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Ryan Mathews News & Rumors

Notebook: Mathews rolling 'em up now
December 12
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Ryan Mathews almost had his third straight 100-yard game by halftime. "It was fun," said Mathews, who ran 13 times for 95 yards in the first two quarters. "When the offense clicks like that and when you're making plays like that, it's fun." It does appear that Mathews is getting to that point, where the game has slowed down and is full of enjoyment."
Ryan Mathews' status a concern
November 2
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The injury story line this week will revolve largely around who will be available in the Chargers' offensive backfield for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers. Mike Tolbert, who tested his hamstring extensively at Arrowhead Stadium before Monday night's game, is expected to return. The status of Ryan Mathews, who injured his groin and left Monday's game in the fourth quarter, and Curtis Brinkley, who suffered a concussion near the end of the game, won't be known until later in the week. It is feared that Mathews will miss his first game of the season."
Mathews, Tolbert on record pace
October 18
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"They're back, though it remains to be seen if they will get back on their extraordinary pass-catching pace. A strained calf and a concussion slowed their assault on the record book, but Chargers running backs Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert returned to practice Monday and, seemingly fully healthy, are still on track to cover more ground through the air than any running back tandem in NFL history."
Hester the lone runner left after injuries
October 10
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"At this time, perhaps a resume review is in order. Mike Tolbert knows it by heart. "Jacob Hester," said Tolbert. "Look at him. All-SEC running back, LSU, national champions. He's a natural running back who had to learn to be a fullback. Never any doubt he could handle the job." The job's a dangerous one — running back in the NFL — and the perils of the position are becoming painfully clear to a Chargers team that's been beaming over the balance its ground game has been providing. Their win over the Denver Broncos ended, however, with Hester at running back and tight end Randy McMichael in Hester's fullback spot."
Floyd, Jackson, Mathews practice full
October 1
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Practice has been patchwork for most of the week. The Chargers hope the game will be more fluid, particularly with less moving parts on offense. It is a virtual certainty that the Chargers will face the Miami Dolphins without cornerback Quentin Jammer and tight end Antonio Gates, both of whom were listed as doubtful on Friday's injury report after not practicing all week due to their respective hamstring and foot injuries. But the Chargers will have wide receivers Malcom Floyd (groin) and Vincent Jackson (abdomen), who were listed as questionable, and running back Ryan Mathews (foot), who is probable after all three practiced full on Friday."
Mathews Hits the Brakes
September 30
Rotoworld.com
 
"Ryan Mathews' foot must be distressingly unfamiliar with Latin cliches. Carpe diem, Veni, vidi, vici, whatever — Mathews' foot is having none of it. After seemingly seizing control of the Chargers backfield with three straight excellent performances to begin the season as Mike Tolbert faltered, Mathews now finds himself as he was for most of his lost rookie campaign: banged up. Limited in practice Wednesday, Mathews was downgraded to out Thursday after waking up with more soreness than expected in his ailing foot. He's vowed to return "full speed" Friday, but in what is fast becoming the year of the empty injury guarantee, it would no longer be wise to assume Mathews will be unencumbered"
Ryan Mathews sits again, knows he needs to stay ready
September 30
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"It does not appear that Ryan Mathews' foot soreness will keep him out of Sunday's game. But he was forced to miss practice again Thursday. While that has been an issue through his first year-plus in the NFL, Mathews is making sure to get his work in meetings and walk-throughs. "I've got a lot of help," Mathews said, "Jacob (Hester), Mike (Tolbert), Phil (Rivers), they're helping me as much as they can." Mathews remaining up to speed is significant. Yes, he is running lower, harder and faster this season. Moreover, though, what's been happening is that he's running on confidence, fueled by practice. "Practice hard, play hard," Mathews said. "I've been getting a lot of compliments from the"
NOTEBOOK: Mathews' TD run helps run game look good
August 22
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"A 15-yard touchdown run will help a rushing average and make a stat sheet look good. The Chargers on Sunday night were headed into the valley of continued concern over their running game. But on this night, with time to get in the rhythm they covet, the Chargers' first-team offense left the field at the end of the second half having averaged almost four yards a carry. "It's just grinding," Ryan Mathews said. "You keep going and going, and eventually you pop one." To the point where Mathews galloped for about as good a scoring run as there could be, the Chargers had rushed 11 times for 32 yards. The performance hadn't been horrible and, in fact, featured a few exceptional mid-range gains."
