Chargers trade up, select RB Ryan Mathews
by Wonko on Apr 22, 2010 6:05 PM PDT
in NFL Draft
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It was a poorly kept secret, especially for A.J. Smith, that the Chargers liked the Fresno State RB. The Chargers give up their 1st round (28 overall), 2nd round and 4th round picks as well as ILB Tim Dobbins for the #12 overall pick to select Mathews and pick up the Dolphins 4th round pick and 6th round picks.
On the trade value chart the 12th overall pick is worth about 1600 points, the Dolphins 4th round pick, #110 overall, is worth about 206 points and the 6th round pick, #173 overall, 51 points. The Chargers gave up 875 points with their 28th overall pick, 680 with the 40th overall pick and 142 with the 126th overall pick. That's 1857 gained by the Chargers and 1697 given up plus a backup Tim Dobbins who basically becomes worth 160 points in this trade (equivalent to a late 4th rounder).
Mathews left after his Junior year and was a big time producer all three years for the Bull Dogs. His Junior year was his best when he ran for 1808 yards on 276 carries and scored 19 rushing touchdowns. He missed time with injuries each of his three seasons and his biggest knock is his rawness in the passing game. However, he's been regarded as the #2 RB prospect in this draft and can come in and start right away and become a feature back.
Make no mistake, this is a bold move by A.J. Smith and will be talked about for years. Unlike the last few bold draft moves that the Chargers GM has made, this player is expected to come in and produce right away. We should all be excited to see him suit up in the Blue and Gold.
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The more I think about it the more I like this.
We moved up in the 1st and 4th and got a 6th rounder in exchange for #40 and Dobbins.
Desperately searching for intelligent thought...failing...failing...
"But he caught 100 balls!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.
by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 22, 2010 6:20 PM PDT reply actions
How do we get back into the 2nd?
Packaging 3rd rounders from next year? Dealing Sproles or Merriman?
I think we overpaid here. I love Matthews, but giving up that pick in the 2nd………………..shocking! Where do we grab a NT? I think the only options are Tourelle Troupe in the 3rd……..Possibly Linval Joseph.
Or is the team switching to the 4-3?
Solid
I like how AJ sees we need a franchise back and goes and gets him! Would have been gone in the mid teens, I love the choice and I think we didn’t give up too much him
by NorthCountyBolt on Apr 22, 2010 6:31 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
dude
to me 10 players dat play dline is good enough.Chargers struggled wit da running game da most so yah.dats da best to go wit
Reppin SD (Z-G)
Im sayin
dat it doesnt make sense wen u have 10 Defensive Lineman and draft another D tackle. Does it to you?
Reppin SD (Z-G)
But didja hafta say it in da funny accent?
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Apr 22, 2010 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Dobbins was too much
Now there is a lack of depth at MLB. Besides, they moved up in the 2nd for Whitehurst, and just tossed it away. It was too much to pay. Yes the running game was weak last year and they need a guy who can make an impact NOW, but geez thats is a lot to trade away.
There is no lack of depth at ILB.
In fact we have a bunch.
Desperately searching for intelligent thought...failing...failing...
"But he caught 100 balls!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.
by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 22, 2010 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions
now there is only 4 ILB's on the roster
with Beckwith not even being active last year. Dobbins was solid in goal line, short yardage, and special teams. Big loss there.
I just don't see it.
With Cooper, Siler, Burnett, Beckwith, plus any others we pick up we’ll be fine.
Desperately searching for intelligent thought...failing...failing...
"But he caught 100 balls!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.
by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 22, 2010 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions
who cares about ILB
Where does the NT come from?
Later rounds.
The current roster.
Desperately searching for intelligent thought...failing...failing...
"But he caught 100 balls!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.
by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 22, 2010 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Theres not a legit NT on the roster
They will all be gone by 91 in the 3rd
They're much more of a hybrid now than straight 3-4.
They liked the mix of guys they had last year. Plus more trades are still possible.
Desperately searching for intelligent thought...failing...failing...
"But he caught 100 balls!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.
by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 22, 2010 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions
who do you see getting dealt?
Sproles? Merriman? They were a hybrid due to the loss of J. Will……………………possible swith to a 4 – 3 ?
I don't think they will go straight 4-3.
Even with Jamal getting hurt, they still wanted to go more hybrid.
And either Sproles, Merriman, or more picks could get traded.
Desperately searching for intelligent thought...failing...failing...
"But he caught 100 balls!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.
by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 22, 2010 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions
I hear you............
