After the San Diego Chargers lost to the New York Jets in the Playoffs last season, new changes were coming to Chargers. Too many issues were hidden underneath the Chargers 11-games winning streak last season, but it finally surfaced in that lost to the N.Y. Jets. The lack of discipline, toughness and leadership, would cost the Chargers the victory. Now, with expiring contracts and free-agency, the Chargers had to make some tough decisions during the off-season.

As the off-season began, changes for the Chargers would come quickly. First, the San Diego Chargers decided the let LaDainian Tomlinson, the best running back in Chargers history, go after nine seasons with the team. Later, the Chargers would trade Antonio Cromartie, after a poor performance in the playoffs, to the New York Jets for a third-round draft pick in 2011, though it may turn into a second-round draft pick depending on how well he does on the football field in 2010.

The Chargers would then release one of the best nose-tackles in the league, Jamal Williams, who had been with the Chargers since they drafted him in 1998. The Chargers would also lose Kassim Osgood and Brandon Manumaleuna due to free-agency.

Now, San Diego Chargers are going to have to regroup and get ready for the 2010 season. The Chargers are going to need a running back to carry the load, since L.T. is no longer with the team. But, the biggest focus for the Chargers should be on defense. Defense is what wins championship and if there was something that was needed during that loss to the New York Jets was playing smart and tough defense.

The bigger questions for the San Diego Chargers is whether or not, general manager, A.J. Smith is going to be able to find the right players to fill the positions the Chargers lost during the off-season. Also, will Norv Turner finally get the team he needs to get the Chargers to the Super Bowl? Only time will tell, but it will be interesting to see how the Chargers handled the new changes.

After nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers, the Chargers released the best running in Chargers history, LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson was going to get a $2 million roster bonus in March. However, due to Tomlinson injuries and age, it was time for the San Diego Chargers to move on. Too bad for Chargers fans who did not get to see L.T. win a Super Bowl championship with the Chargers.

Under the LaDainian Tomlinson era, the San Diego Chargers had their chances to get the Super Bowl with playoff runs in 2004 and 2006-09. But, it was not meant to be. And now, for L.T., he will never get that chance as a San Diego Chargers.

However, as Chargers fans look back at

greatness as a San Diego Chargers, his best moment was probably when he broke the NFL touchdown record against the Denver Broncos in 2006. L.T. scored 28 touchdowns that year. Another milestone for L.T., was on December 2, 2007. Tomlinson passed Walter Payton on the all time rushing touchdown list, with his 111th career rushing touchdown, against the Kansas City Chiefs. But, of course for Chargers fans, the best moments of Tomlinson career is the Chargers 13th straight victories over their rivals, the Oakland Raiders.

It will be sad to see L.T. in another uniform next year, but that is the business of the NFL. Hopefully, for LaDainian Tomlinson and the San Diego Chargers it will all work out in the end. We shall see L.T. in the NFL Hall of Fame someday, but not yet.

(Sources: Fox Sports, ESPN)

Credit to the Saints for going for the win and not playing too conservative. Late in the 2nd quarter, the Saints should have kicked the field goal when they were down by the goal line. But, they decided to go for it and did not make. However, on the opening kick of the 2nd half, the Saints went for a onside kickoff and the Saints would get the ball. In the end, it would all payoff for the New Orleans Saints. The Saints played with an attitude that they were not going to lose. For the Saints, it starts and ends with Drew Brees.

Saints quarterback and leader, Drew Brees, played great in this game for the Saints. Brees threw for 288-yards and two touchdowns and he also won the Super Bowl MVP. The Saints would seal the game when Saints cornerback, Tracy Porter, scored on a 74-yard touchdown interception off Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning started off hot for the Colts. But, Manning final interception was costly and would eventually lose the game. The Indianapolis Colts did all the could to win, but it was not enough. The Saints just wanted it more.

