Tomlinson expected back for Jets

Mike Tannenbaum has maintained that LaDainian Tomlinson would be back for a second season with the Jets, although the general manager left the door slightly ajar just in case by saying "things could change."

Evidently, nothing has changed.

Tomlinson is expected back for the 2011 season - if there is one - to complete his two-year deal, a source confirmed Tuesday. The future Hall of Famer paced the Jets' rushing attack with 914 yards and six touchdowns, both team highs, and formed a formidable tandem with second-year man Shonn Greene.

Questions regarding Tomlinson's future with the Jets arose from his gradual decline in production as the season wore on. After rushing for 490 yards and five touchdowns in his first six games, Tomlinson ran for only 424 yards and one score in his next nine. (He sat out the meaningless Week 17 game against the Bills.)

Tomlinson topped 100 yards in rushing only once and failed to run for more than 57 yards in any of his final nine regular-season games. Rex Ryan also started giving Tomlinson one practice day off per week near the end of the regular season to keep him fresh.

But Tomlinson, who will be 32 in June and is scheduled to earn a base salary of $2.4 million, showed he still had something left in the tank during the playoffs. He rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns in three postseason games, with 82 yards and both scores coming in the wild-card win over the Colts in Indianapolis.

Tomlinson believes he still can play and has made it known that he wasn't ready to call it a career after running for 13,404 yards in 10 seasons, placing him sixth on the all-time list.

"Really and truly, I'm under contract, and I fully expect to play football with the Jets next year," Tomlinson said last month at a fundraiser in Texas. "Until I'm told otherwise, I just expect to be there.''

Jets tender nine. The Jets announced they have made tender offers to nine players, all of whom would be restricted free agents under the current collective-bargaining agreement, set to expire at midnight Thursday. WR Santonio Holmes and CB Antonio Cromartie received the highest level of tender: a first- and a third-round pick. KR/WR Brad Smith (second), QB Kellen Clemens (third), S Eric Smith (third), K Nick Folk (sixth), CB Drew Coleman (sixth) also were tendered. S James Ihedigbo and C Rob Turner were given the right of refusal tenders . . . The Jets also officially announced they have released T Damien Woody, DT Kris Jenkins and LB Jason Taylor . . . FB Tony Richardson's days with the franchise appear to be numbered with John Conner waiting in the wings.