"Having been through a lot of stuff that he's going through, I could kind of help him go through it without any headaches. Also, just the approach to the game and also the offseason. I think I could help him out a lot."
Thursday's meeting between Tomlinson and the Vikings brass likely got into the exact specifics of how he would be used in the offense. Asked what he expected out of that meeting, Tomlinson said: "I think we're just going to get in, talk about some football and stuff. Philosophies. That type of stuff."
Tomlinson's agent, Tom Condon, also was in Minneapolis on Thursday but part of the reason was because he provided testimony in the StarCaps case involving his client, Kevin Williams, of the Vikings. Still, it's probable contract figures have been discussed.
Rick Spielman, the Vikings vice president of player personnel, appeared on KFAN Radio on Thursday morning and acknowledged that Tomlinson might take some time to make a decision. "This could be a process that could continue on and he may want to look at both options," Spielman said. "Just because a guy comes in on a visit and we don't get something done today it doesn't mean that something won't get done down the road either."
Coming off a season in which he had career lows in rushing yards (730), carries (223) and receptions (20), Tomlinson could have an interesting choice to make if it comes down to the Vikings and Jets. Both teams were in their conference's respective championship games this past season and appear to be in solid shape.
The Jets, though, could offer Tomlinson far more carries than the Vikings. New York jettisoned Thomas Jones before he was due a $3 million roster bonus, leaving former Iowa Hawkeye Shonn Greene as the likely starter.
Said Spielman on KFAN: "The one thing that we always try to make sure of when these players come in is not only is he a good fit for us but is it a good fit for the player and does he want to be here? ... You don't want to go ahead and sign a player and force something on him and he's not totally comfortable here. Then we're not going to get the production we need out of him if he's not comfortable coming to work."