I just thought they moved up to get Dan Williams for sure and I thought there was a ton of depth at RB. I didn’t think we needed to deal that 40 pick. I think we could have gotten impact players at NT and RB at 28 and 40. We’ll see how it shakes out. I think we got the best all around back, but at a steep price.
Dan Williams didn't go until #26.
Terrence Cody, Cam Thomas, Linval Joseph… one of those guys could easily fall into SD’s range.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Apr 22, 2010 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Norv says AJ has a plan for our defense
that will unfold over the following days
ooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo…
we're switching to the 4-3, a D in which our DC excels at?
The peanut gallery has spoken!!!
Hybrid, not straight.
Desperately searching for intelligent thought...failing...failing...
"But he caught 100 balls!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.
by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 22, 2010 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions
c'mon son it's 3-4 or 4-3. in or out.
The peanut gallery has spoken!!!
No, it's not.
Desperately searching for intelligent thought...failing...failing...
"But he caught 100 balls!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.
by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 22, 2010 7:21 PM PDT up reply actions
yes it is. two different defenses.
The peanut gallery has spoken!!!
good pick
good play design, good run blocking and a good RB. we’re back to being 1 for 3.
The peanut gallery has spoken!!!
screw the picks
NOT DOBBINS! I really liked him. Damn man.
"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken"- Colonel Sanders
by traceSD on Apr 22, 2010 6:56 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
very dissappointing
I just thought they moved up to get Dan Williams for sure and I thought there was a ton of depth at RB. I didn’t think we needed to deal that 40 pick. I think we could have gotten impact players at NT and RB at 28 and 40. We’ll see how it shakes out. I think we got the best all around back, but at a steep price.
Odd reaction. Dobbins is an afterthought in this trade.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Apr 22, 2010 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions
a possible franchise back that will immediately make an impact or....
a solid ST’s player and once in a while LB corp contributer…I’d take the former.
agree.........hands down best back
But a tragic loss of picks losing that #40 in the 2nd round and the 4th rounder
We actually moved up in the 4th.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Apr 22, 2010 7:10 PM PDT up reply actions
And roger that
Fingers crossed we can get back into the 2nd or first half of the 3rd
Siler.......
Burnett, Beckwith, Holt are solid at ILB. I’d like to see us draft Micah Johnson later on. Just a loss of too many picks. Don’t see where we get a legit NT at 91 in the 3rd
I don’t think we are going to see the Chargers draft a NT.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Apr 22, 2010 7:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Siler and Burnett may be solid
but Beckwith and Holt have not even proven that they are NFL players.
i was, considering we got 4 guys to replace 1 NT last year.
The peanut gallery has spoken!!!
yeah............very few NT's out there
Not sure how we get back into the 2nd to get one
We need to trade picks
maybe the conditional 3/2 for Cromartie, and the 3 this year for a 2 now to get a NT like Cody or Price.
Price is a DE.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Apr 22, 2010 7:11 PM PDT up reply actions
I still think...
AJ has got some 2nd round surprises up his sleeve…I think he feels an urgency to add some serious talent to the roster to get us over the hump.
I'm cool with the 3rd next year and the 5th
I don’t think anyone wants Coop. He’s 31 and we may actually have dudes on the roster who are better………………….I think Siler is a better ILB
NO, actually he is listed as a DT
by Yahoo and UCLA.
A DT in a 4-3.
In our defense he would be a DE.
Desperately searching for intelligent thought...failing...failing...
"But he caught 100 balls!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.
by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 22, 2010 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions
He's a DT in a 4-3
a DE in the Chargers 3-4 for sure. Although if we’re going hybrid he plays inside with 4 linemen and outside with 3. He will be long gone before we pick again though.
He's neither
In your standard 3-4 he has the height of an NT and the weight of a DE and the skills of neither.
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
I like Mathews
but if they were going to move up that far I think there were a couple better choices.
Earl Thomas, and even though I may be mocked I would have taken Gresham ahead of Mathews.
In the end, I think the Chargers filled a need and it will be exciting to see how he does.
dan is gone
The peanut gallery has spoken!!!
It's just a shame that Buffallo screwed everyone up by taking Spiller so high.
The Chargers were going to try and get Matthews, the Buffalo pick unfortunately had them moving up earlier than expected.
Regardless, the trade seems sound and the picks/players are pretty equivalent, though I’m sure everyone will be somewhat in shock for a short while that they lost the 2nd that they fought for.
