ShareThisBy LEE RASIZER
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
For all of LaDainian Tomlinson's accomplishments, including the unprecedented streak of 15 touchdowns in five games he currently is enjoying, he merely has been human playing in Denver.
The running back isn't alone among recent players for the San Diego Chargers, who have lost 10 of 11 and 17 of 19 in Colorado's thin air.
Not only is Tomlinson winless in five trips to Invesco Field at Mile High, where he and the Chargers will play Sunday against the Broncos in a battle of 7-2 teams, he never has rushed for more than 75 yards there. And that performance dates to his rookie season.
Tomlinson has averaged 52.8 yards in five games in Denver (264 yards on 77 carries). His 3.4-yards- a-carry output is 1 yard fewer than he has gained in any other stadium, with only two touchdowns in Denver, both last season in a 20-17 loss.
So, what gives?
"I haven't had the ball much, for whatever reason," Tomlinson said Wednesday. "They end up taking me out of the game, whether we get behind or are not running the ball much, that's been the case."
Tomlinson has averaged 15.4 attempts in Denver, 6.5 below his career average against the rest of the league. The Chargers have been outscored 82-17 during the first half at Invesco Field since 2001.
Still, Tomlinson has been contained during those instances he had the ball, too.
Broncos defensive coordinator Larry Coyer chalks it up to good fortune and, often, holding his breath.
The more technical answer boils down to gap control and solid tackling.
"We've played very disciplined in trying to make sure he doesn't hit creases," Coyer said. "And we've been able to make a play or two."
Added defensive line coach Andre Patterson: "It's not like we have some secret formula."
If the Broncos did, it's a given the rest of the league would be swigging it in large quantities.
Tomlinson's current scoring frenzy broke Jim Brown's record of 14 touchdowns in five games in 1958.
To put in perspective the 15 trips to the end zone since Oct. 15, the total is two fewer than the combined career rushing touchdowns of every running back on the Broncos roster and two short of the Broncos' touchdowns total this season. Tomlinson's 18 touchdowns this season eclipse both Broncos statistics.
Tomlinson has set another NFL mark for scoring pace in the first nine games of a season. Teams know he's getting the ball and still can't stop him. Tomlinson is running around and through would-be tacklers, and he has three straight 100-yard games entering Sunday.
"I think that defines greatness," Coyer said, adding it's "unbelievable" the kind of cutback ability and acceleration Tomlinson has shown lately.
"It's scary to watch," Coyer added. "Good players are missing tackles; I mean, whiffing."
Tomlinson has 98 touchdowns in 88 games and would be the quickest to reach 100 should he get two during the next four games. Brown and Emmitt Smith took 93 games to reach the century mark.
"The thing that's going to push you over is how bad you want it and your determination to score," Tomlinson said of his method to finding the end zone so often.
Finding holes against the Broncos has been more difficult, no matter the location.
While Tomlinson has averaged 115.2 yards at home against the Broncos, that figure is skewed by a 37-carry, 220-yard game during the 2002 season at Qualcomm Stadium. He has only one 100-yard performance in nine other games against the Broncos.
It's just the drop-off is more pronounced playing in Denver, where he has surpassed 60 yards once.
"They know us," Tomlinson said. "They know exactly what we like to do, and so they play well against us knowing what we do well. Obviously, when you play a team twice a year, that's going to tend to happen.
"With the kind of players that they have on defense, it's really hard to have success against teams that know you and have great players."
Tomlinson needs 68 yards to reach 1,000 for the sixth straight season.
"He wants to run the ball, and they like to pound the rock," Broncos defensive tackle Demetrin Veal said. "So it's going to be one of those games where you have to be physical right back with him."
The Broncos' fifth-ranked run defense has, in Coyer's estimation, been consistent. After allowing several breakout runs during the first couple of games, the Broncos have settled down and are yielding 86.2 rushing yards a game.
There has not been a 100-yard game against the Broncos since the Baltimore Ravens carried 25 times for 103 yards Oct. 9, and there has been one 20-yard run by an individual since Sept. 17.
