Changes

"When did the floodgates open?"

"When the water got here."

Friday was the start of free agency and the new NFL year, and what a start! So long Kassim, Cro, Bennett and Manu. So long (for now) Jamal. Welcome back (for now) Sproles.

In my own humble opinion, tendering Sproles just makes sense. He's not the only answer at running back, but he was just too valuable to let him walk without at least using the tender and trying to get something in return. I hope they can agree on a long term deal, because otherwise I fear he'll be the next Charger to leave town this offseason via trade.

Speaking of leaving, please don't leave Jamal! I really hope he and the team can work something out for him to come back, because a healthy J-Wall, even in a limited rotation, is such a valuable thing. I honestly remember losing sleep last fall during the week that he was put on IR, and I think a lot more sleep with be lost by Bolts fans next year if he can't be brought back or replaced with a new star nose tackle. Its amazing what his release says about football. There are probably 5 people on the planet who can do what a healthy Jamal Williams can do on a football field. His value to a 3-4 team is unquestionable and usually irreplaceable. Running backs may be fungible, but quality nose tackles certainly are not.

Yet 6 million dollars, in an uncapped year no less, was too much for the Chargers to handle given his age and durability concerns. This is a guy who just a year ago was playing at a Pro-bowl level and has anchored the defense for a decade, and by all indications was recovering just fine from his injury. But still, it was just too much. Contrast that with baseball or basketball, where you have less valuable players with more common skill sets earning far, far more than that, and its all guaranteed. I love the NFL, but compared to other sports its players often get a raw deal.

Despite your raw deal, please come back Jamal! We love you! And if you should decide to make a clean break and sign elsewhere, no hard feelings and good luck. Unless Norv decides to run Sproles straight into you on 4th and 2, a collision which I'm pretty sure would be close to the meeting of matter and anti-matter.