Chiefs vs. Chargers: Norv Turner Expects Heavy Dose Of RB Ryan Mathews

by Joel Thorman on Sep 11, 2010 4:02 PM CDT in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season

Looks like the San Diego Chargers rookie and the one it seems everyone is crowning as the next rookie of the year, Ryan Mathews, will see a big role on Monday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Chargers head coach Norv Turner says he expects Mathews to get double-digit carries in each half. "I want him to have an impact on the game. He is going to get the ball."

That means the Chiefs run defense will be tested. Frankly, I think I'd rather see a heavy rushing attack from the Chargers than letting Philip Rivers go wild.

The Chiefs were 31st against the run last year and the only pieces changing on this front seven are Derrick Johnson and Jovan Belcher as starters, even though they did play last year.

This will be a huge test for the Chiefs. The Chargers have been touting Mathews for a while so it'll be interesting to see if their praise is legit.

This is an excellent test for the Chiefs who will be improved on defense this year if the preseason is any indication.

Tweet Comment 50 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Sign Jeff Gilooly for a league minumum contract.

Have him Nancy Kerrigan this Mathews kid. Take the 15 yard penalty and then deal with Phil.

by craig in calgary on Sep 11, 2010 4:08 PM CDT reply actions

fact: Mathews will not even be one of the top 3 or 4 running backs on the field for this game.

See: Jamaal Charles, Thomas Jones, Darren Sproles. Honorable mention: Dexter McCluster and Jackie Battle.

" It was great for me to get out of that city, because it was just a lot of jealousy, envy and hate that came with being a part of that city."
- LJ, after taking denial lessons from our current President

by chief Stevie_k on Sep 11, 2010 4:13 PM CDT reply actions

Let me be the first to identify a guy who obviously has never seen Mathews play.

His name is chief Stevie_k.

I would not trade Jamaal for him, but this kid is going to be really good. Watching him in the preseason, it is obvious to me that he has the “it” that every team looks for.

That is a really good list of RB’s though. And I do like ours better than San Diego’s when you sum them all up.

RUN DEXTER RUN!!!!
President - Team Colquitt Fan Club - est. July 29, 2010

by ARROWHEADSHANE on Sep 11, 2010 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions

tellya what ... if Mathews is that good, and then add Sproles too, and Rivers to Gates clicks ...

… it could be one long, long night for us out there

"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
Come back, Jason!
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!

by upamtn on Sep 11, 2010 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Once again....you have judged correctly.

“The other teams could give us trouble, if they win”. >Yogi Berra<

"Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something."
~ last words of Francisco ("Pancho") Villa ~

by TheK-man on Sep 11, 2010 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

He looks to be a complete back. Looks good on screens also. Seems to have some patience to wait for his blockers. That’s great for a rook to have at this stage. One thing that remains to be answered for me however, can someone comment on how good he is on blocking?

by rwalke10 on Sep 11, 2010 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Actually all reports out of San Diego state the exact opposite.

That he is not very good as a pass catcher that he hasn’t been patient and is running over his blockers in screen passes.

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Sep 11, 2010 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Interesting

Watched a little of their preseason, and funny as it is, just heard the commentators on the NFL channel say pretty much the same thing as I did. Personally I hope you’re right, but even Haley said he took notice when they moved up to get him.

by rwalke10 on Sep 11, 2010 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions

What I wrote partially came right out of Norv Turners mouth the other day when he was talking about Matthews not being a 3rd down back.

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Sep 11, 2010 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions

The Chargers didn't pay Sproles

7M to return kicks. The rookie has a bit to learn but he has all the tools to be a 3rd down back. The Chargers have the luxury of not having to rush him into the role. Despite being a great pass catcher, Sproles is an excellent blocker. He uses his low center of gravity and his strength to take people out.

by SDreal on Sep 12, 2010 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions

He still needs to work on his patience.

He’s run up on a few of his blockers. He’s a rookie. He’ll improve.

by SDreal on Sep 12, 2010 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Not to mention, he hasn't played one full season of football without a injury.

Berry is going to pimp slap his ass back to the sidelines.

Disclaimer: Comments above are not meant to be taken with a grain of salt.

by CPT.Caveman on Sep 11, 2010 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Let's hope Berry puts a bullseye on him and then nails it!

by rwalke10 on Sep 11, 2010 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions

That's incorrect

Mathews dropped a couple passes in his first few practices. It was probably just nerves, but he responded by catching 50 passes from the JUGS machine after each practice. The media made a big deal about it then and some of that has stuck despite catching everything in preseason games. He’s looked like a complete stud in the passing game. I doubt, at this stage, he’ll run any routes like LT or Sproles, but you should expect to see a few screens and flares to Mathews. And don’t forget to watch him finish those plays with some serious punishment to your DBs. The kid eats CBs for breakfast and he’s going to hurt some of them this year. If he stays healthy, the kid is the real deal. A monster. He’ll never be LT, but then again, who is? And the Chargers don’t need him to be either. They just need a physical presence and he’s definitely it. He’s more like Michael Turner with good hands and an attitude.

by SDreal on Sep 12, 2010 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions

I tell you what I have seen....

The NFL Stats for Thomas Jones, Jamaal Charles, Darren Sproles….

Notice Mathews isn’t in there.

Why?

He hasn’t done it IN THE NFL!

Once again, he won’t even be the top 3 or so running back on the field. Those guys have shown what they can do.

