LT's Quick Release, Fisher's Coaching

It's done, LT is gone.

As I suspected, the Chargers moved quickly to release LaDainian Tomlinson, letting him go Monday, barely two weeks after the Super Bowl. The Bolts front office had every reason to wait and try to get a late-round draft pick or some other player for him in a trade, but those post-season comments that took back everything he'd said previously forced their hand. The move had to be made sooner rather than later.

The bitterest pill is sometimes the best. Both sides can move on. The Chargers can scout college ball-carriers and Tomlinson will have plenty of time to look for a new employer. Making the move now prevents the hard feelings that could develop if the episode were to drag out. When the time does come, Tomlinson will have no qualms retiring and entering the Hall of Fame as a Charger.

Otherwise, Chargers fans should be grateful that this talented player and special person spent nine seasons here, sharing himself with the fans and the community at-large. Hopes for the best for him in the future.

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I have no idea if San Diego State's mens basketball team will win at BYU Wednesday or make the NCAA Tournament, but I will go out on a limb and say that this season has been Steve Fisher's best coaching job in his 11 years at SDSU. For him to mold three high-profile transfers who were disgruntled at their former schools, two major high school recruits and a couple of holdovers into a quality team as quickly as he has is an amazing piece of work.

Former Pepperdine players Malcom Thomas and Tyrone Shelley came here believing they were huge stars who would carry the team. Heck, Thomas was even tempted to try to take a shot at the NBA. Shelley always had the "big scorer" rep but came into the season injured and lost his shooting touch. To mold those egos into a team concept and to give each of them a role has taken time, but the work has paid off. Brian Carlwell from Illinois didn't have the ego but has been a vocal team leader who has clearly helped with his teammates' transition. Fisher also allowed freshman Kawhi Leonard to become a star and fellow first-year player Chase Tapley to be a solid contributor.

Add to all that DJ Gay taking the point after spending most of his first two seasons as a 2-guard. The transition was rough at times, but since about mid-January he's been effective.

The Aztecs now have a chance to beat BYU and a solid shot at the Big Dance. I don't know if they'll accomplish one or the other, or hopefully both, but the idea that both are within their grasp is solid evidence of the quality of Fisher's work.