Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

In truly clichéd fashion LaDainian Tomlinson signed a one-day contract with the San Diego Chargers so he could carry on the time honored tradition of all Charger greats by leaving the game without a championship ring. I guess this should be the point in time when I set aside my grievances with all things San Diego to show proper respect for one of the best running backs to enter the game in the last 20 years. But I just can’t.

I can’t strip from my mind the many images of Tomlinson running through, around and over silver and black jerseys like Warren Sapp does a group of children when oven-fresh pizza is served at Chuck E. Cheese’s.

I’ll never forget 2006 when my girlfriend at the time made a noble effort to snap me out of a funk I was in by buying Raiders-Chargers tickets. We made the trek from L.A. to the Bay just to see Randy Moss suffer a rib injury in the first quarter and to watch in horror as LT ran, caught and threw for a TD.

Many moments like that are frozen in my mind. I would have reoccurring nightmares of that visor running by me in a blur so fast you weren’t sure if it was a Hall of Fame running back or Snake Eyes from G.I. Joe that just sped past.

Now let me make something clear. I’m not a complete hater. I had nothing but respect for Junior Seau. I always admired the way Derrick Thomas went about his business. To this day I’ll even argue that John Elway was the best quarterback I’ve ever seen. I even grew to like Steve Largent at one point in time. Every one of them an AFC West rival and every one of them I’d have gladly welcomed to the silver and black.

With LT it’s just something different. I know how nice the dude was. He killed my favorite team plenty of times and did the same to a few of my fantasy teams for good measure. However I’m not even going to debate his place in history. He’s not even in the convo for best running back ever in my mind. But I will say this much. He had a stretch of years that were as dominant as any we’ve ever seen from a running back.

That’s about as close as I’ll come to complimenting Tomlinson. Otherwise to me he’s just another Charger that teased his bandwagon fans with false Super Bowl aspirations. Say whatever you will of his absolute ownership of Oakland – it never amounted to anything more than bragging rights. You Dolt fans can have those. Bragging rights don’t come with a Lombardi trophy, at least not in San Diego.

Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

Brett Favre this wasn’t but the Peyton Manning takeover has certainly monopolized most of the NFL headlines this offseason. So it was only a matter of time until we here at JBB, a blog 100% dedicated to all things Raiders and nothing else, were forced to talk Manning.

Behold…the new quarterback of the Denver Broncos will be…Peyton Manning.

What does all this mean to Oakland? Well, obviously the Raiders will get a double dose of Manning as part of the two times the silver and black will tangle with the Donkeys this season. It also means Reggie McKenzie’s quest for more veteran cornerbacks and a pass rusher to replace Kamerion Wimbley just got a lot more intense. Need I remind you of the last time Manning came to the Bay?

Let’s not forget that Tim Tebow carved up the Oakland secondary last season. How do you think Manning will fare? Then again, exactly what kind of condition is that neck in? Not at all saying I’d wish a life threatening injury on another player, nor am I advocating that Dennis Allen installs the Gregg Williams incentive program. But as a man that played defense once upon a time the unwritten rule is that if a man with an injury steps on the field then the first clean shot you get you’re to test his health.

That’s just football. It’s a part of the game whether Roger Goodell likes it or not.

Aside from what we see on the field the other part of this game is the business aspect. From a business standpoint John Elway has made the decision to divorce himself from Tebow. I’m sure there is some special circle in hell for those that doubt the second coming but religion’s got nothing on winning Super Bowls.

Go ahead a put my name on the VIP list for that room in hell too cause I’ll take a sinner that wins over a holy man that sells jerseys. Manning has a Super Bowl ring. Tebow has a purity ring. You do the math.

Before I become the target of hate let me make it clear that I’m not anti-religion. I’ll take Kurt Warner on my squad any day. I’m against all those that confuse hard work and skill with Bible verse and player.

All that being said…

Did Denver make the right decision?

Doesn’t really matter. What matters is, if Manning is right, the Broncos just got the biggest upgrade at quarterback in the AFC West. The move doesn’t guarantee a divisional crown but I don’t see 8-8 being good enough to compete any longer.

Moves like this illustrate the urgency in pro football. Hue Jackson’s move to aggressively go after Carson Palmer was bold yet ultimately wasn’t enough to get the Raiders over the hump. For all we know that could be the same story with Manning. Only time will tell. Right about now it’s time for the Raiders to really focus on defense. This team can go toe-to-toe with any offense in the NFL. But keeping other teams out of the end zone is what will win consistently. That task just got a little more difficult with the arrival of Mile High Manning.

Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

There are no secrets in the AFC West. Not when you’re talking about some of the most historic rivalries in the history of football. Over the years coaches, players and front office personnel have freely moved between AFC West franchises, surely sharing vital information along the way.

In the past it was guys like return specialist Darrien Gordon have gone from the Chargers to the Broncos and finally the Raiders. More recently we’ve seen Norv Turner depart Oakland and head south to San Diego.

That is nothing new under the sun. However this offseason could see the Raiders help to fill out the rosters of their AFC West rivals. We’ve already had one such instance as Stanford Routt took his penalties to Kansas City. Don’t be surprised if more players take Routt’s lead.

A few years back there were rumors that the Chargers had approached the Raiders to see what it would take to get Michael Bush into powered blue. Naturally Al Davis passed on any offers for Bush but then ultimately failed to secure Bush’s services for the long haul. Now that same man is set to hit the open market. After his record setting destruction of the Dolts this season I’m guessing Coach Turner would love to welcome Bush to SoCal. The Chargers could see Mike Tolbert depart via free agency and though Ryan Mathews has shown promise he’s not shown nearly the game Bush has displayed.

Aside from speculation on Bush there is a 100% chance of Jason Campbell taking his services elsewhere. The second Carson Palmer became a Raider JC began updating his resume. As it stands both the Broncos and Chiefs could be in the market for a veteran QB. John Elway needs an insurance policy as he knows the clock is close to hitting midnight on Tebow Time. There a rumblings that the Chiefs are finally ready to pull the plug on the Matt Cassel project. Of course Campbell might be looking to go somewhere else for a better chance at starting. None the less staying in the AFC West is a real possibility.

One man the Raiders kept out of reach from their rivals was Tyvon Branch. By extending the franchise tag to their top safety Oakland ensured that teams looking for help in the last line of defense couldn’t plunder their booty. Both San Diego and Denver could have been in on the Branch sweepstakes. Instead they’ll have to looks elsewhere.

Aside from Routt, none of those aforementioned dominos have been tipped. What is being cooked up in Reggie McKenzie’s office could lead to even more AFC West defection.

We already know about the contract ultimatum issued to Kamerion Wimbley. If he’s sent to pasture then I could also see San Diego interested in his services as a pass rusher. Aaron Curry is another name we’ve see floating around the rumor mill. Unlike many of the men we’ve discussed Curry isn’t nearly the same caliber of player. Oakland gave him a second chance and he didn’t exactly turn the tide of his career.

There are also more marginal players the Raiders aren’t likely to retain. Men such as Trevor Scott and Chaz Schilens. Both have had moments of brilliance and both have had injury issues. Certainly other teams around the AFC West will be very familiar with their talents too.

While none of the players discussed are of the franchise variety all can contribute in meaningful ways under the right set of circumstances. Bush would certainly make San Diego’s run game much more deadly while Campbell could be the real Mile High Messiah Denver is looking for. But in the end that’s just how business is done in football. McKenzie needs cap space and you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. And not every time you’re making an omelet are you the one eating it. McKenzie could be prepping a feast for one of his rivals or he could be giving them rotten eggs. Only time will tell.