San Diego Chargers coach Mike McCoy backs Ryan Mathews
By Phil Watson
San Diego Chargers coach Mike McCoy said he has complete confidence in running back Ryan Mathews, even after a fumble near the goal line in San Diego’s preseason opener Thursday.
"“No, he’s our bell cow,” McCoy told the San Diego Union-Tribune of Mathews. “I’m giving it to him again on the goal line. He’s jumped over the top a number of times and scored his entire career here. The safety put his head on the ball and the ball came out, so that’s all part of the game.”"
McCoy didn’t fault the ball carrier; rather he said it was the offense’s execution that was faulty.
"“We can’t let it happen. It’s a critical error on our part in the red area. It should be a walk-in touchdown in my opinion and we didn’t execute it right overall as an entire offense. It’s a good play on the defense. Give them credit where credit is deserved.”"
The fumble occurred on San Diego’s opening series, when the Chargers had driven the ball down to the Dallas 1 in 10 plays covering 82 yards, with a razor-sharp Philip Rivers going 4-for-4 for 61 yards.
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Mathews attempted to dive into the end zone but the ball popped loose when linebacker Justin Durant met Mathews at the top of the pile and hit the ball with his helmet.
Terrence Mitchell recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback.
Mathews only played that first series, finishing with 18 yards on five carries.
The fifth-year back out of Fresno State had a breakout year in 2013, rushing for a career-high 1,255 yards while playing all 16 games for the first time in his career. He scored six touchdowns and also had 26 receptions for 189 yards and a score.
In 311 offensive touches, he fumbled only twice after gaining a reputation as a fumbler in his first two seasons in the NFL. He coughed the ball up 10 times in 452 touches in his first two years, but has just four in 534 touches the last two seasons.
Mathews was a Pro Bowler in 2011 after rushing for 1,091 yards in 14 games.