LaDainian Tomlinson's recent comments about preferring a spot in the Hall of Fame to a Super Bowl ring say a lot about his career, according to a source. "That's why the Chargers could never win the big one," the source said. "L.T. was selfish and a selfish leader. They had all the talent in the world and should have beaten the Patriots [in 2006], but they couldn't do it because they had too many guys like L.T. and he was the ringleader." "LaDainian was a great player, but he was never a champion and he never behaved like one," the source added.

LaDainian Tomlinson didn't hesitate when asked on Monday where he would prefer a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame or a Super Bowl ring. "Hall of Fame player without a ring, because you've got to sacrifice so much individually just to be good," Tomlinson told NBC SportsTalk. "They draft you individually and you've got to back them up and make them right. I think at the end of the day, even though I didn't win a Super Bowl ring, I felt like I backed them up for drafting me. I backed up the San Diego Chargers for picking me with the fifth pick."

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson officially retired as a Charger on Monday. But Tomlinson told the San Diego Union-Tribune on Saturday that he considered joining one of the Chargers' rivals, the Broncos. "The only team I really gave a thought to was the Broncos, because of Peyton (Manning)," Tomlinson told the Union-Tribune.

Joined by his family and several former teammates, LaDainian Tomlinson ended his 11-year NFL career the same way he started it, with the Chargers. Tomlinson signed a one-day contract with the Chargers on Monday and then announced his retirement. "It wasn't because I didn't want to play anymore. It was simply time to move on," Tomlinson said.

LaDainian Tomlinson will sign with the Chargers and then announce his retirement on Monday. Tomlinson was the NFL MVP in 2006 with San Diego and is the fifth-leading rusher in league history. The five-time Pro Bowler finishes his career with 13,684 yards and 145 rushing touchdowns (second all-time). His 162 total touchdowns are third-best in NFL history behind Jerry Rice (208) and Emmitt Smith (175).

Longtime Chargers general manager A.J. Smith believes that he has failed in his tenure with the franchise. "I've failed in every single attempt, and that kills me. I hate to lose. Hate it," Smith told U-T San Diego. "Do that and you're a LOSER. Hopefully you get a chance to try again?" Smith refuses to call San Diego a winner. "When you don't win a world championship, are you not a loser?" he asked. "The New York Giants won the Super Bowl. Call me crazy, but everyone else lost. That's all that matters to me." Smith has another chance this season after owner Dean Spanos went against popular opinion to retain his general manager and coach Norv Turner after the Chargers missed the playoffs for a second straight season. "When I sit back and assess myself, I'm disappointed," Smith said. "Nine years and no world championship. Five trips to the postseason and five failures, and I don't like it. It's what drives me."

The Chargers are one of the teams interested in holding a tryout for Brian Banks, who last month was exonerated of a rape conviction that put him in prison for five years. On Thursday, Banks was offered a formal tryout by the Seahawks. Banks also was to work out for the Redskins on Friday.

The Chargers have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with running back and former first-round draft pick Ronnie Brown. Brown spent the 2011 season with the Eagles, where he played in all 16 games as a backup to starter LeSean McCoy. Brown started two games for the Eagles and finished the year with 136 yards and a touchdown on the ground. A former Auburn Tiger, Brown was the second overall pick in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Dolphins. In six seasons for the Dolphins, Brown rushed for 4,815 yards and 36 touchdowns, while catching 184 passes for 1,491 yards and a pair of scores. Brown posted his only 1,000-yard season in 2006, rushing for 1,008 yards for the Dolphins. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2008 after scoring a career-high 10 touchdowns, while rushing for 916 yards. Entering his eighth NFL season, Brown has played in 92 career games with 73 starts.