Mathews, Tolbert are 1, 1a for Chargers
August 16
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"There is not a question. Ryan Mathews is the Chargers' featured tailback. He will be "on the field a lot," according to head coach Norv Turner. Do not let what happened last season or last month or last week confuse the reality. After being drafted 12th overall in 2010, Mathews stumbled and was stripped. Mike Tolbert stepped in and stepped up. Mathews wasn't in tip-top shape at the start of camp. Tolbert hit the practice field running. Mathews missed almost half of the first two weeks of practice. Tolbert never stopped running. In the Chargers' preseason opener on Thursday, Tolbert got the start. It was painted as more a reward for Tolbert than a punishment to Mathews. "He's been at every"
Mathews practices, looks ready to go
August 10
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Hampered by a slightly strained muscle in his upper leg, it appeared that Ryan Mathews' exhibition season would start late, continuing a training camp that has sputtered at the start for the Chargers' primary running back. Now, maybe he will get some limited work in Thursday's preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks. "He looked pretty good today," head coach Norv Turner said after Mathews returned from a two-day absence to practice on Tuesday. Turner had said Monday he was inclined to "err on the side of caution" and indicated Mathews likely would not play Thursday due to soreness in his upper leg."
Mathews unlikely to play Thursday
August 9
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"There are plenty of new players and a few new coaches and some things to look for in the Chargers' preseason opener on Thursday. But don't look for running back Ryan Mathews. Hampered by a slightly strained muscle in his upper leg, it appears that Mathews' exhibition season will start late."
Mathews struggles in conditioningf
July 31
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"When he'd finished running on the field, a good 15 minutes after his teammates had come in from practice, Ryan Mathews entered the locker room on Friday evening. A few steps inside, a veteran teammate asked Mathews a casual yet loaded question, accompanied by a smile that was more of a smirk. "You all right?" Mathews, still breathing heavily, quickly replied that he was. It's been a rough couple days for Mathews, who was unable to finish Wednesday's conditioning test, prompting incessant teasing (and some incredulity) from teammates. Mathews, as he did the challenges that pockmarked his rookie season, has faced this latest struggle straight on, without excuse. "My cardio is real good; I"
Chargers Mathews opens Door of Hope
March 15
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"A van was loaded. Hugs and thanks and tears were shared. And then Helen Bailey was off with her daughter to unpack a new life, slightly more comfortable thanks to a woman and her son who shared a similar past. The four of them spent more than two hours together Monday morning traversing the Mission Valley Target store, shopping for items for Bailey's new apartment (along with some little extras for Bailey's daughter, Tyler). Trish Mathews is a serious shopper. She and Bailey moved meticulously up one aisle and down another. Trish never slowed down. Helen never stopped smiling. Trish had advice about microwaves and bath mats, cutlery and blenders. Helen thanked Trish so often that Trish"
Mathews to start '11 early
December 30
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Sunday won't be meaningless for Ryan Mathews. As a stunted rookie season comes to a close, Mathews is excited about getting a jump-start on 2011 with what will likely be the most involvement he's had in a game thus far. Whatever has or hasn't happened this season, it's time to move on. This is the next game of the rest of his career. "It sucks we're not going to be in the postseason," Mathews said. "But you can't look at the glass half-empty. Now I get more time to work out and prepare my body for the upcoming season. I know what to expect now. I've been through a season. … I think I can really come back next year and know the offense and be more prepared." Sunday will be the next step"
Mathews returns, learns
December 13
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Ryan Mathews walked from Qualcomm Stadium smiling. For the first time in more than a month, he will wake up Monday feeling at least a little pain. And that will make him smile again. "There are plays you can build upon," Mathews said after running 16 times for 65 yards and a touchdown. "There were plays where I missed some holes by prejudging where I wanted to go … I left some yardage out there. "The main thing going out there was to learn as much as I can. I've been out for five or so weeks. My main thing is to learn. I think I learned a lot." The Chargers' first-round draft pick did not play the first two weeks after the Chargers' bye, his high ankle sprain having been aggravated Nov. 7"
Mathews watches again
December 6
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Ryan Mathews was the first Chargers player off the field, his uniform spotless. He was one of the first to leave the locker room, as there was no need for a shower. The Chargers' first-round draft pick did not play a single snap in Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Raiders, once again a victim of the scoreboard and his own inexperience. The Chargers were down 14-0 after the first quarter and ran just five times after that. "It's disappointing," Norv Turner said. "I would like Ryan to play. We were throwing the ball. The hardest part is the (pass) protection when you're in the nickel situation. Obviously, (Mike) Tolbert knows the protections … We don't want to play a game this way. We dug"
