Predictions: Ryan Mathews

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Ryan Mathews might of had the biggest shoes to fill in Chargers history. He was drafted 12th overall last season to replace the MVP running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Mathews attended Fresno State from 2007-2010. In his freshman year, Mathews rushed for 866 yards on 145 carries. He led the entire NCAA Freshman Class in yards per carry (6.0) and touchdowns (14). He missed most of his sophomore season with a knee injury. His junior season was what set him apart from the rest. He ran for 1,808 yards, which led the NCAA. Mathews was selected first team all-WAC, and second team all-American. It was very clear that Ryan Mathews was ready to play in the NFL. The Chargers traded up 6 picks to get Mathews. He has incredible speed and elusiveness, which San Diego realized could be their next star back.

There is no doubt about it, Mathews has potential. His rookie season was decent. It wasn’t what most fans wanted, but he’ll only get better. His game wasn’t what caused him to only rush for 678 yards, it was the injuries. His injury problems were a factor in his draft stock from day one. From the start of the season, Mathews dealt with injury problems. He had elbow problems, which made him wear a large band to protect it. He also dealt with an ankle injury that caused him to sit on the sidelines for 4 games.

Many fans, fantasy owners, and even some analysts say he’s a bust just from his rookie season. The reason many people say this about Mathews, is because of the shoes he had to fill. As a mentioned earlier, Mathews was the heir to Chargers’ great RB LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson is arguably one of the best running backs to ever play the game. He’s been notched as the best in the last decade (2000-2010). San Diego was expecting the same thing they got from LT, from Mathews.

Ryan is still young. His health issues are a downside, but his talent is a huge upside. The Chargers have two starting-caliber running backs now, so Mathews will have to prove this season why he’s undoubtedly San Diego’s star back. So on to my prediction. Ryan Mathews stays healthy, rushes for 1,000+ yards and 10+ touchdowns. He will also be considered a top 10 running back in the NFL when the season is over.

Predictions: Norv Turner

Prediction articles are always the most fun to write. The best thing is when your predictions actually turn out to be right. The expectations aren’t huge for the Chargers this seasonbecause of their poor season last year, but this could be the best all around roster the Chargers have had in the last 4 years, pssst. “NORV TURNER ERA.” Which brings me to my first prediction/opinion.

Time to Prove

Norv Turner took over the Head Coaching position for San Diego in 2007. The two years prior, he was the head coach for the Oakland Raiders and the offensive coordinator for the San Fransisco 49ers. Coaching for the Raiders, Norv went 4-12 and finished last in the AFC West. Turner didn’t have a great coaching record, but San Diego signed him anyways. Over the four years he’s been with the Chargers, he’s won the division three times, won three playoff games, and has a record of 41-23.

On paper, his career in San Diego looks pretty good, but most Charger fans will tell you otherwise. With the talent that the Chargers have, a Super Bowl Championship should have been accomplished by now. The closest they ever got to that feat was Turner’s first year in San Diego where they lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship. The year after, they lost to the Steelers in the Divisional Round. Then they lost to the Jets in the same round the next year. Two playoff wins, then one, then none, then missing the postseason. Those are the stats that really count. Norv must show some sort of potential to the front office, because they fired Marty Shottenheimer after a 14-2 season. Turner is on very thin ice. His success as a Charger is free falling, and is close to hitting the end. This is a make or break year for Turner. Anything short of at least one playoff win, could be the end of the Norv Turner Era.

@alexramirez127

Floyd Returns

With all the teams wanting to sign Malcom Floyd, he chose to stay in San Diego for two more years. Baltimore was at the top of the list this morning, and was predicted to sign him. The numbers for his contract hasn’t been released yet, but I assume it will be less than what he could’ve gotten elsewhere. San Diego recently signed Laurent Robinson, WR from the Rams. With Floyd back on the roster, the receiver situation is pretty crowded. Vincent Jackson, Patrick Crayton, along with Floyd, are the ones that are for sure to make the team. Depending on how many receivers A.J. Smith wants to keep; Seyi Ajirotutu, Vincent Brown, Kelley Washington, Laurent Robinson, and Richard Goodman will all be battling for the number 4 and 5 spot.


