San Diego Chargers: Ricardo Mathews needs to step up

ByKeith Demolder|

Coming into the 2015 off-season, the San Diego Chargers knew that their defensive line had (for the most part) under performed in 2014. And while their pass defense ranked fourth best in the league, San Diego ranked 26th in the league with 124.1 rushing yards allowed per game with a fourth-worst 4.5 yards per carry average. The Chargers’ 11 rushing touchdowns allowed ranked 14th in the NFL as well.

In spite of this fact, the “San Diego Chargers announced the team re-signed defensive lineman Ricardo Mathews to a one-year deal on Tuesday,” according to ESPN’s Eric D. Williams.

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And although the monetary terms of the deal have not been announced quite yet, the Bolts solidified their defensive front. Considering that Mathews was with the Bolts for the majority of 2014, I believe that his signing is important to the Bolts success in that he was able to record 21 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2014.

He gives the Bolts depth on the defensive line and his age and abilities at 27 still give him a potential to improve and reach his prime. And while Mathews has the potential to make a difference in 2015, I think he needs to earn his right to play before he’s guaranteed anything.

This season needs to justify Mathews’ contract in that Mathews needs to upgrade his sack, tackle and tackle for loss totals in 2015. If Mathews can do this (which is a possibility), then Tom Telesco made a good move in bringing him back for this season. Once the Bolts can get Mathews started, they should see some improvement in terms of the run game and pass coverage.

In terms of his contract, I thought it was a good idea for Telesco to sign him to just one single year in 2015 that way Mathews can earn his spot on the roster after the 2015 season is through.

Mathews played his college ball at the University of Cincinnati and achieved relative dominance rushing the passer and stopping the run. In his senior season he had 11.5 tackles for loss to go along with 42 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a pair of quarterback hurries and a Second-Team All-Big East selection. Eventually he was drafted in the seventh round by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2010 NFL Draft.

We could see Mathews get back to basics and return to his college form in 2015.

But at the same time, we could see another unremarkable season from the Bolts pass rush.

With Mathews’ new contract, I am excited to see what this new defense has in store for 2015, but we have to be sure that there isn’t a better rookie or free agent rusher out there.

As training camp does on, we will see if signing Ricardo Mathews was a good move. I still don’t 100 percent believe that Mathews can or will be the run-stopping force he once was, but I figure that if there is a time for a renewed pass rush, it is now.

Liuget and Mathews can be the two guys to lead the Bolts in 2015, but I would still draft a defensive end or outside linebacker if the opportunity goes up. I believe a position battle at defensive end would serve San Diego best considering that there needs to better play at that position than other positions.

If anything though, I think that Mathews should make a transition to the defensive tackle position like he played in college and in high school. According to his CBSSports.com college profile, Mathews “recorded 56.5 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. as a senior and was a multiple-sport athlete who reached the state championships in track and was a conference champion wrestler.”

Nov 23, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Ricardo Mathews (90) next to cornerback

Brandon Flowers

(26) during the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Since Mathews saw success as a defensive tackle, I think that the Chargers should have him switch over in place Sean Lissemore. And regardless of how much playing time he sees, Kendall Reyes will most likely be the starting left defensive end with Corey Liuget being the starting right defensive end.

In the end, the signing gives San Diego some depth on the defensive line which is always a good thing to have considering the physical toll defensive linemen take during a season. Hopefully the Bolts’ defensive line can get a better push up front in 2015 than they did in 2014. If they can get pressure on the quarterback while stopping the run, they’ve done their best to help secure a Chargers playoff appearance.

Next: Chargers Free Agency: Brandon Flowers re-signing impact

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