Bolts' Tolbert and Mathews look to play Sunday
December 2
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Ryan Mathews appears to be on the verge of returning, and Mike Tolbert isn't going anywhere. "If Tolbert is healthy and going, he's going to get the ball," head coach Norv Turner said. "But Ryan has got to be able to go in too." Tolbert missed practice yesterday in what he called a "precautionary" move due to the right hand he bruised Sunday at Indianapolis. Despite the hand being wrapped, Tolbert said he was "feeling good" and added, "I'm going to play." As the Chargers enter what appears to be a crucial stretch of games, it appears the plan will be for Tolbert and Mathews to split time in some fashion. Mathews, who had not practiced since prior to the Chargers' Nov. 8 game at Houston,"
Chargers' Floyd, Siler return to practice; Mathews, Gates and Naanee still sidelined
November 16
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The trickle of players back onto the practice field continued Monday. While some notable offensive players remained sidelined, there is hope everyone will be ready to play in the Chargers' next game, still six days away. Wide receiver Malcom Floyd returned, as did linebacker Brandon Siler. While both were limited in Monday's practice, they reported feeling good after their first time on the field in weeks. Floyd has not played since straining his hamstring Oct. 17 at St. Louis. Siler has been active just once in the past five games due to a foot injury. "We are making progress," head coach Norv Turner said. "I'd expect a number of the guys who weren't able to go today to practice on"
Titans get the runaround from Chargers backs
November 1
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Ryan Mathews was battered and bruised and, yes, bloodied. He was slightly and temporarily dazed, yes, but also dazzled. Chris Johnson has that effect on people. Maybe even more so on the people who do what he does as best they can. Short of being adorned with a Super Bowl ring, Johnson is everything than any young running back would aspire to be, and he showed why on one spectacular touchdown carry of 29 yards that actually seemed twice that long with all the twists and turns that the Tennessee Titans superstar used to elude all 11 Chargers in desperate pursuit of him. Even with a 2,000-yard season directly behind him, Johnson's not completely defined by statistics or scores, and seeing"
Mathews hopes practice makes better
October 30
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"It was a play designed to go inside, and Ryan Mathews mistakenly followed his blocker to the outside on a run that went nowhere. Three snaps later, same play, same defensive front, Mathews saw the hole and broke inside for what would have been a decent gain. It happened in practice this week, but for the Chargers that was the most exciting thing. "What's hurt him is he hasn't had a lot of reps," running backs coach Ollie Wilson said. "This is the first week he's had the whole week. Even (Thursday), we saw better than we saw on Wednesday.""
Mathews works a Wednesday
October 28
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Tailback Ryan Mathews practiced for the first time in three Wednesdays, which is the beginning of the NFL work week. "It's a lot better," Mathews said of the ankle he sprained on Sept. 19. "I feel like I'm almost healthy again." With a full week of practice, the Chargers hope Mathews can see more and soak in more and, thus, play more (and better) on Sunday."
Sore ankle keeps Mathews from being lead tailback
October 14
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The Chargers want Ryan Mathews to be their lead tailback, getting the bulk of the carries and building on the promise he has shown in limited touches. But the same issue that has impeded the first-round draft pick thus far lingers. Mathews sat out Monday's practice with soreness in the ankle he sprained in the season's second game. While Mathews said the pain is no worse than it was the previous week, Norv Turner has stated he would like Mathews to experience a full week of practice before giving him the bulk of the carries. "I'm good," Mathews said. "It's just sore." Mathews reaggravated the ankle injury last week and was limited in Friday's practice before the Oakland game. But he looked"
Teammates already high on Mathews
October 10
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Ryan Mathews has been slowed by injury and giving up the football, throttled back by his coach in the most recent game and perhaps going forward. But he has already earned the respect of his teammates. It's for what he's done in practice and in the locker room and meeting rooms at Chargers Park as well as for the fact he's flashed brilliance when playing in games. It was evidenced by guard Kris Dielman being the first player to the end zone to congratulate Mathews after the rookie's maiden leap into the end zone this past Sunday. It was evidenced by Antonio Gates going over to Mathews after the score and telling him to keep the ball. It was evidenced by Philip Rivers stopping Mathews to"
Mathews eased in as Tolbert takes over
October 4
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Ryan Mathews was the mop-up man and then smiled about it. It's not what everyone else expected. It's not what he expected. But he knows better now. "It's realizing I'm not going to come in and rush for 3,000 yards and six touchdowns a game," Mathews said. "The reality is everyone is a pro. I'm not in college anymore. They're really coming. It's going to take a few games and some play to really get locked in and learn. Everything is kind of new. I just realized it, and I'm going with it." He said this after a day in which he scored his first NFL touchdown but didn't start. The Chargers' first-round draft pick had 55 yards on nine carries, just more than half as many carries and half as"