I love my team of historically talented underachievers.
He was the right back............
Where’s the NT come from now?
I think you'll probably have to let go of the NT.
Unless someone slides way down or there’s another trade, it’s not happening and they’re going to stick with the mix of guys they have.
Desperately searching for intelligent thought...failing...failing...
"But he caught 100 balls!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.
by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 22, 2010 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions
True
If we hadn’t moved all the way up to 12, Seattle probably would have grabbed him at 14
Dammit Buddy!
How’s that for giving the finger to your old employer?
Yup, I'm the nut who believes Mark Loretta is a possible future Hall of Famer.
by StrangeBroP25 on Apr 23, 2010 6:47 AM PDT up reply actions
You're probably right
I just thought we were a workhorse RB and a legit NT away from being dominant like 2006
Don't give up hope.
It’s quite possible that they’ll turn up with a good NT prospect in the 3rd or 4th. Dan Williams fell to #26, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a top-5 NT fell to us.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Apr 22, 2010 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions
who do you think might be there?
I thought Tourelle Troupe out of Central Florida mighty be there. Maybe Linval Joseph………although he seems like more of a 5 technique/ 3-4 DE
I'm kind of hoping for Joseph.
They may well trade up if they like him or Thomas.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Apr 22, 2010 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Very glad to have Mathews
I’m just going to assume Seattle was waiting to take him, and the move was necessary.
by Lenny Suckerpunch on Apr 22, 2010 7:48 PM PDT reply actions
What's the word
about Matthews’s ability to pass-block, and ball-security skills?
Desperately searching for intelligent thought...failing...failing...
"But he caught 100 balls!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.
by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 22, 2010 8:13 PM PDT reply actions
On pass blocking:
He has room to improve as a blocker (particularly technique and awareness) and he certainly needs more reps as a receiver. However, he shows the potential to develop into a difference maker in both areas. He is big and strong enough to hold up at the point of attack in pass pro.
553 touches with zero fumbles.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Apr 22, 2010 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions
He fumbled in his last game
The bowl game. Maybe 0 lost fumbles. I don’t know, but I definitely saw him put the ball on the ground.
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
Maybe the stats didn’t include the bowl game.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Apr 22, 2010 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Excellent.
And ~570 touches with one fumble is fine. The more I learn about him, the more I like him.
Desperately searching for intelligent thought...failing...failing...
"But he caught 100 balls!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.
by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 22, 2010 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Cool
You’re catching up ;)
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
I'm really psyched.
I think Matthews is going to be great with us. And I’m really excited for what it will mean when teams have to respect the run against us.
Desperately searching for intelligent thought...failing...failing...
"But he caught 100 balls!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.
by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 22, 2010 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions
The durability thing is still worrisome
I’m thinking we still need to find another RB in this draft. We have 6 picks left right? We can spare one of those on a RB can’t we?
If we go something like CB, S, DL, OL, WR with the other ones. That would mean we sacrifice drafting a QB, but that’s probably not a big deal. You get a UDFA and dump him next year if you find someone better. Although, it probably wouldn’t be a big deal if we don’t draft DL, OL or S either.
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
Agreed.
And isn’t durability a concern with most rookie running backs? The longer season can wear on them at first?
It’ll be good to have at least one other back besides Sproles that we can use to share the load and keep everyone fresh for the post-season.
Desperately searching for intelligent thought...failing...failing...
"But he caught 100 balls!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.
by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 22, 2010 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Do we still have any bodies that can play RB?
ESPN listed Brinkley on our depth chart, is he still around?
Yup, I'm the nut who believes Mark Loretta is a possible future Hall of Famer.
by StrangeBroP25 on Apr 23, 2010 6:48 AM PDT up reply actions
yup
Sproles, Brinkley, that dude we picked up off waivers from the Redskins, and now Mathews (plus Hester and Tolbert if you want to count FBs). Between the rest of this draft and the UDFAs, we’ll probably add a few more. Last year we had 4 going into camp (LT, Sproles, Bennet, Gartrell. Brinkley was on IR before camp)
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Apr 23, 2010 8:18 AM PDT up reply actions
He will be a good pass blocker.
He has the size and physicality to do so well.
Self-anointed President of the Kenjon Barner fan club.
Hey Wonko
Just wondering, which draft pick value chart do you use? The one I’m familiar with doesn’t seem to add up with the numbers you have in the post.
I’m wondering the same thing. The chart on ESPN.com has drastically different values.
