The Raiders took all their frustration about their stagnant running game out on the Chargers Sunday.
By the time the carnage was done, the Raiders out-gained San Diego 251-22. If that wasn’t embarrassing enough for the Chargers, their first-round pick Ryan Mathews didn’t play a snap in the game despite being healthy.
“I’m good,” Mathews said via the San Diego Union-Tribune. “I was ready to go in. I’ll just wait my turn. I’m a young running back. I know what they’re doing. It’s all a learning process.”
Chargers coach Norv Turner says Mathews just doesn’t know the team’s protections as well as starter Mike Tolbert. Still, it has to be a disappointment they can’t get the kid on the field in a game where Darren Sproles left in the second quarter.
The Chargers gave up a huge bounty to move up for Mathews and draft him No. 12. They haven’t got a lot in return for the investment this year, and they are running out of time to do so.