Mathews to sit out Sunday in Seattle
September 24
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Ryan Mathews' optimism and desire won't be enough get him on the field Sunday. The rookie tailback, who suffered a high ankle sprain against Jacksonville this past Sunday, missed Thursday's practice and is almost certain to be inactive against the Seattle Seahawks. "Getting better," said Mathews, who was walking without apparent hindrance but wearing a protective boot later. "It's sore." Mathews ran on a treadmill Thursday and still held out hope, but indications are that Mike Tolbert, who replaced Mathews against the Jaguars and ran 16 times for 82 yards and two touchdowns, will start in Mathews' place. Mathews, who has 101 yards on 24 carries, worked hard in college to overcome an"
Bolts Ryan Mathews optimistic he'll play Sunday, despite high ankle sprain
September 23
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Ryan Mathews remained optimistic he will play Sunday at Seattle despite a high ankle sprain, and he seemed in a good place regardless. "They're going to go on how I feel," Mathews said. "I feel good … I don't think it was that bad. They're going to take precautionary measures to make sure my career isn't going to be upset over an ankle … Something that could be a week, if I don't treat it right could be six weeks." The rookie tailback was tackled and had his ankle rolled in the first quarter of last Sunday's game against Jacksonville. He did not return to the game. While he has played well -- 24 carries for 101 yards and three catches for 31 yards in two games – Mathews has also lost two"
Mathews expected to go vs. Seattle
September 21
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Tests on Ryan Mathews' right ankle were negative and indications are that the rookie running back will play Sunday at Seattle. Mathews wore a protective boot and was said to be "sore" a day after leaving the game in the first quarter. Mathews had five carries for 26 yards and two receptions for 29 yards before leaving. Said head coach Norv Turner: "He was off to a great start … of what was going to be a very big day." Kept on the sideline much of the fourth quarter in the season opener due to a decline in play after his second-quarter fumble, Mathews fumbled again Sunday and then got hurt. Through two games, when playing and not fumbling, Mathews has been highly effective. He has 24"
Bolts' Mathews knows he must do better
September 15
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Ryan Mathews showed Monday night that he is capable of excellence and also that his potential is a work in progress. After gaining 75 yards on 19 carries, no one was more aware of his shortcomings or willing to acknowledge them than Mathews. "To be an elite player you have to do everything perfect," the rookie running back said early Tuesday morning in Kansas City. Through red-rimmed, tear-brimmed eyes, Mathews stared straight ahead, likely seeing in his mind's eye the yards he left on the field, the blocks he could have followed and the fumble he could have prevented. The rookie was sitting down in front of his locker, but he was thoroughly stand-up after his NFL debut. "It wasn't the"
Mathews learned, but also taught a lesson
August 29
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Here's the thing about education. It can go both ways. The student becomes the teacher. For obvious reasons, the focus with each Chargers preseason game has been on the progress made by Ryan Mathews, the rookie who was drafted so high to restore the running game in San Diego. On perhaps the most striking of many big plays in the Chargers' exhibition loss to the New Orleans Saints on Friday night, however, Mathews was the one dispensing the lesson. Strongside linebacker Scott Shanle is beginning his ninth season in the National Football League, but clearly, he was wholly unprepared for the burst that Mathews put on him on a third-and-one play that Shanle rightfully might've thought he'd"
Ryan Mathews has procedure on nose
August 25
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Ryan Mathews underwent a procedure to cauterize his nose on Tuesday that the Chargers believe will stop the recurring nose bleeds he has experienced for years. The procedure comes after a short run near the goal line Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys in which Mathews was hit and had his helmet rise up and hit his nose. His nose began bleeding, and he left the game for that series and was out most of the next. "I have always had a little problem with nose bleeds," Mathew said after missing Tuesday's practice. "(The procedure was) just to get rid of it, so it wouldn't happen in a game, so I wouldn't have to be taken out." Mathews is expected back in practice Wednesday and to play Friday at"
Mathews gives compliments, candy
August 16
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Ryan Mathews showed up at Chargers Park between practices last Monday with jars of assorted candy for the big men who he knows will play a big role in his success. "That was great," Nick Hardwick said of the homemade sweets Mathews made with his mother. "That was really cool." News of that gesture wouldn't surprise Fresno State center Joe Bernardi, who along with the other Bulldogs linemen was the beneficiary of several meals on Mathews' dime the past couple years. According to Bernardi, Mathews loved to hang out with the big guys. And even after Mathews was gone, while at the NFL Combine in February, Bernardi got a text that read, "I'm here because of you." So it was little surprise that"
