SAN DIEGO -- A lot is being made of what San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates said about playing without former star running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

Tomlinson In interviews with the San Diego Union-Tribune, both Rivers and Gates indicated that it is probably for the best that Tomlinson has moved on. He was cut by the Chargers after nine years in February. He was signed by the Jets.

In response to Rivers and Gates’ very benign comments, Tomlinson had this to say: "Honestly, I really have no reaction to it," he told the New York Post. "I don't spend any of my time thinking about what's going on there because I'm so focused in this football team and job at hand. I've moved on."

It’s nice to see Tomlinson say he's moved on. In the weeks prior to and following his release, Tomlinson took several shots at the Chargers. He blamed general manager A.J. Smith for his release, he blamed coach Norv Turner for going away from the running attack (the Chargers were 31st in the NFL on the ground last year) and he hinted the offensive line may have not done him any favors.

The Chargers stayed quiet on the L.T. front until Rivers’ and Gates’ comments. Again, these were far from vicious knocks on Tomlinson.

I’ve spent the past few days at the Chargers’ training camp and it is crystal clear San Diego, as an organization, is relieved Tomlinson is gone. The team still respects what he did as a Charger, but they thought it was time to move on because Tomlinson simply wasn’t helping on the field and his sometimes-selfish demeanor created pressure in the locker room.

The word is that the offensive line is inspired to show they weren’t the problem last year and the team is ecstatic about top-pick Ryan Mathews. So, it’s good that Tomlinson is moving on. There’s no doubt, the Chargers are as well.