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Mathews vs. Woodhead - the San Diego backfield (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Ghoti
- Start date
i do think mathews is a decent back, like a moreno type. I just dont see how people could get excited over him. ill have to go back and look over this thread, but someone was spot on in reference to mathews being the back when they have a lead and are trying to burn some clock. as far as the redzone, mathews has had a fumbling problem and it seems that they dont want to use him in the redzone. he is a high risk flex play, and should only be used in games where they should easily win.
Tau837
Footballguy
The current coaching staff and GM have been in place for less than one year. During that time:
Mathews has fumbled 1 time in 124 touches.
Woodhead has fumbled 2 times in 102 touches.
Even going back to last year, since the 2012 season began, Mathews has 3 fumbles on 347 touches, which is a better ratio than Woodhead has this year. Mathews' fumbling issue is overblown.
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I think Woodhead fumbled last week, too, but the video evidence was inconclusive.
Woodhead only does one thing better than Mathews - look harmless so that defenses don't pay any attention to him. Thus, they let him slide open out of the backfield for little 10 yard receptions.
Woodhead only does one thing better than Mathews - look harmless so that defenses don't pay any attention to him. Thus, they let him slide open out of the backfield for little 10 yard receptions.
Mathews was in at the end and writers tweeted that rivers audiblef to the gates fade.
Mathews might have value if woodhead misses time. But watch sd stick it to him and use brown as 3rd dwn and gl back.
Mathews fumble earlier this year put him back i the doghouse. If he scored he would have gotten morr chances. Apparantly he is a puppy dog and coaches feel they have to rub his nose in his mistakes.
cstu
Footballguy
RGIII HTTR
Footballguy
As a Redskins fan, I was glad to see that SD has idiots for coaches on that series. LOL, it still tickles me that they would try to use Woodhead to punch it in.
Ghoti
Footballguy
[SIZE=medium]So let’s revisit this. I didn’t see the game against Miami, but the stats indicate Mathews had a great game and outplayed Woodhead. Is this a continuing trend? Is Mathews becoming “the guy”? Can anyone who watched the game speak to how the split worked out?[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]With some major RBs on bye this week (McCoy, Lynch, etc.), are those of you with Woodhead/Mathews plugging them in against a tough KC defense on the road?[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]With some major RBs on bye this week (McCoy, Lynch, etc.), are those of you with Woodhead/Mathews plugging them in against a tough KC defense on the road?[/SIZE]
bicycle_seat_sniffer
Smells like chicken
who knows what these moronic head coaches will do.
Cant count on either one really and the KC rush Def numbers are not that good
DanFouts
Footballguy
I imagine Chargers will try to establish run with Matthews early and he'll have early yards but not TDs. They will get bogged down near redzone and settle for FGs. Then they start to get pummeled by the Chefs by end of second quarter. They will use Woodhead most the the third/fourth quarter in a desperate fight to catch up.
Raiderfan32904
Footballguy
My Woodhead/Novak combo looks like 
then. 
then. The Chiefs are 29th in the league in ypc (4.7) in front of only the Chargers (4.8), Saints (4.9), and the Cowboys (4.9). They've only giving up 4 rushing TDs, but we weren't really expecting any of those anyway...
In other news, I was a little disappointed that Mathews got caught on this 51-yard run. It didn't really look like the guy had much of an angle on him.
Not likely. The Chiefs haven't been running away with games. They average a very middle-of-the-road 23.2 pts/gm, including four defensive scores and one kickoff return. They have 18 offensive TDs in 10 games. So long as Rivers doesn't throw a pick 6, I don't foresee KC running away with this one.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
BearsFan4Life
Footballguy
silentcoach
Footballguy
SD would be a better team if they threw more. Their gameplan v miami was atrocious, despite how "well" they were running the ball.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
That's the only site I've seen with that combine time for Matthews - I don't think it's correct. I see 4.45 listed everywhere else:
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/ryan-mathews?id=497188
http://www.40-yard-dash-times.com/ryan-matthews-40-yard-dash-time.html
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/player/combine/_/id/25740/ryan-mathews
http://www.chacha.com/question/what-is-ryan-mathews-40-yard-dash-time
4.45 is definitely correct. That site is usually pretty reliable so I didn't even look at Mathews (I assumed it was listed at 4.45 and quickly linked it for both players for consistency). I use that site as my default for combine numbers so that's a bit disturbing that it is wrong there.
