two with the New York Jets. The sure-fire Hall of Famer was the NFL MVP in 2006 when he rushed for 1,815 yards and scored a league-record 31 touchdowns.

In his first season with the Jets, Tomlinson appeared rejuvenated running behind a strong offensive line. LT led the team with his 914 yards on the ground and his 4.2 yards per carry was a significant improvement over the 3.3 he averaged in his last season in San Diego. He rushed for 6 TDs and caught 52 passes out of the backfield.

However, last season his returns diminished, as Tomlinson ran for a career-low 280 yards on just 75 carries. He had never rushed the ball fewer than 200 times in his career and in his first seven seasons, he had at least 313 carries each year. LT did turn in a career-high 10.7 yards per reception on 42 catches.

Notes: According to the New York Post, the Jets have decided not to bring back wide receiver Braylon Edwards. In 2010, Edwards led the team with 904 receiving yards [on 53 receptions], 17.1 yards per reception, 7 receiving TDs and 14 receptions of 20 yards or more. However, he left as a free agent prior to the 2011 season and had an injury-riddled campaign with the San Francisco 49ers and was eventually released.

The Jets are pleased with what they have seen so far from rookie Stephen Hill, second-year pro Jeremy Kerley and free agent Chaz Schilens. Hill, whom the Jets hope wins the starting job, and Schilens are similar players to Edwards, in that they both provide Mark Sanchez with big targets [Hill is 6’5”, Schilens is 6’4”], who can also stretch the field. Kerley is a slot receiver, while Santonio Holmes remains the clear-cut No. 1 wide out and tight end Dustin Keller a big part of the passing offense.

Quotes: Backup quarterback Tim Tebow spoke at a Father’s Day service for Shadow Mountain Community Church at Qualcomm Stadium [San Diego, CA], with approximately 26,000 on hand, according to event organizers.

Here is some of what Tebow had to say per the AP:

"It feels really good to get an applause in this stadium. It's never happened before."

"The world looks at me as a football player who's a Christian, but I look at the world and say, 'I'm a Christian who happens to play football.'"

“For me, it was about watching my dad. Because he could say whatever he wanted, but I watched himâ€"how he acted, how he treated my mom, how he treated my four siblings.”

"It [“Braveheart”, movie used by his father to teach life lessons] had the biggest impact on my life because every time I would go to practice from then on out, I would think of what my father said to me: 'Do I really love what I'm doing? Am I passionate about it? And am I willing to sacrifice more than anybody else?'"

“What’s so frustrating is, you have in today’s society so many famous athletes. If we would come together and be great role models, it would be amazing to see how the next generation turns out.”

“I encourage you men to get in the game and finish strong, finish strong for your family, your wife and your sons and daughters.”

“If I know that without a shadow of a doubt that I'm going to spend eternity in heaven with my Heavenly Father, then there's not a better Father's Day than that."

Daniel Mogollon is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of American. He is also a voter for the Thorpe and the Rotary Lombardi Award, as well as the Latino Sports MVP Awards.