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Originally posted by TTK
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Way to go, Ryan!
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/jan/03/bolts-block-busters-chargers-ryan-mathews-nfl
Mathews thanks offensive line with Gucci
Chargers RB credits linemen for his breakout season
To learn about Ryan Mathews, first know Willie Smith.
The veteran tackle signed with the Chargers in November — too late to have a locker next to other offensive linemen. He’s played one game for San Diego, six snaps last month during a blowout win.
Smith has hardly blocked for Mathews. He barely knows him.
One morning last week, he came to work and found a box on his locker-room chair.
“I was shocked,” Smith said.
Mathews had six 100-yard games in 2013, most among NFL running backs. After each, without exemption, he repeatedly gave credit to his O-line. It wasn’t lip service. There is a genuine bond between Mathews and his blockers, one that carries into Sunday’s playoff game versus the Bengals.
Mathews set a career high in rushing yards this season, finishing with 1,255.
As a token of appreciation, he bought each of his offensive linemen — even newcomer Smith — a Gucci watch.
“I was like, ‘What the heck? Gucci? On my seat? At my locker? Wow,’ ” Smith said. “That was my response. I did not expect to get anything. … I didn’t know who it was from until I asked everybody, and they said it was Ryan.”
Smith found Mathews and thanked him, telling him he didn’t have to give him anything but how he appreciated that he did.
Other linemen, like center Nick Hardwick, sought out and hugged Mathews just the same.
“He’s awesome,” Hardwick said. “That is who he is. It’s not him being humble just to be humble. He truly is that. He’ll grab you and say, ‘Let’s get this done. Let’s get this going.’ He knows it takes all of us. It takes his fullback. It takes his tight ends. It takes the receivers to pop big runs. It certainly takes the offensive line, and he knows that. He’s fully bought into the team concept of 'us.'”
Sunday will be Mathews’ first NFL playoff game.
The fourth-year veteran enters following the most productive four-game stretch of his Chargers career. He has 107 carries for 473 yards and three touchdowns in that span, adding nine catches for 64 yards.
The offensive line has been intact throughout, as the Chargers are 4-0 since getting left tackle King Dunlap (and outside linebackers Melvin Ingram and Jarret Johnson) back in the lineup.
Offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said Mathews has run his strongest down the stretch.
“Give him credit,” Whisenhunt said. “He’s made some really good, strong runs and been very decisive. … He feels good about the scheme we’re doing. His footwork has been much better, and it’s improved as the year’s gone on. That’s what happens when you get more repetitions. You get a feel for what you’re trying to get done. He’s a powerful runner.”
This past Sunday, the first game after the gifts. Mathews rushed 24 times for a career-high 144 yards against the Chiefs.
He did it despite missing practicing during the week with an ankle injury.
Coach Mike McCoy said Mathews, who’s been in a protective boot, is on the same schedule this week. He didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday but will today, again playing on Sunday.
Not once this season had Mathews passed up a question about his O-line.
This week, he made an exception when asked about the watches.
He lifted a backpack from his locker, flipped it his shoulders and turned around.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Mathews said with a smile, walking away.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/jan/03/bolts-block-busters-chargers-ryan-mathews-nfl
Mathews thanks offensive line with Gucci
Chargers RB credits linemen for his breakout season
To learn about Ryan Mathews, first know Willie Smith.
The veteran tackle signed with the Chargers in November — too late to have a locker next to other offensive linemen. He’s played one game for San Diego, six snaps last month during a blowout win.
Smith has hardly blocked for Mathews. He barely knows him.
One morning last week, he came to work and found a box on his locker-room chair.
“I was shocked,” Smith said.
Mathews had six 100-yard games in 2013, most among NFL running backs. After each, without exemption, he repeatedly gave credit to his O-line. It wasn’t lip service. There is a genuine bond between Mathews and his blockers, one that carries into Sunday’s playoff game versus the Bengals.
Mathews set a career high in rushing yards this season, finishing with 1,255.
As a token of appreciation, he bought each of his offensive linemen — even newcomer Smith — a Gucci watch.
“I was like, ‘What the heck? Gucci? On my seat? At my locker? Wow,’ ” Smith said. “That was my response. I did not expect to get anything. … I didn’t know who it was from until I asked everybody, and they said it was Ryan.”
Smith found Mathews and thanked him, telling him he didn’t have to give him anything but how he appreciated that he did.
Other linemen, like center Nick Hardwick, sought out and hugged Mathews just the same.
“He’s awesome,” Hardwick said. “That is who he is. It’s not him being humble just to be humble. He truly is that. He’ll grab you and say, ‘Let’s get this done. Let’s get this going.’ He knows it takes all of us. It takes his fullback. It takes his tight ends. It takes the receivers to pop big runs. It certainly takes the offensive line, and he knows that. He’s fully bought into the team concept of 'us.'”
Sunday will be Mathews’ first NFL playoff game.
The fourth-year veteran enters following the most productive four-game stretch of his Chargers career. He has 107 carries for 473 yards and three touchdowns in that span, adding nine catches for 64 yards.
The offensive line has been intact throughout, as the Chargers are 4-0 since getting left tackle King Dunlap (and outside linebackers Melvin Ingram and Jarret Johnson) back in the lineup.
Offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said Mathews has run his strongest down the stretch.
“Give him credit,” Whisenhunt said. “He’s made some really good, strong runs and been very decisive. … He feels good about the scheme we’re doing. His footwork has been much better, and it’s improved as the year’s gone on. That’s what happens when you get more repetitions. You get a feel for what you’re trying to get done. He’s a powerful runner.”
This past Sunday, the first game after the gifts. Mathews rushed 24 times for a career-high 144 yards against the Chiefs.
He did it despite missing practicing during the week with an ankle injury.
Coach Mike McCoy said Mathews, who’s been in a protective boot, is on the same schedule this week. He didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday but will today, again playing on Sunday.
Not once this season had Mathews passed up a question about his O-line.
This week, he made an exception when asked about the watches.
He lifted a backpack from his locker, flipped it his shoulders and turned around.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Mathews said with a smile, walking away.
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