With Malcom’s return, the player who is most happy has to be Philip Rivers. To one side, he has 6’5” Vincent Jackson. To the other, he has 6’5” Malcom Floyd. Rivers will have the most weapons he’s ever had in his career as a quarterback. Did I forget to mention he still has Gates as his tight end? Think of it this way. Rivers led the league in passing yards last season, while throwing to Floyd, who missed several games with injuries, Gates, who also missed several games with an injury, Patrick Crayton, who ALSO missed several games with a broken wrist, and only had Vincent Jackson for 5 games. This season, he will have Jackson all year, a healthy Floyd, a healthy Gates, and a healthy Crayton. Not to mention, Seyi Ajirotutu and Vincent Brown in the slot. Rivers could go on a tear this season with his new weapons.

A.J. Smith said this about Malcom Floyd’s return.

“We have a lot of happy Chargers today with the return of Malcom. He has been an integral part of our team and it’s great to have him back.”

The Chargers have really scored big this free agency. Darren Sproles was the only real valuable asset to the team they lost, but filling in for him is easier than the other players they did retain. Weddle was re-signed, Jackson re-signed, Tolbert re-signed, and now Floyd re-signed. Plus, Takeo Spikes, Travis Laboy, and Bob Sanders were signed to bolster our defense. San Diego didn’t lose much, and added key players that could be the missing ingredients for a Super Bowl team.

Nnamdi Asomugha might have been the biggest free agent this offseason, but Floyd also had over 200 yards one on one against him last season. Rivers said it.

“Every season, San Diego is always playing with big expectations. This year, we don’t have those expectations. And that will make us prove people wrong , and play harder.”

With M80 back, this team is looking better and better. Great pick Floyd, now get to work!

Bye Bye Floyd, Hello Cotchery?

According to ESPN’s John Clayton, Jerricho Cotchery was released by New York today. He expects Philip Rivers and the Chargers to make a run at signing him.

“Now that J. Cotchery is a former Jet, watch for Philip Rivers to push for the Chargers to sign him. They’re lifelong friends.”

Rivers and Cotchery played together at North Carolina State. Each came into the NFL in 2004.
Cotchery broke the school records with 200 receptions, and 15 100+ yard games in his career. Torry Holt was the record holder before him. He also had 3,119 yards and 21 touchdowns in his career at NCS.

He was the 108th pick in the fourth round of the 2004 draft by the New York Jets. He’s been with them for his entire career (7 years).

In New York, Jerricho had 353 receptions for 4,474 yards, and 18 touchdowns. He also rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown.

Yes, the numbers aren’t jaw dropping. But he had Chad Pennington, Brett Favre on the downhill, and a young Mark Sanchez. Imagine what he could do with Philip Rivers, who’s in his prime, throwing him the ball. If he does sign with the Chargers, he will have a very good chance battling for the second outside receiver.

Cotchery is 6’1” and 200 lbs. He’s not the 6’5” receiver, hence Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd, that Rivers is used to throwing to, but he’s the type of guy who doesn’t drop many balls, will help out younger receivers, and already has chemistry with the quarterback.

San Diego will wait till Malcom Floyd makes his decision before they make any of their own. Floyd would be a much better guy to have over Cotchery, but it depends on his price. The Chargers would much rather have Jerricho for cheap, than paying Floyd top dollars just to stay. The way it’s looking as of now, Floyd will be a Raven. The only way he remains a Charger, is if he takes less money to stay in San Diego. The Chargers will not jump in on the bidding war with Baltimore, San Fransisco, or any other team willing to pay Floyd.

Jan Chapman: Accomplished Man

Jan Chapman is a man known to little, but respected by many. He is most famous for being a statistician for the San Diego Chargers, but that's just an understatement to what he has done and accomplished.

Jan was born in Kansas and lived there until he was eighteen. As a teen, Chapman was involved in many sports; Football, Basketball, Track, and summer Baseball. I asked him which sport was his favorite, I suspected Football. Surprisingly, he told me Baseball. Unfortunately, he only played it in the summer. When he said that, The Sandlot immediately came to mind. Baseball may have been his favorite, but Football was where he was best.

The next question I asked him was, by the end of your senior year, did you already know what you wanted to do with your life?  ''I already knew I wanted to be a teacher, football was a second option," Jan said. "If you're good enough, why not play?" Chapman said about his future in football. I completely agree.

Jan received a full ride scholarship from the University of Arizona to play football. He wanted to stay near his friends and family, so he decided to attend Arkansas Junior College. He only attended the College for one semester, and then sent a letter back to Arizona asking if the scholarship was still open. Happily, it was. Jan only spent two semesters there, playing football and doing track in both. After the two semesters, he decided to join the Navy.