Until he proves it, I’m sticking by what I’ve said, because the guys above HAVE DID IT AT THE TOP LEVEL.

by chief Stevie_k on Sep 11, 2010 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions

At one time...

you could have said the same thing about Adrian Peterson. That’s ridiculous. There’s a reason why the kid was drafted at #12. You’ll find out soon enough on Monday night. We’ll see if you still have the same opinion.

by SDreal on Sep 12, 2010 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions

ryan leaf was drafted at #1.

was there a reason for that too? how about Russell?

he isn’t jack until he proves it. Just like every other player in the nfl.

bradford at 1, DHB, I could literally go on forever.

All I’m saying is he isn’t played one down in the NFL yet. And until he does, all he is is potential.

The guys above have did it in the NFL. Your draft position means jack. When did Jamaal Charles get drafted? exactly.

by chief Stevie_k on Sep 12, 2010 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Golic picked him for Rookie of the Year honors. We'll see how the kid does.

"Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something."
~ last words of Francisco ("Pancho") Villa ~

by TheK-man on Sep 11, 2010 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Matthews is the real deal

IMO. We’d better be ready for him.

by Detroit Buckets on Sep 11, 2010 4:15 PM CDT reply actions

Right you are.

Huge test for the D.

by Chiefs_40 on Sep 11, 2010 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree.

I think a lot of folks around these parts are underestimating him. I can definitely see him coming out and having a huge night and spoiling our fun.

Hopefully Coaches Haley and Crennel have taken him into account.

by bamachief5558 on Sep 11, 2010 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

I’m a homer but I’m not stupid, This kid is a beast. And he’s a bruiser too. His body is made for 30 touches a game. Athletic enough to catch out of backfield too. Let’s hope his weakness is pass protection and Rivers get’s hit fumbles and/or he throws an int as he hurries to get rid of ball. McCluster is similar to Sproles(speedy). Th Jones is similar to Mathews (big and strong). Jamaal is the extra piece. I’m not worried about the running games as I am about qb play and wr drops/catches/yac.

Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan

by Mr J on Sep 11, 2010 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

The thing that worries me the most if they get the running game going.

Then we all know they’ll work in the play action pass. I think that could be our weakness early in the season with Berry. But if he’s the next “great one” then he’ll learn fast. But there will be growing pains its just inevitable.

"Without me, it's just aweso".- comment made by Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry.

by chiefs_fan05 on Sep 11, 2010 4:25 PM CDT reply actions

I have him on my fantasy team.

I hope he scores five, one yard touchdowns! (of course I hope Charles scores 12) lol

RUN DEXTER RUN!!!!
President - Team Colquitt Fan Club - est. July 29, 2010

by ARROWHEADSHANE on Sep 11, 2010 4:27 PM CDT reply actions

Oh, and give Dex 3 or 4 too.

RUN DEXTER RUN!!!!
President - Team Colquitt Fan Club - est. July 29, 2010

by ARROWHEADSHANE on Sep 11, 2010 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

I just want to see competitive football

Too many bad memories last yr of dropped passes, 2.7 yard runs, and giving up 4rd and longs on a consistent basis. But I believe many of those players are off the roster: Wade, LJ, and Mike Brown. This makes me happy.

Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan

by Mr J on Sep 11, 2010 4:31 PM CDT reply actions

Anybody else hear Dex list as doubtful?

by Chiefs_40 on Sep 11, 2010 4:32 PM CDT reply actions

that would suck!

at least he has an extra day to get well…

Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan

by Mr J on Sep 11, 2010 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions

I just got a text from 610 and that's what they said.

by Chiefs_40 on Sep 11, 2010 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions

is there a bug going around in KC?

flu? Wouldnt know as i live in vegas.

Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan

by Mr J on Sep 11, 2010 4:37 PM CDT reply actions

Not to my knowledge.

Could be anything. I am now officially in a bad mood.

by Chiefs_40 on Sep 11, 2010 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Let them run it all they want....

“We’re going to try to emphasize not letting them run the ball on us,” said Crennel, the head coach at Cleveland from 2005-08. “And if we can stop the run, that will help the passing game as well.”

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Sep 11, 2010 4:44 PM CDT reply actions

I believe Cleveland sucked 2005-08

Got any Crennel quotes as a def coordinator for Patriots?

Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan

by Mr J on Sep 11, 2010 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions

This is a quote from Friday.

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Sep 11, 2010 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Sweet! Where did you find that at?

by rwalke10 on Sep 11, 2010 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Gosh I wish Haley would take the same stance towards Charles

as Norv here has taken towards his young running back. I’m not a Jones hater; he’s obviously a good back. But I am a Charles lover and really want to see him get touches in the “double digits” each half. He is exciting and I just think gives us the best chance of winning.

Hm…I think I’ve developed a man crush on Jamaal.

by kcwolff on Sep 11, 2010 5:09 PM CDT reply actions

Completely Agree

Same goes with Detroit and their talk about getting Javhid Best the touches he needs and allowing him to be the playmaker that he is.

by Detroit Buckets on Sep 11, 2010 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions

even i..

Have a man crush on Charles, but in the big scheme of things imo i think having Jones pound it out and wear the defense makes good strategy. When the defense tires then put our man Charles in to add that zip and burn em. Again just mo. I would suspect that is what we will see a lot of this year unless top and being behind. What i call a deep 1/2 punch. Imagine a tired d and facing Charles..gotta love it. I know i do! Go chiefs!!!!

by SinyGuy on Sep 11, 2010 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions