Approval Rating: Ryan Mathews - 2012 Redux

by Wonko on Feb 17, 2012 9:00 AM PST in San Diego Chargers Approval Ratings

Running back Ryan Mathews #24 of the San Diego Chargers not really tucking that ball away. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The last time around, Ryan Mathews got a 70% approval rating. He was coming off of his first professional season that left us with only one stellar performance in a meaningless game to judge if he could live up to his potential as a 1st round draft pick. He had also left fans thinking about the 5 fumbles he had on the year including some big game changers. He even had two fumbles in his one breakout game. In addition, he missed part of training, missed multiple games due to injury and was left off the field on 3rd downs in favor of Darren Sproles' superior pass protection.

So, what has changed after seeing his 2011 season that might make more or less people of approve of Ryan Mathews, Chargers RB? A lot, actually. He stayed healthier, playing in 14 games and starting 13 as opposed to 12 games and 9 starts in 2010. He more than doubled his receptions and receiving yards from 2010 to 2011. He went from 678 yards on the ground to 1,091. He averaged more yards/carry, more yards/game, more yards/reception, set a new high for longest run and a new career high for longest reception. And, he got into the Pro Bowl, even if it was as a second alternate.

However, he did still fumble 5 times this season, although you can add the caveat that he touched the ball a lot more in 2011 than 2010. The team still preferred to take him out on 3rd downs to give Philip Rivers better pass protection, this time in favor of Mike Tolbert. That is somewhat worrying since it's entirely possible that Tolbert won't be back next season and either Mathews needs to get better in this area or the 3rd down passing game will suffer. He also still gets dinged up, although maybe the bright side is that he's getting better. It's still a worry though since he was seen as a little injury prone going back to his college days.

It's still a work-in-progress for this 2nd year back. But, it's obvious the trend is in the right direction. Especially if he can stay on the field and off the trainer's table.

Ryan Mathews

#24 / Running Back / San Diego Chargers

Height: 6-0

Weight: 218

Born: May 01, 1987

College: Fresno State

		Rushing						Receiving
	G	Rush	Yds	Y/G	Avg	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Y/G	Avg	Lng	TD
2011 - Ryan Mathews	14	222	1091	77.9	4.9	39	6	50	455	32.5	9.1	42	0

Poll

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ryan Mathews is handling his job as a Running Back for the San Diego Chargers?

Approve

742 votes

Disapprove

65 votes

807 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 18 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

This'll be Mathews' first full off season with the team.

Maybe that will make the difference in his pass protection.

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by Richard Wade on Feb 17, 2012 9:26 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

I think it will make a difference for all of the second year players

But I suspect it will help his pass protection. Just look at how he worked on his pass catching.

by Ferguson1015 on Feb 17, 2012 9:28 AM PST up reply actions

good point

his pass catching was fantastic, and as I recall, that was a point of concern with him coming out of fresno state.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Feb 17, 2012 10:04 AM PST up reply actions

I definitely approve

Also, I thought a couple of his fumbles were because he got injured on that particular play. Anyone remember/have clips of them to double check?

by Ferguson1015 on Feb 17, 2012 9:27 AM PST reply actions

Some fumbles are just great defensive plays. Like the Chicago one.

Caps lock is not cruise control for cool.

by ROFLCOPTER16 on Feb 17, 2012 1:58 PM PST up reply actions

Approve

He’s solid! His ball protection will improve with time.

by quan p on Feb 17, 2012 9:45 AM PST reply actions

watch out league

If he stays healthy this coming year there is no reason he cant put together 2000+ combined yards and 10+TDs

by Ryan Cohoon on Feb 17, 2012 10:16 AM PST reply actions

Approve. No question about it.

This kid’s good and hasn’t even scratched the surface of his potential.

by SoCalBoltFan on Feb 17, 2012 11:39 AM PST reply actions

5 fumbles is horrid

4.9 a carry is what I am talking about though. I think this next year might be his beast mode breakout season

Winning

by Foilhat on Feb 17, 2012 3:03 PM PST reply actions

Absolutely Approve!

Can’t wait to see what he can do with a full OCS behind him! I am sure he will get coached up heavely this offseason since he didn’t have one last year. I suspect the fumbleitis will get fixed and his 3rd down protection will greatly improve. But I am really interested to see if he takes his conditioning more serious than last year.

by Fouts of Rage! on Feb 17, 2012 3:22 PM PST reply actions

Don't forget that he came into camp terribly out of shape last year

and that really hurt his reps in camp. Then he hurt a hammie I think as soon as he was cleared to practice. That doesn’t excuse the fumbles later in the year, but it just means with a good off season and training camp he can and should improve a lot. It doesn’t say much for his maturity, but I think that could just be chalked up as a youngster mistake and not a lack of drive or effort.

by glamisdave on Feb 17, 2012 4:42 PM PST reply actions

He looked super yolked when he first came into camp

like he was hitting the weights hard in the offseason. I guess the coaching staff thought he gained a too much weight though.

by SoCalBoltFan on Feb 17, 2012 4:54 PM PST up reply actions

a bit too much weight

by SoCalBoltFan on Feb 17, 2012 4:57 PM PST up reply actions

Wasn't the word out of camp that he wasn't working out properly?

Too much anaerobic stuff and not enough stamina conditioning? I think that’s a mistake he only makes once.

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by StrangeBroP25 on Feb 18, 2012 9:27 AM PST up reply actions

RM24

Alot of haters and skeptics out there on RM24. He is there best pick in the for the Chargers since Eweddle. He has good speed, great hands, good betweenthe tackles, good in open space. This season fumbles will go down that along with injuries are his issues but his height and makes him a bigger target between the tackles so the ball is exposed more being that they can get under him and swype that ball. He just got to work on his fundamental game a lil bit.

BCoop

by Bleu on Feb 18, 2012 2:08 PM PST via Android app reply actions

given the amount of time us as Charger fans had a HOF'er at RB

I think we’re kinda spoiled and just expected RM24 to just seamlessly replace a legend without any setbacks. The reality of the thing is we won’t ever get the amount of production from Mathews that we did from LT. Whether it be to playing time,injury,or system I just don’t think Mathews will ever be a superstar.You could also argue that you can have an awesome passing offense along with an incredible running game without hampering either, ask Norv….he had aikman and Irving and his o line and emmitt smith…I think the Rams also had it with Warner and Faulk, so it can be done. I think that’s why I’m still a doubter when it comes to Mathews,is that he was a high draft pick but I have yet to see him be a superstar out there on the field…I mean we can’t play the broncos all season.

by Gorditoe1 on Feb 18, 2012 7:36 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions

I think Mathews could have a superstar season or two.

Not that he could ever be LT-like, but that he could approach LT’s yardage, beat his yardage per carry, and get vaguely LT-ish TDs (like 12-15 combined, not like 31) over a year or two. He won’t make us forget the best halfback in 30+ years, but he could easily have a nice 3-5-year run as a consensus 1st-round fantasy pick.

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by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Feb 19, 2012 9:48 AM PST up reply actions