Mathews sharp in Chargers debut
August 15
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Philip Rivers (and everyone else) survived. Ryan Mathews and the defense thrived. If that wasn't all that mattered in the preseason opener, it was close. The Chargers trounced the Chicago Bears 25-10 Saturday night at Qualcomm Stadium, as first-round draft pick Ryan Mathews made an emphatic entrance. While a defensive line competition intensified and the secondary showed a new mettle, what was most important for a team that will struggle to do anything perceived as impactful until the calendar reads January was that the starting quarterback was upright, the starting running back was outstanding and the starting left tackle was stout. Brandyn Dombrowski held up for two series against Julius"
Bolts' Mathews tough enough to tough it out
August 12
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"However long the ledger of ailments and missed games reads in a college career that never featured a complete season, those who were there declare the end of Ryan Mathews' trouble with injuries to have come last Halloween. At the end of the third quarter, while speeding toward the end zone on what would be a 25-yard gain, Mathews was hit from the side by a Utah State defender at the 2-yard line and had to leave the game. While play continued, with his team trailing, Mathews sat on the bench feeling only the pain in his ribs, struggling to breathe. Fresno State running backs coach Joe Wade came down from the coaches' box before the Bulldogs' next series and told Mathews, "You need to carry"
Mathews catching up on pass-catching
August 4
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Philip Rivers asked someone this spring how many receptions Ryan Mathews had at Fresno State. Told the number was 19, Rivers was surprised. When he saw Mathews deftly handle most everything thrown his way in the offseason coaching sessions, Rivers wasn't concerned about his new tailback. "It wasn't because he couldn't do it," Rivers said of Mathews' meager receiving totals in college. "They just didn't throw it to him." While Mathews' ability to catch the ball was among the chief knocks on him coming out of Fresno State, where he had 268 career receiving yards, a strong spring showed the Chargers he was capable of being a threat catching out of the backfield. So it was a little surprising"
Mathews jumps aboard
August 2
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"On his second carry of his first training camp practice, Ryan Mathews stopped abruptly, jumped slightly and ran to his right, around the edge and then downfield with a glide and quickness that seemed to take many of the nearly 4,000 people watching back in time. "LT in his prime?" "LT who?" Whoa, now. Let's be careful making comparisons just yet to a four-time All Pro who has rushed for more yards than all but seven men ever have. But still, and perhaps more pertinent to the current goals of the Chargers and coming from a highly qualified source, there was also this assessment from Darren Sproles: "We're going to be better with Ryan carrying the ball." The Chargers moved up 16 spots in"
Chargers, Mathews down to details in contract haggling
August 1
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The Chargers are down to haggling over details with their first-round draft pick's agent, and Ryan Mathews could join the team for this afternoon's practice. Mathews is one of just six players taken in the top 20 who hasn't signed. But it's difficult to label him a holdout when the team did not initiate negotiations until the morning that training camp began. "Hopefully, we will see him soon," was all Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith would say when asked for an update. He can do itAntoine Cason is all about consistency and doing his part, something the Chargers are looking forward to after the sometimes spectacular, oft-out-of-place Antonio Cromartie. But don't tell Cason, whose 15"
All signs indicate Bolts' Mathews will sign
July 20
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"So Ryan Mathews, the Chargers' first-round draft pick, said he wants to sign and be in training camp on time. While there are reasons to believe that could be achieved, including the fact his agent and Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith are cut from the same old-school cloth, there really is nothing unusual about Mathews' stated intention. Mathews laughed Monday when it was pointed out to him that hardly any rookie ever indicated plans to be tardy in joining their new team. "What makes mine different, I think, is that I need to contribute this year," Mathews said. "Being in camp on time will help me do that." What is truly unusual is the fact that every one of the Chargers' other five"
Mathews unplugged: New Bolt revealed
May 3
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"At various points on the figurative and literal road between Bakersfield and Fresno and on to San Diego, Ryan Mathews could have veered into the ditch where potential withers up and dies, its promise mourned for a time but then forgotten. It seems so unfathomable now that his talent might have never been YouTubed or stolen the breath of so many, that A.J. Smith would not have been another in a long line of those who have fallen in love with him. But consider that for various reasons, not the least of which being the wholly teenager ability to blend rebellion and apathy, there was a period when Mathews wasn't enjoying football and wanted to quit. He was 18 years old and essentially on his"