Ryan Mathews

[SDFan]

Matthews fumbled 5 times his first year and 5 times his second year - most of them early in the season and were game killers. Add to the fact that Bolts had serviceable vets like Tolbert (who also fumbled 5 times in 2010) and Sproles and you can see why he was benched/split playing time....and he was not benched immediately after the first couple fumbles like someone else suggested. He was given some time to get it going but he continued to fumble - any coach would have benched him after the repeated fumbles that cost the team. Add to that the 35 INT's/horrid play by rivers those two years and you can see why this team missed the playoffs.

my memory is not always perfect and I don't have time to go back and review all the game logs and recordings of games those seasons- but I don't recall any Mathews turnovers that cost us a single game? I do remember some in Red Zone and some that were drive and/or momentum killers- but GAME KILLERS? NOPE. I think it may be more a perception issue because of unreal expectations following LT and the fact Mathews had conditioning and injury problems that cost him games, which magnified every play he did get as pressure mounted for him to "get it" and perform up to his talents and draft position.

[Panama]

I think it may be more a perception issue because of unreal expectations following LT and the fact Mathews had conditioning and injury problems that cost him games, which magnified every play he did get as pressure mounted for him to "get it" and perform up to his talents and draft position.

This. Especially the highlighted bit.

[Formula 21]

All turnovers are game killers.

[SDFan]

All turnovers are game killers.

yeah, I forgot. Statistics prove NO team EVER came back and won a game after suffering a turnover...or 2....or 3...or even 4 :banghead:

[Formula 21]

Look at the win loss records. In general, the teams that win have a positive to ratio. The teams that lose have a negative to ratio. IMO, after the final score, turnovers are the most important stat.

[Panama]

Look at the win loss records. In general, the teams that win have a positive to ratio. The teams that lose have a negative to ratio. IMO, after the final score, turnovers are the most important stat.

Causality?

[SDFan]

Look at the win loss records. In general, the teams that win have a positive to ratio. The teams that lose have a negative to ratio. IMO, after the final score, turnovers are the most important stat.

can't disagree with that in General terms. However, there was a specific focus on Mathews in this thread with some elevating his fumbles to a level like they were critical to many Chargers losses. IMO, that is overstating the case and not a reason NOrv should have banished him to ride pine or the Dog House. We can clearly see the difference in this player based on 2 different approaches by his Head Coaches.

[OhioBolt]

can't disagree with that in General terms. However, there was a specific focus on Mathews in this thread with some elevating his fumbles to a level like they were critical to many Chargers losses. IMO, that is overstating the case and not a reason NOrv should have banished him to ride pine or the Dog House. We can clearly see the difference in this player based on 2 different approaches by his Head Coaches.

Good point if Matthews is the key to your running game you can't be all together NORVeous and put him in the dog house.

Jamal Charlse, and Adrain Peterson are fumblers but they are in the game, fumbles in critical situations can cause you the game, but having talent like that on the bench can keep you from being in the games. Matthews is not on the level as the above mention, and he isn't a scrub as some think. Matthews has the talent, and now he has a coach who is going to bring the best out of him by putting confidence in him.

[homeless simpson]

2010. he had 5 fumbles his rookie year, all in a span of 4 consecutive games (2 vs den, 1 each against Hou/Jac/KC). all in the 1st half (4 in the 2nd qrtr.) 4 total fumbles in wins, 1 in a loss.

2011. he had 5 fumbles. 2 vs Chi, 1 vs Balt, 1 each in consecutive weeks (KC/Mia). 2 fumbles in the 1st qrtr, 1 in the 2nd, 2 in the 3rd. i'll assume he's either benched in the 4th, or we're playing catchup for the lack of turnover stats in the 4th. 4 of the fumbles when we are either tied or trailing.

2012. only 2 fumbles both in the first half 2 separate games with the other team ahead.

[oneinchpunch]

Jason La Canfora:
So the Chargers let LT, Turner, Sproles and Tolbert all walk from the backfield and traded up to over-draft Mathews. Hmmm

[homeless simpson]

Jason La Canfora:
So the Chargers let LT, Turner, Sproles and Tolbert all walk from the backfield and traded up to over-draft Mathews. Hmmm

isn't Sproles the only one he listed that is still in the league?

(Mike Tolbert is still active in the same way McClain is still active)

[Boltx]

Tolbert...the one that got away!