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Ryan Mathews | Running Back

Team: San Diego Chargers
Age / DOB:  (25) / 10/10/1987
Ht / Wt:  6'0' / 225
College: Fresno State
Contract: view contract details
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In a conference call with season-ticket holders, Chargers GM Tom Telesco called Ryan Mathews a "playmaker" and said he expects "big things" from the fourth-year running back.
The new Chargers regime has shown nothing but support for Mathews, but beggars can't be choosers. Telesco inherited one of the NFL's least talented rosters. He called Mathews a "great kid" who "works extremely hard," and said the Colts would "game plan around" Mathews when Telesco worked in Indy's front office. At the Combine, Telesco went so far as to suggest injury-prone Mathews would be San Diego's 2013 "bellcow" runner. The only notable backfield addition has been passing-down specialist Danny Woodhead, giving Mathews perhaps his final opportunity to prove himself an NFL lead back. May 3 - 2:18 PM
Source: chargers.com

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Date:
Ryan Mathews - RB - Chargers

Chargers GM Tom Telesco said at the Combine that he thinks Ryan Mathews can be a "bellcow" back.

Telesco added that he's a "big believer" in using two backs, but "think(s) Ryan can do it as a 1 back." Mathews was held to 3.84 YPC and one rushing touchdown in 2012 behind a dismal offensive line, and we wouldn't expect the new regime to just hand the reins back to the injury-prone runner. For the first time since Mathews has entered the league, expectations are low in fantasy land, and he'll certainly face competition. We did find this additional Telesco comment promising: "We’ve got to do a better job up front ... helping (Mathews) out, getting him involved in the passing game."
Source: Will Brinson on Twitter
Feb 21 - 1:56 PM
Ryan Mathews - RB - Chargers

New coach Mike McCoy said the Chargers could install some zone-blocking principles in 2013.

McCoy is known for adapting to his player's strengths. "We're not just going to be a zone-blocking scheme," he said. "We've never done that in the places I've been. We're going to do what our players do best and do multiple types of runs and go from there." After Ryan Mathews managed just 3.84 yards per carry last season out of a power scheme, a change can't hurt.
Source: Union-Tribune San Diego
Feb 21 - 9:09 AM
Ryan Mathews - RB - Chargers

Ryan Mathews touched the ball only five times on third down in 2012.

That's out of 223 touches. It's just one of many shocking statistics from Mathews' discouraging 2012, and indicative of former coach Norval Turner's lack of trust in a player he traded up 16 spots to get in the 2010 draft. If Mathews is to get his career back on track in 2013, he'll be doing so under a coordinator in Ken Whisenhunt who oversaw an offense that finished dead last in 2012 rushing attempts. That's despite the fact he had the worst quarterback situation in the league.
Source: What Went Wrong: Ryan Mathews
Feb 11 - 4:55 PM
Ryan Mathews - RB - Chargers

NFL Network analyst and ex-Charger LaDainian Tomlinson thinks the Chargers need to get a complementary back to pair with Ryan Mathews.

We haven't had a Chargers post in ten days, and this is the most interesting item to come out in that time frame. "Ryan has shown it's hard for him to stay healthy in the type of workload that he's had. So now, get somebody to help him. I still think he's a tremendous talent, but he needs some help in taking some of that workload off of him," said Tomlinson. The Chargers tried Jackie Battle and Ronnie Brown in that role in 2012, but they aren't realistic options moving forward.
Source: Union-Tribune San Diego
Jan 29 - 7:03 PM
Ryan Mathews - RB - Chargers

According to the Union-Tribune San Diego, there is "some doubt" in the Chargers organization that Ryan Mathews will develop into "the player that was envisioned three years ago."

Mathews no longer has his two biggest supporters in Norv Turner and A.J. Smith, the latter of whom traded up 16 spots to select him in the 2010 draft. The remaining Bolts brass believes Mathews can still have a solid career, but must "further refine the technical aspects of the position." Mathews' big-play ability also evaporated in 2012 while playing behind a talent-deficient offensive line. The Chargers have to be just as concerned about Mathews' durability now that he has six metal screws in each shoulder, holding them together.
Source: Union-Tribune San Diego
Jan 8 - 3:50 PM
Ryan Mathews - RB - Chargers

Ryan Mathews (collarbone) says his 2012 was "just a bad year," but that he still believes he has "what it takes to reach that next level, and that’s what I plan to do."

"It’s time for me to show them why they bumped up to the spot they did to draft me," Mathews said. "I’ve shown greatness at some times and I’ve shown I can be the worst player at some times. You just have to be consistent and that’s what I plan to do." While Mathews did indeed hint at greatness in 2011, he flirted with mediocrity in 2012, averaging just 3.8 yards on his 184 carries. Although it's encouraging to see Mathews heading into the offseason with a chip on his shoulder, it's far too early to forecast his 2013 fantasy value. The only thing we know for certain is that he won't approach his sky-high 2012 ADP.
Source: chargers.com
Jan 2 - 3:38 PM
Ryan Mathews - RB - Chargers

Ryan Mathews (collarbone, injured reserve) is expected to be 100 percent "well in time" for the beginning of the Chargers' offseason program.

