Is Mathews Overrated?

[nEoQuIcKsiLvEr]

Originally Posted by interpolfan11

If the FO successfully rebuilds the OL this offseason, I really think there's no way RM's not going to regain his 2011 form.

Because this season he simply had no chance. Our OL is TERRIBLE. People give Rivers a pass due to the OL (well at least some do, and more should) and yet they call Mathews awful despite being a Pro Bowl alternate the season before. Makes no sense.

And if the FO DOESN'T successfully rebuild the OL this offseason, and they end up letting him walk next year, I guarantee Mathews will be the next Sproles/VJ/Turner. Because where ever he goes will likely have a much better than OL than ours, and actually have a chance at succeeding.

It wouldn't matter if we get an o-line if Mathews is made of glass.

[chargermouse]

I really think we should draft another running back come April. I don't trust Mathews to last the entirety of a season. If Johnathan Franklin is there in the third, you draft him and don't look back.

[Bambi'slegacy]

The Question is is He OverRated? Do you trade up in the draft, to take an average RB?
It was said with LT, the line only had to give him a slither of light and he could hit it. I personally think he hesitates too long. If the line can only give RM a slither of light, by the time he sees it, its too late.
He had a few ok runs, but nothing special. I think him and Tolbert were both in the same class.
We need a workhorse, no more injuries. I think we could have brought back LT in his 10th year and had the same or better results.
So I would say, he has been a major disapointment.

[primetime24]

Originally Posted by chargermouse

I really think we should draft another running back come April. I don't trust Mathews to last the entirety of a season. If Johnathan Franklin is there in the third, you draft him and don't look back.

I would rather take another O-line guy or a corner, Rb is not that urgent of a need. I would be ok with a RB taken en the 5th-7th rounds though.

[Boltman541]

Yes, Mathews is overrated. Its time to draft Montee Ball or Gio Bernard.

[Boltman541]

Originally Posted by primetime24

I would rather take another O-line guy or a co
rner, Rb is not that urgent of a need. I would be ok with a RB taken en the 5th-7th rounds though.

Drafting a RB at that range has not worked our well for us. I would address it in the 3rd.

[Satcong_21]

Originally Posted by Boltman541

Yes, Mathews is overrated. Its time to draft Montee Ball or Gio Bernard.

Mathews is not just overrated, he is a fraud...Great looking player in college but can't excel in higher level in pro.

Same with Rivers....With all the numbers and all in college but average at best in pro...

And last time I checked, they were drafted to do best or extremely well in pro, not dwell on past college "football GPA"...

Ya ya...NO oline...Great players or well-deserved high first round picks make things happen IN GAMES when it count in many occasions...By THEMSELVES!

Funny how some "experts" out there think when they (RBs or QBs) did good...."Oh, the oline was awesome...Or great blocking all day"...But what they did not say is when the RB danced around, ran with speed/elusiveness on his own, and break away for 30 yard gain or first downs...Or QB shed off would be sack, ran for first down or extended the play, and hit open receiver for big gain instead of big loss of yard or fumble away...

I get it, this is still a team game and an OLINE is definitely needed...But do they need Fort Knox type of OLINE to make a Joe Montana or Barry Sanders?

[andocug]

Originally Posted by primetime24

I would rather take another O-line guy or a corner, Rb is not that urgent of a need. I would be ok with a RB taken en the 5th-7th rounds though.

Agree that we need to focus on the O line. Average RBs have great success gehind great O lines.

I'd say that Mathews is underused. In 2011, we got behind early and didnt use him enough. This year we simply have had a weak O line that gives little running room. Mathews has been injured and his production thus far doesn't match where we drafted him at (let alone what it took to trade up to get there).

I'm not a Mathews homer but he shows flashes of brilliance...hopefully he steps it up next season.

[primetime24]

Originally Posted by Satcong_21

Mathews is not just overrated, he is a fraud...Great looking player in college but can't excel in higher level in pro.

Same with Rivers....With all the numbers and all in college but average at best in pro...

And last time I checked, they were drafted to do best or extremely well in pro, not dwell on past college "football GPA"...

Ya ya...NO oline...Great players or well-deserved high first round picks make things happen IN GAMES when it count in many occasions...By THEMSELVES!

Funny how some "experts" out there think when they (RBs or QBs) did good...."Oh, the oline was awesome...Or great blocking all day"...But what they did not say is when the RB danced around, ran with speed/elusiveness on his own, and break away for 30 yard gain or first downs...Or QB shed off would be sack, ran for first down or extended the play, and hit open receiver for big gain instead of big loss of yard or fumble away...

I get it, this is still a team game and an OLINE is definitely needed...But do they need Fort Knox type of OLINE to make a Joe Montana or Barry Sanders?

Wow, because Rivers has been average his whole career right? Why not rewrite history to fit all of your views and when you don't like a player. Football is a team game, its not just one person like you want it to be. Barry Sanders didn't need an O-line because he was BARRY SANDERS! If you expect Mathews to be Barry you're going to be disappointed.

[Bambi'slegacy]

Maybe we should try to bring in Beane Wells to compete. Don't think he's been injujred and the Cardinals line isn't much better than Ours.
Beane has 5 td's.