Posted by Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune March 08, 2009 1:21PM

If it were up to Saints quarterback Drew Brees, he’d love to be reunited with close friend and former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson if the San Diego Chargers cut the former MVP tailback loose.

While discussing Tomlinson’s contract standoff on San Diego radio station XX 1090 AM, Brees said the “best case scenario” would be for Tomlinson to stay in San Diego because of what he’s meant to the team, the fans and the community. But he also admitted, “I’m just waiting for the opportunity if he is available to come and snatch him away.”

When asked if he has discussed that possibility with Tomlinson, Brees said, “I think that’s pretty obvious, don’t you think?”
When the radio hosts jokingly brought up the idea of tampering, Brees backed off and said, “No, it’s just two buddies talkin’ on the phone.”

And obviously Brees was speaking more in fantasy terms than reality terms. We still think the idea of Tomlinson landing in New Orleans is pretty far-fetched, considering their lack of salary-cap space and the depth they already have at the tailback with Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas.

But obviously the scenario can’t be ruled out. Brees does have a tremendous amount of pull at Saints headquarters.

I’m planning to talk with Brees this week, so I’ll definitely prod him on the subject – though I expect him to be much more guarded the next time around.

Before the LT-to-New Orleans idea was brought up, Brees said he doesn’t think Tomlinson should be willing to accept a pay cut from the Chargers, “because look at his track record.”

“Many people could say, ‘Oh he had a decline this year,’ but I disagree with that,” Brees said. “He was banged up for the majority of the year, and I think that’s just part of the game at times. I mean the guy has missed one start his entire NFL career, so if you’re going to sit here and tell me he’s not a durable guy, then you’re crazy.

“I think he’s still got a lot of motivation. I think he’s got a lot of fight and fire left in him. And you know he can still be a very productive player. So I don’t see any reason why he should be taking a pay cut at this point.”

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