Coming off an extremely disappointing season, Mathews will at least be able to get in a full offseason. Although Mathews has broken both of his collarbones since August, he isn't believed to be at an increased risk of future injury. An orthopedic surgeon tells the Union-Tribune San Diego that someone breaking both their collarbones in a four-month span is less likely than getting struck by lightning. Mathews' fantasy future has dimmed regardless, but how much will depend on who is coaching the Bolts in 2013.
Source: Union-Tribune San Diego
Tue, Dec 18, 2012 11:00:00 PM
Ryan Mathews - RB - Chargers

Ryan Mathews broke his left collarbone in Sunday's Week 15 loss to the Panthers and is done for the season.

Mathews broke his right collarbone in the preseason. Seemingly confirming the notion that he's "made of glass," Mathews fractured the other clavicle on an early second-quarter reception against Carolina and will miss Weeks 16-17. Curtis Brinkley and Jackie Battle will finish out the season as San Diego's top two tailbacks, unless Ronnie Brown returns from his hamstring injury. Mathews' injury ends one of the most disappointing seasons in recent fantasy memory. Selected in the first three rounds of drafts, Mathews entered Week 15 as the No. 25 overall fantasy running back and will finish outside of the top 30. He was the No. 7 fantasy running back in 2011.
Source: Michael Gehlken on Twitter
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 07:57:00 PM
Ryan Mathews - RB - Chargers

Ryan Mathews exited Sunday's game with a second-quarter shoulder injury and is done for the day.

Mathews' return was initially reported to be questionable, but he was downgraded to doubtful and eventually "out" after being examined in the locker room. Expected to be San Diego's every-snap back Sunday with Ronnie Brown (hamstring) inactive, Mathews racked up seven touches early, gaining 30 yards before the injury. The Bolts have turned to Jackie Battle and Curtis Brinkley at tailback.
Source: Michael Gehlken on Twitter
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 05:01:00 PM
Ryan Mathews - RB - Chargers

The Union-Tribune San Diego expects Ryan Mathews to break or near his career high of 29 touches against the Panthers.

According to reliable beat writer Michael Gehlken, the Bolts want Mathews "heavily involved with Ronnie Brown likely out." That's been our expectation all week, though with Mathews averaging just 3.8 yards per carry and 4.3 yards per touch, it's hard to get excited about him as anything more than a low-end RB2/flex. Mathews carried the rock 25 times in Week 14, but gained just 65 yards (2.6 YPC). However, if you have a shaky running back corps, Mathews' expected workload is a compelling tiebreaker.
Source: Michael Gehlken on Twitter
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 05:23:00 PM
Ryan Mathews - RB - Chargers

Ryan Mathews rushed 25 times for 65 yards in the Chargers' Week 14 win over the Steelers.

Mathews was an absolute workhorse. Running behind a makeshift offensive line missing three starters, he put his head down and got what was blocked. That resulted in a meager long run of nine yards. Still, Mathews certainly gained some faith from his coaches and teammates by taking the punishment and not fumbling despite the season-high carries. He'll find the sledding much smoother against the Panthers next week, putting him on the RB2 radar.
Sun, Dec 9, 2012 04:46:00 PM
Ryan Mathews - RB - Chargers

Chargers coach Norv Turner pulled Ryan Mathews aside after Sunday's loss to the Bengals to address comments he made about Mathews' poor "vision" in a pre-game interview with CBS announcers.

The CBS announcers passed along what Turner told them during the broadcast. Turner softened his take in the Mathews meeting. "I said we’re working on his vision," Turner said. "I don’t think that there’s a lot of room to run where his vision is an issue. ... We’re working on his decision making." Added Turner, "It’s hard to get in a rhythm and be the type of runner he can be. He’s proven, when there’s holes and opportunity to run, he’s a good back."
Source: Union-Tribune San Diego
Mon, Dec 3, 2012 03:30:00 PM
Ryan Mathews - RB - Chargers

Coach Norv Turner attributed Ryan Mathews' Week 13 struggles to an overwhelmed offensive line dealing with multiple injuries.

"When you start moving people around in there ... then that probably would answer the question for you," said Turner. "I don't know if I'm going to look at and say Ryan had a lot of room to run." It's going to be hard for Mathews to turn his disappointing season around behind a talent-challenged front five.
Source: Union-Tribune San Diego
Mon, Dec 3, 2012 01:17:00 AM
Ryan Mathews - RB - Chargers

Ryan Mathews rushed nine times for 26 yards and caught three passes for 25 yards in the Chargers' Week 13 loss to Cincinnati.

Mathews is running without confidence, trying to bounce outside, and simply not seeing things well ahead of him on the field. The CBS announcers mentioned during the game that coach Norv Turner believes Mathews' poor "vision" has prevented him from being a true "franchise back." After Mathews finished No. 7 overall in fantasy points per game among running backs last season, we've lost faith that he can end up in this year's top 20. He'll be a low-end flex option at Pittsburgh next week.
Sun, Dec 2, 2012 08:02:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Philip Rivers
2Charlie Whitehurst
3Brad Sorensen
4Mike Hermann
RB1Ryan Mathews
2Danny Woodhead
3Ronnie Brown
4Edwin Baker
5Fozzy Whittaker
GLB1Ryan Mathews
2Ronnie Brown
3RB1Danny Woodhead
2Ronnie Brown
FB1Le'Ron McClain
2Chris Gronkowski
WR11Danario Alexander
2Vincent Brown
3Eddie Royal
4Richard Goodman
5Deon Butler
WR21Malcom Floyd
2Keenan Allen
3Robert Meachem
4Mike Willie
5Luke Tasker
WR31Vincent Brown
TE1Antonio Gates
2John Phillips
3Ladarius Green
4Dallas Walker
5Ben Cotton
K1Nick Novak