San Diego Chargers coach says Ryan Mathew’s preseason is “what we’re looking for”
By Mike Dyce
San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews had a solid game in last night’s preseason match up. He carried the ball 9 times for 45 yards, of 5 yards a carry. That is momentum building behind last week’s 3 carry, 19 yard and over 6 yards per carry average.
Mike McCoy said “the future is now” for Mathews.
“The way that (he) ran the ball was outstanding,” McCoy said, via U-T San Diego. “We ran the ball efficiently tonight. I think the way he’s running the football (is) what we’re looking for in our back.”
Mathews is matching his play on the field with the right words off of it as well, praising his offensive line.
“You get used to game situations, how your linemen block and how they handle certain situations,” Mathews said. “They’re doing a great job, and I’ve just got to do the easy part: pick a hole and run through it. That’s what I’m doing.”
That is the back that they’ve been looking for since LaDainian Tomlinson left.
“I just think I put too much pressure on myself where I came in and tried to be what I wasn’t,” he said, via CBS Sports. “There was a great guy who led the way for me, LaDainian Tomlinson, and I thought I had to be him and do what he was doing.
“Instead, I got away from who I am. I got away from having fun and put too much pressure on myself. So now I just want to go back to the basics, run the ball and have fun. ”