#12 – 1200
#110 – 74
#173 – 23.2
#28 – 660
#40 – 500
#126 – 46
Difference of 91.2 suggests Dobbins being valued as equivalent to the 102nd pick or so.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Apr 22, 2010 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions
I used the one I had in my post on draft trades
From WalterFootball.com. The ESPN one has some inherent flaws.
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
The one at Walter looks just like the one I’m familiar with, and the values are the same as the ones in Richard Wade’s post.
Well the image in my post comes directly from WalterFootball
Complete with links to explanations why its preferable to the ESPN one.
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
LB Depth
It sucks to that Dobbins is gone, but isn’t Antwan Applewhite a linebacker too?
OH YEAH
I thought the deal was awesome until they mentioned Dobbins was part of the deal. BUT I FORGOT ABOUT APPLEWHITE! hes just as solid and has a future in the leauge. So Siler and Applewhite, I can deal with that.
"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken"- Colonel Sanders
FO seems to think AJS did the right thing.
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/varsity-numbers/2010/varsity-numbers-poe-and-draftability
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Apr 22, 2010 10:23 PM PDT reply actions
I saw that.
In the four years of data at hand, only three runners have managed a +3 score. There are two in just this class — Mathews and Best. Though we should be conservative in drawing conclusions with such a small sample size, the experiences of Chris Johnson, Jamaal Charles, and Jerious Norwood suggest these two backs are (injuries aside) as close to sure things as there are in the draft.
Desperately searching for intelligent thought...failing...failing...
"But he caught 100 balls!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.
by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 22, 2010 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions
It's definitely too small a sample size to draw any conclusion
But in the draft world when all you have to rely on our outsiders’ scouting reports and vague rumors and innuendo it’s nice to have some numbers on your side.
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
Interesting takes on Mathews
http://mrsportsblog.wordpress.com/2010/04/22/did-chargers-overpay-for-ryan-mathews/
http://www.kffl.com/fantasy-sports-blog/nfl-draft-ryan-mathews-san-diego-chargers/2010/04/22
http://neoonion.com/nfl-draft-2010-grades-first-round-results/53438.htm
http://splog.nationallampoon.com/articles/nfl-draft-running-diary-hour-2
You guys have just picked one of the best backs I've ever seen. He won't disappoint you. He's a great kid also.
I would compare him to Ronnie Brown. If he stays injury free. You will have a great replacement for LT.
Leader of The Draft Derrick Morgan Express Train.
Know your enemy, know youself, fight 100 battle without defeat. Sun Tzu
1. D. Morgan OLB/DE
2. T. Cody NT
3. R. Jones FS/SS
He's about 15 lbs lighter than Ronnie Brown
So he’s not quite the bruiser Brown was/is. He also is coming out of the NCAA as an experienced #1 back whereas Brown had to prove himself in that role once he got to the NFL.
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
The Comparison To Brown is Accurate
Here’s Why. Fresno State used 3 running backs. 2009 Ryan was the #1 weapon because our QB was Coburn. Last year we had Brandstater and he is currently playing for the Broncos. You guys have signed Tutu and I think you will be surprised how good of a WR he is. Ryan took direct snaps on occasion and yes he can throw the ball. He played QB/RB in HS. Brown does have 15 pounds on Mathews correct. They are both downhill runners and will dish out the pain between the tackles. Ryan did not play to many complete games in 2009 because he crushed teams in the first 2 1/2 quarters and was pulled. He would have had well over 2K yards rushing if he had stayed in the games. Their styles of play are very similar IMO.
by FinFanFromCA on Apr 25, 2010 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Does this quote suggest they are going to try to move Sproles to get into the 2nd round?
Comparing him to LT, Raye said: "I like the fact that he’s a three-down back. We feel he can handle the load. We feel we can put him on the field every down. He’s A-plus all across the board."
(it’s from today’s Canepa column)
Who heard the Matthews interview with Scott and BR this morning?
Kaplan made a crack about a picture of Matthews with his mother, he was trying to complement her saying she looks young and joked that she looks like she’s 35 and could be his sister. Matthews said that his mom had him when he was 16 (turns out she’s 38). It was a funny moment that turned into the reveal of a compelling backstory for this kid. His mother was homeless and abandoned by the father when he was 6 months, and then wound up eventually also adopting another boy later. When I got to work, Scott and BR were looking at trying to invterview the mother. I could not imagine dealing with a six month old by my self, let alone living out of a car at the same time – incredible story.
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