The first three days of NFL free agency had plenty of big name players on the move. None of those names included guys who play running back. Unless you consider Chester Taylor a star, but I would imagine most people don’t. It’s little surprise, but backs over 30 aren’t seen as sound investments for owners and GMs.

Brian Westbrook, LaDainian Tomlinson and Thomas Jones all dominated the last decade. That was then. Now, all three are on the wrong side of 30 in search of new digs. After suffering through various injuries and logging over 6300 carries between them, this once great trio of runners are no longer viable options for most teams.

Part of the problem is all three still believe they can be starters. Jones, coming off a 1400 yard season, has the best argument, but the fact that he’ll be 32 before September makes him a risk. Meanwhile, Westy and LT have been falling since 2008 and both have battled injuries during that time.

Westbrook should contemplate retirement. His ailing knees and recent concussions have turned him into a shadow of his Pro Bowl self. Tomlinson has lost his burst and his per carry average has declined each of the last four years. Neither is capable of carrying the load for an entire season.

Will all three find a new job? Probably. Jones is already drawing interest from Kansas City, where he would split carries with Jamaal Charles. As for Westbrook and Tomlinson, the phones aren’t ringing, yet. Teams are always looking for running back depth, so these ex-studs should land somewhere. Although, I would suggest they lower their expectations.