Running back Ryan Mathews was selected in the first round of the 2010 draft, but he only saw limited action during his rookie season because he missed six games due to a high ankle sprain. When he did play he struggled with pass protection and with ball security as he had five fumbles with three lost at critical moments.

“Last year things were going a hundred miles an hour,” Mathews said. “I was trying to think and play at the same time and it really wasn’t helping me.” However, Mathews finished strong. He rushed for a 120 yards and three touchdowns against the Denver Broncos in the final game of the season and he has carried that momentum into this season. Through the first three games, Mathews has three rushing touchdowns and 393 combined yards of offense.

Fans, teammates and opposing coaches are starting to take notice. “It looks to me like (Mathews) is starting to play really good football,” Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano said. “I think he is a young, emerging star that is going to be in this league for a long time.”

Against the Kansas City Chiefs last week, Mathews had 98 rushing yards on 21 carries including two rushing touchdowns. He also had 51 receiving yards on four receptions. “I thought Ryan Mathews had his best game,” coach Norv Turner said. “He is becoming the complete back we expect him to be. He is really doing a great job in the passing game. He has a 13.3 yards average (per catch) for 14 catches, which is really impressive.”

Mathews rushed for only 678 yards his rookie season and has already rushed for 207 yards this season. He has impressively tallied up more receiving yards this year (186) than he did a year ago (145). “This year it is a total turn around, it really is,” Mathews said. “It’s me being able to focus and just play football.”

Quarterback Philip Rivers is also appreciative of the strides Mathews has made in his game. “I am glad he is on our side and he is our running back,” Rivers said. “He is turning into a heck of a player. He has improved every week.”

One of the biggest areas Mathews has improved in is pass protection for Rivers. “It’s me being more comfortable and the game slowing down,” Mathews explained. “I am more patient in pass blocking. It’s helping me out a lot. I am back there scanning. If my guy doesn’t come then I am getting out into the routes and giving Philip another target to throw it to.”

“He has made the progress he needs to make,” Turner said. However, there is still room for growth. “(Against the Chiefs) he had some great runs and he missed a couple. He had a chance late in the game to break one and it might have been a 60 yarder. He is going to see it and realize there is a lot more out there for him to do as he continues to play and just get comfortable playing.”

Mathews agrees with Turner, “I know I can work on a lot of stuff,” Mathews said. As Mathews improves, Turner plans to get the ball to him more. “That has always been the intention,” Turner said.

Turner, however, also says running back Mike Tolbert will still be very much a part of the game. plan. “I like the mix we have with our two backs. Obviously, it is a week-to-week deal. I like seeing Ryan on the field doing what he is doing and I like Mike’s contribution.”

Inside linebacker Takeo Spikes, whose job it is to stop the opposing team’s running game, also appreciates what he is seeing out of Mathews. “He’s making (defenders) miss,” Spikes said. “For the defensive guys (on our team) sitting on the sideline, we love it. Now we can sit back and sip up some more Gatorade, add another first down, and chew up some more time off of the clock.”

Controlling the football and winning the time of possession battle is a critical component to winning games in the NFL. “In (the Chargers) last ten wins they are averaging about 36 minutes per game in time of possession,” Sparano said. “So, that tells you a little bit about them driving the football.”

Hopefully, this emerging star will continue to shine bright this Sunday as Mathews helps the Chargers offense control the ball against the Dolphins.

In other Chargers’ related news: The Field of Hope football field at San Pasqual Academy, a live-in high school for foster children, was dedicated on Monday, September 26. Quarterback Philip Rivers and cornerback Quentin Jammer played a large role in raising the funds for the field. The video shows highlights of the event.