Generally, I'll take a 4.45 combine number over a 4.38 pro day number. The people with stop watches tend to have itchy trigger fingers at pro days. Bottomline, with pads on, I doubt their speed is very distinguishable.
One thing that always stands out to me is Woodhead's 20 reps of 225. That is solid.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
I think Matthews is a very good back - I own him in two dynasty leagues and Woodhead in only one of them.
Woodhead is surely faster with or without padding. I'm not trying to knock Matthews as he's probably a better all around RB than Woodhead, but I also think people generally dismiss Woodhead for many reasons other than what he actually does on the field. He's a very solid player and it's no great injustice that Woodhead gets snaps at Matthews' expense.
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If that's true, then we're talking about less than a tenth of a second in shorts. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Mathews was actually faster with pads on, though.
But I do think it's a bit of an injustice in that Mathews is actually a better pass blocker and is very possibly a better receiver. He's certainly a better short yardage back. I am not saying that PFF stats are gold, they definitely should be taken with a grain of salt, but it doesn't surprise me that Woodhead finished very low in their rankings last year. I don't see him making a lot of people miss or breaking tackles.
Woodhead is a guy that's very easy to root for and ragging on Mathews was definitely in vogue for the "experts" so I'm not surprised Woodhead was hyped a bit this offseason and has been producing numbers so everyone feels like this is the way things were meant to be, but if we take a step back, maybe phasing Woodhead out would work well for the Chargers. The guy is useless is pass pro and has never been that adept between the tackles. I don't see how Mathews could possibly be a downgrade.
But I do think it's a bit of an injustice in that Mathews is actually a better pass blocker and is very possibly a better receiver. He's certainly a better short yardage back. I am not saying that PFF stats are gold, they definitely should be taken with a grain of salt, but it doesn't surprise me that Woodhead finished very low in their rankings last year. I don't see him making a lot of people miss or breaking tackles.
Woodhead is a guy that's very easy to root for and ragging on Mathews was definitely in vogue for the "experts" so I'm not surprised Woodhead was hyped a bit this offseason and has been producing numbers so everyone feels like this is the way things were meant to be, but if we take a step back, maybe phasing Woodhead out would work well for the Chargers. The guy is useless is pass pro and has never been that adept between the tackles. I don't see how Mathews could possibly be a downgrade.
Week, team snaps, Mathews snaps, Mathews carries + targets, Woodhead snaps, Woodhead carries + targets
Wk Tm RM C+T DW C+T01 53 20 15 09 0302 73 27 17 41 1803 59 19 16 27 1304 72 35 23 32 1205 72 03 03 45 1806 75 40 23 28 1407 69 34 21 33 1309 64 15 07 44 1910 73 26 16 31 1111 65 36 21 24 07Notes:
Week 5 - Mathews concussion.
Week 10 - Mathews missed a series or two with a hamstring injury.
Woodhead has 5 goal line carries and 2 targets.
Mathews has 2 goal line carries and 0 targets (scored on both opps).
Brown has 3 goal line carries and 0 targets.
Out of 255 snaps, Mathews has been utilized on 162 (64%).
Out of 314 snaps, Woodhead has been utilized on 128 (41%).
Mathews is averaging 4.4 ypc and 8.4 ypr.
Woodhead is averaging 3.8 ypc and 7.7 ypr.
