Ryan Matthews officially started his NFL career with the San Diego Chargers after signing a five-year contract worth over $25 million.
Rookie signs Chargers contract to fill void left by L.T
Ryan Matthews was excited to officially start his NFL career with the San Diego Chargers after signing a five-year rookie contract worth over $25 million.
The Fresno State running back was a first round choice in April's draft for the Chargers, and he now starts the unenviable task of filling the boots of LaDainian Tomlinson.
San Diego moved up the order to grab Matthews, and he looks likely to go straight into the role vacated by former league MVL Tomlinson, who was released by the team before joining the New York Jets.
Matthews has huge shoes to fill in replacing Tomlinson, but his record of 3,280 rushing yards in three college seasons with Fresno State was enough to convince the team he is the man for the job.
Matthews has been handed a guaranteed $15 million after signing his five-year deal, and he was thrilled to be at training camp just in time for the start of the serious pre-season work.
New start
"The adrenaline was rushing and I learned a lot of new stuff," Mathews said.
"Everyone is going 100 miles an hour - safeties, linebackers coming at you a little harder in pads. It's football and I love to play it. It's all fun.
"Myself, I'm just here to help the team win. That is the No. 1 thing why they drafted me. That is all I can say. My role on the team is just to run the ball and help the team do what it can to get to the last game of the year."
Matthews has missed a few practice sessions while his contract was sorted out, but he is now ready to hit the ground running for the upcoming season.
"I've got a little bit of making up to do, but that will happen in the next couple of days," he said.
The Chargers made the move for Matthews in a bid to have a feature running back in their game, with Darren Sproles a dangerous runner and special teamer but not seen as tough enough to be an every-down back.
Although they have signed up Matthews, there is still some unrest in San Diego with left tackle Marcus McNeill and linebacker Shawne Merriman both missing from camp as their contract disputes continues.
Wide receiver Vincent Jackson is rumoured to be considering sitting out ten games of the season in protest about his lack of a contract, but the Chargers are still playing down talk of a trade to Washington or Seattle despite the player's unrest.
