SAN DIEGO — Used to be a time when the Broncos reveled in seeing LaDainian Tomlinson in the opposition’s backfield.
No other NFL team had the same swagger when facing the player former Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer called the best running back to play the game. Denver didn’t cower at the sight of Tomlinson, it owned him.
No more.
“He’s everything that I thought he was when I saw him on television while I was in college at Florida,” Denver rookie defensive tackle Marcus Thomas said. “He’s the toughest back I’ve seen. You have to be very gap-control consistent against him, and we weren’t very good tonight.”
The Broncos are like everyone else these days when it comes to facing Tomlinson.
“He’s the best in the business,” Denver cornerback Champ Bailey said.
On a not so merry Christmas Eve for the Broncos, they suffered a 23-3 thrashing from Tomlinson and the Chargers on Monday night. Tomlinson, who had a 17-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, gained 107 yards on 19 carries. Tomlinson played sparingly in the second half after the Chargers took a 16-0 lead at the half. He gained 80 yards on 15 carries in the first half.
Tomlinson did plenty of damage against a defense that is no longer L.T.-proof — a unit that has struggled in defending the run dating to the preseason. Poor run defense, superior back: not a good combination.
“You can’t miss him,” Denver defensive back Domonique Foxworth said. “There was a play when I didn’t square up on him, and I paid for it.”
Despite the fact Tomlinson is out of the way for at least another nine months, that doesn’t mean Denver is in the clear. In their season finale Sunday, the Broncos (6-9) must deal with sure-fire offensive rookie of the year Adrian Peterson when the Vikings visit Invesco Field with an NFC playoff spot on the line.
The ugliness Tomlinson inflicted on the Broncos continued a trend. In a 41-3 Chargers victory at Denver on Oct. 7, the worst home defeat for the Broncos in more than 40 years, Tomlinson gained 140 yards of total offense.
Last season started Tomlinson’s breakthrough against the Broncos. In a wild San Diego comeback victory at Denver, Tomlinson ran for 105 yards and three touchdowns along with making a 74-yard touchdown reception while separating a sea of defenders. Three weeks later, San Diego clinched the AFC West and Tomlinson broke the NFL single-season record for rushing touchdowns while scoring three times and gaining 103 yards on the ground.
Before last season, while Tomlinson was smoking the rest of the league, he had only two 100-yard games against the Broncos in 10 games. In 2005, he said the Broncos gave him more trouble than any other team.
No more.
The Chargers have won the AFC West three of the past four years, and Tomlinson, the 2006 NFL MVP, is the biggest reason.
The defining moment for Tomlinson on Monday night came in the second quarter after a punt by Denver’s Paul Ernster pinned San Diego at its 1-yard line. On third-and-9, a typical passing situation, the Chargers called on Tomlinson to run the ball. He ripped off an easy 11 yards, giving the Chargers a first down and giving the Broncos more fits.
“That was another example of how great he is,” Foxworth said. “Not only do they try that play, but he gets it. Unacceptable.”
Bill Williamson: 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com