Wk Tm RM C+T DW C+T01 53 20 15 09 0302 73 27 17 41 1803 59 19 16 27 1304 72 35 23 32 1205 72 03 03 45 1806 75 40 23 28 1407 69 34 21 33 1309 64 15 07 44 1910 73 26 16 31 1111 65 36 21 24 07Notes:
Week 5 - Mathews concussion.
Week 10 - Mathews missed a series or two with a hamstring injury.
Woodhead has 5 goal line carries and 2 targets.
Mathews has 2 goal line carries and 0 targets (scored on both opps).
Brown has 3 goal line carries and 0 targets.
Out of 255 snaps, Mathews has been utilized on 162 (64%).
Out of 314 snaps, Woodhead has been utilized on 128 (41%).
Mathews is averaging 4.4 ypc and 8.4 ypr.
Woodhead is averaging 3.8 ypc and 7.7 ypr.
BoltBacker
Footballguy
I agree with DanFouts.
OFFENSE
- most of SD success comes from Rivers audibles and KC is not a friendly place for opposing QB's trying to audilbe.
- the OL is in disarray(as always?) and the front 7 should get a lot of pressure on Rivers, especially if he can't change plays when he sees where the blitz is coming from. In particular I think Poe disrupts the pocket most of the day and Rivers isn't exactly $ outside the pocket.
DEFENSE
- SD has problems with mobile QB's and Smith is very mobile.
- if SD tackles like they did last week in MIA none of this matters, you might only get one shot on Charles and if you miss him he's gone
- In the secondary the thought of Wright chasing Avery 5 yards behind, Cox trying to tackle Bowe, or Marshall trying to keep up with the quickness of McCluster has me thinking SD is going to give up nearly as many points as the 31 KC dropped on the NYG at home.
Biggest problem of all, KC should win the TO battle by two which would more or less seal the fate of the Chargers. I predicted a win vs den but I don't see SD having much chance to win this game. This week may even be the low point of the entire season, which is saying something when you consider they lost in oak by double digits. I hope I'm wrong.
BoltBacker
Footballguy
"Why isn't the china doll getting that goal line carry instead of Woodhead!?! OMG"
BoltBacker
Footballguy
Don't worry. You and all the king's horses and all the king's men can glue him back together again.
Bigboy10182000
Footballguy
Any reason why Woodhead's snap counts have decreased so much recenetly?
Run It Up
Footballguy
Bigboy10182000
Footballguy
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Good call. Not only did he play in the next game, he got 36 snaps vs. 27 for Woodhead and 1 for Brown.
BoltBacker
Footballguy
Yep, 14 carries seems about right. Have said it all season long. That puts him on pace for..... ~237 carries? That would be the most he's ever managed to muster in a season.
If you're excited that he played a large role in the Chargers scoring 10 points at home last week all I can say is I'm happy for both you and Mathews. I thought the offense was pretty disappointing last week but didn't notice Mathews was such a big part of the offense until you pointed it out. Maybe it just boils down to a difference of opinion in what we expect in terms of production from the 12th pick in the draft.
It isn't his fault his coaches fail to completely utilize him. He's looked good doing what they've asked of him and he's clearly earning some respect amongst the staff as he is getting a larger slice of the pie in regards to snaps.
However, that is a bit off topic. I don't really care where he was drafted in the NFL draft. He was a 5th round draft pick for me in 2013 across multiple leagues and he's performed quite well on the season, clocking in as RB20. If you want to cry about the fact that he was drafted #12 overall 4 years ago or that he's missed a significant amount of time due to injuries in the past, go right ahead, but it isn't pertinent to this discussion. You can also make snarky comments about injuries but it just made you look dumb when he suited up and carried the load the very next week. I'd wish you better luck with your next snarky shot, but I'm not sure you'd grasp the sarcasm.