As for the New Orleans Saints, this was a great win for not only the Saints players, coaches and the rest of the Saints organization, but for the people of New Orleans. From struggles of Hurricane Katrina to their team winning the Super Bowl, this was a great day in New Orleans’ history. Now, the Saints can look back and feel good knowing that the New Orleans Saints are the 2010 NFL Super Bowl Champions and no other team can say that.

(Sources: Fox Sports, ESPN)

“I’m not coming back,” Tomlinson said. “I don’t believe I’ll be back in San Diego. I’ve accepted it. I’ve spent nine years of my life here, pretty much my youth. I gave the organization everything I have. I enjoyed the community. But there is a part I won’t miss. The football part is fun. But the business part sucks. I won’t miss that.”

LaDainian Tomlinson is still under contract for two more years. But, will the Chargers pay him 5 millions dollars next year, even though is productivity has gone down? Who’s know at this point. However, it will be hard to see LaDainian Tomlinson is a different uniform. But, until things are official, anything can still happen. Hopefully, L.T. will remain with the San Diego Chargers, but only time will tell what the San Diego Chargers decide to do with LaDainian Tomlinson, so stay tuned.

(Sources: San Diego Union-Tribune, Fox Sports, ESPN)

Credit to the New York Jets for getting this far in the playoffs. The N.Y. Jets were in control of this game in the first half, but then the Colts took the momentum after they scored a touchdown to take the 20-17 lead. The Indianapolis Colts would never look back and the Colts beat the Jets 30-17.

But, it is scary to think that this is just Mark Sanchez first year as a pro and he was just one win away to the Super Bowl. But, when a former Super Bowl MVP gets on fire, its hard to stop his team. And, unfortunately for the New York Jets, that’s what exactly happened. The New York Jets are going to be a tough team to deal with in the future, but it was not meant to be this year. As for the Indianapolis Colts, they are moving on the Super Bowl. Lets see how the Colts do against another hot team, the Saints.

(Sources: Fox Sports, ESPN)

Instead, Favre tried to throw the ball across the field, which was intercepted by the Saints. Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings offense would never get a chance to see the ball again. After time expired in regulation, the Saints won the coin toss to get the ball first in overtime. After the Saints drove down the field, Saints kicker, Garrett Hartley, won the game on a 40-yard field goal, sending the New Orleans Saints to the Super Bowl.

Two years ago, Brett Favre had an opportunity to lead his old team, the Green Bay Packers to the Super Bowl, but like in this game, Favre threw an interception, which cost the Packers a victory. Now, for Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings, they have to look forward to next year. The big question for the Minnesota Vikings is will Favre return next season. Only time will tell, but this was a costly missed opportunity for the Favre and the Vikings. For the New Orleans Saints, they have a chance to win it all, the Super Bowl. But, standing in there way are the Colts. We shall see if Brees can lead his team to victory again, so stay tuned.

(Sources: Fox Sports, ESPN)

It is hard to believe that this could happen before the biggest game of the season for the Chargers. It is hard enough for a wide-receiver during a game to be handcuffed by New York Jets cornerback, Darrelle Revis. But, to have it happen by the police before a playoff game is unacceptable. You can only hope that Vincent Jackson has will finally learn his lesson, but only time will tell.

(Sources: Fox Sports, San Diego Union-Tribune)

And, if that was not bad enough, New Orleans Saints running back, Reggie Bush, played an awesome game for the Saints. Reggie Bush did what he does best, making moves, avoiding tackles and scoring touchdowns. Including a 83-yard punt return for a touchdown in the 4th quarter to seal the victory for the Saints.

Now, for the Arizona Cardinals, they have to look forward to next year. But, Kurt Warner needs to figure out whether or not he will return for another season. After, the Cardinals will then need to focus on their defense. The Cardinals gave up too many points in the playoffs. As for the New Orleans Saints, they will host the NFC Championship game next week. Lets see if Drew Breeze can lead the Saints where the never been before, the Super Bowl.

(Sources: Fox Sports, ESPN)