Chapman moved to San Diego and played football, basketball, and baseball at the NTC (Naval Training Center) as a Recruit Chief Petty Officer. I asked Jan how long he was in the Navy. I didn't expect such a specific amount when he told me "One year, 10 months, and 12 days."

In 1958, Jan decided to go back to Arkansas City Junior College. This time, he focused on track, specifically javelin. After another semester back at the College, Jan was offered another scholarship. This time, to the University of San Diego. He knew the area from the Navy, and decided to accept the offer.

He went to USD for three years. He played basketball for two, baseball for two, and football all three. After he graduated from the University, Jan decided to try out for the Chargers in 1961. "I played with them for three weeks during camp, but then Head Coach Sid Gillman told me he has to let me go" Jan said. "He asked me to help out with the team though. I helped the quarterbacks by throwing passes during practices." Later that year, during the season, Gillman asked Chapman to help keep stats for San Diego for a game. "I'd keep stats for one game almost every year."

In 1962, Jan began teaching. He started at Marian Catholic High School and taught there for six years.
In 1968, Jan began teaching at Castle Park High School and taught there for five years.

Also in 1968, Chapman became the full time statistician for the Chargers. He worked every home game, every season, for twenty seven years. (1968-1995). He taught, kept stats, and even sometimes coached all in the same time period.

After Castle Park, Jan taught at Bonita Vista High School for another five years. There, he was the head coach for football. In only his second year coaching, he led the school to a League Title Championship.

Jan has four kids, two boys, two girls. Both of his sons helped spot for statisticians at Chargers games. One of his daughters also helped out, being a runner for the statisticians.

The last things I asked him, were about football today. I asked who his favorite team was, hoping it was the Chargers. "I am a Charger fan, ever since they were established back in 1960," Jan answered. "I also follow San Diego State University (SDSU); Actually, when I wanted to watch a SDSU basketball game, I helped the statisticians so I could sit court side." he joked.

I then asked him, what do you think the Chargers need to do in order to be Super Bowl Champions? "They need to work on their defense, especially their defensive line." he answered. The last question I asked him was, do you miss being around the Chargers every Sunday? He laughed as he told me, "No, not really. I'd rather watch the games here at my house, on tv, with my wife. There's too much traffic at the stadium, I don't like dealing with it."

I spent about an hour talking to Jan Chapman, and I already could tell what a man he was. The respect I have for him, from just that one conversation is unbelievable. He's kept stats, taught, been in the Navy, coached, been to three Colleges, played many sports, played with the Chargers, gotten married, and had children. Jan Chapman is, by all means, one of the most accomplished men that I have ever met. And I could tell, that he loves every bit of what he's done.

Other facts: Chapman currently coaches at Eastlake High School. He also has thrown the first pitch at a San Diego Padres game. Chargers radio statistician for ten years as well.

Jan was my first interview, and I couldn't of imagined someone better to start with.

Floyd to Baltimore?

 

The Ravens are the front runners to land Malcom Floyd. With the signing of Laurent Robinson, his return to San Diego is unlikely. Adding Floyd will bolster the deep game. Joe Flacco has Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason to throw to. Floyd will add to the arsenal of elite weapons, just ask Philip Rivers. Floyd is a 6’5” receiver, that can go up and grab passes out of the air. His jumping ability is unbelievable. The Chargers will miss him a lot, but with Vincent Jackson returning, not as much. If Floyd does indeed go to Baltimore, best of luck to him. He will be playing for another Championship contender.

Gates Almost Ready

Antonio Gates, one of the best Tight Ends ever to play in the NFL, has finally hit a speed bump. Plantar Fascias is that speed bump. The injury plagued him last season, as well as the start of this season. He started training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Gates is one of the biggest, and strongest tight ends in the game today. Defensive players have agreed that he is the hardest player to guard in the league. 

Gates has said that his foot has been hurting, even this long after the injury. He’s probably at about 85% right now. Charger fans have been anxious to see what Gates can do coming off an injury like this. Antonio hopes to be back on the field on Thursday.

If the Chargers get Gates back at full health, they will be in VERY good shape. Quarterback Philip Rivers will have Vincent Jackson, Patrick Crayton, Seyi Ajirotutu, Vincent Brown, newcomer Laurent Robinson, and Gates to throw to.