However, that is a bit off topic. I don't really care where he was drafted in the NFL draft. He was a 5th round draft pick for me in 2013 across multiple leagues and he's performed quite well on the season, clocking in as RB20. If you want to cry about the fact that he was drafted #12 overall 4 years ago or that he's missed a significant amount of time due to injuries in the past, go right ahead, but it isn't pertinent to this discussion. You can also make snarky comments about injuries but it just made you look dumb when he suited up and carried the load the very next week. I'd wish you better luck with your next snarky shot, but I'm not sure you'd grasp the sarcasm.
LargeMouthBass
Footballguy
Mathews has been sitting on my bench and producing some good numbers, will this continue this week?
I haven't been paying too much attention to the Chargers, is Ryan Mathews the clear #1 RB for them now?
I haven't been paying too much attention to the Chargers, is Ryan Mathews the clear #1 RB for them now?
You seem rather bitter towards Mathews. Maybe that should be directed towards the coaches instead. He can't control his use. Do you realize that on that meager load, he has four 100 yard games, only one less than the leaders (McCoy and AP)?
RBM
Footballguy
Same situation. I'm just too scared to trust him, especially in a playoff game.
LargeMouthBass
Footballguy
I'm going to start him over CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson. I thought I'd never say this but Mathews will get more carries and will be a safer start. 
Andrew74
Footballguy
There has definitely appeared to be a change of attitude towards him by the coaches. He's getting a decent workload, getting goal line carries and targets in the passing game - and producing. He's leapfrogged Morris for me but sitting behind Charles and Vereen. I'd have no problems plugging him in if needed.
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BoltBacker
Footballguy
I'm bitter that it cost two high draft picks to land a glorified RBBC back, yes. Which coaches should I direct that bitterness towards? Apparently two completely different coaching staffs have been intentionally hurting their own careers by punishing Mathews by making him share the load when we all know he would be a beast if they would just give him the rock! Maybe some people think I should be bitter at the coaches because they wanted him to be injury/fumble prone, but I don't understand that line of thinking either.
I don't even dislike Mathews to be honest, I dislike the over inflated opinion so many people have of him... most importantly AJ Smith's over inflated opinion of him.
BTW I think you may want to be careful with the "meager work load" and "100 yard games" shtick in the same sentence. If it takes 29 rushes to get 100 yards I think a lot of guys could be worth a top 12 pick in the draft.
BoltBacker
Footballguy
... but where he was drafted in your fantasy league IS pertinent to this discussion. Got it.
Out of curiosity where was Woodhead drafted in your fantasy league since we have established that's what really matters here? They have had almost identical production this season thus far.
Don't be dense. His fantasy football draft position this year is all that matters - not his NFL draft selection 4 years ago. While mine was anecdotal it was representative of his actual ADP this year. The point obviously was that anyone who drafted him probably took him in the 5th round (at about RB24) where he has more than justified the draft pick.
Sweet Love
IBL Representative
I am forced to start both Mathews and Woodhead this week due to ADP getting hurt. I have Ivory too, but just know I will pick the wrong one to sit...Over the last five games Woodhead has had more than 10 points 3 of 5, and Mathews has had more than 10 points 4 of 5...you can get away with starting both, but you have less than a 50% chance that both will go off.
Raiderfan32904
Footballguy
FWIW, I don't think that's a bad situation. It can only blow up in your face if Denver routs the Chargers and they have to abandon the run game. Even so, in PPR leagues, you'd expect that one or both of them to get targeted a bunch. I like the combined floor, even if the ceiling is a little low. At least you won't be kicking yourself starting the wrong Charger back. I'd have a knot in my stomach starting a Jets back during the playoffs.
BoltBacker
Footballguy
If you don't dislike him, why do you cherry pick his stats and refuse to look at him objectively? He's averaging 4.3 ypc this year. In his four 100 yard games, he's averaging 4.85. Yet, you choose to focus on the one game where he rushes 29 times for 103 yards to make your irrational point. Do you evaluate AP solely on his 26 carry, 100 yard day? Very strange.
BoltBacker
Footballguy
How can you look at his career as anything but a disappointment if you look at it objectively?
