NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

It appears that the Chargers are going to do a 180 when it comes to their running back spot for the 2010 season. Today a source stated that the team will not tender a contract to Darren Sproles, allowing the back to test the free agent market this spring.

The move comes just four days after the team released LaDainianTomlinson, who ranks eighth on the all-time rushing list with 12,490 yards. If the Chargers wanted to keep Sproles, they'd have to make him an offer of about $7.3 million.

The Chargers have always valued Sproles as a multiple threat. While they can still talk with Sproles about a long-term deal, other teams might want to give him a shot as a featured back. Sproles has said he believes he can be an every-down back. The Chargers have used him as a backup running back, return man and as a receiver out of the backfield.

He made about $6.6 million last season after being tagged as a franchise player. Tomlinson made about $6 million. Still, the Chargers' running game ranked second-to-last in the league. Sproles was second to Tomlinson last year with 343 yards and three touchdowns on 93 carries, an average of 3.7 yards per carry. He was fourth with 45 catches for 497 yards and four TDs. He was also the primary kickoff and punt returner and scored on a punt return.

Chester Taylor is one running back that could get some serious looks on the free agent market. With that, the Vikings are still looking to keep the backup to A.P., and the Star-Tribune reports today that the agent for Taylor and the Vikings are talking about what it could take to bring him back to Minnesota:

The Vikings and running back Chester Taylor’s agent, Ken Sarnoff, held initial discussions at the NFL Scouting Combine and have plans to meet again. All indications are that the Vikings’ goal is to keep Taylor as their third-down back behind Adrian Peterson. Childress said he did not know how attractive Taylor would find it to leave Minnesota to be the lead runner for a team. “You’d have to speak to Chester about that,” Childress said. “To see what he aspires to right now. I know I met with all those guys [pending free agents] before they left and the conversations were good. He knows how we feel about him, but I’m never going to begrudge anybody an opportunity to make money.”

Via The Big O Radio Show on WQAM 560, Dolphins starting nickel corner Nathan Jones will not re-sign with the Dolphins before the free agency period starts.

I believe that both the Dolphins and Jones have mutual interest in each other, but this may be just an attempt at making more money before the potential 2011 NFL lockout next year.

If Jones were to go elsewhere, the Dolphins would be lacking some of the depth that they had last year in the secondary.

The Jaguars had lady luck on their side on Friday, as the team won the coin flip over the Bears, and will draft 10th in the first round in April’s NFL Draft. The Titans won their coin flip vs Carolina and will draft 16th in the first round, and the Texans lost their flip with the Falcons and will draft 20th in the first round. Below is the order with the results from Friday.

2010 NFL Draft