Let The Ryan Mathews Era Begin

This kid looks like a UFC fighter. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he knows Muay Thai or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or some such other way to make grown men cry.

Congrats go to A.J. Smith for yet another draft day snake, moving up 16 spots to snag Ryan Mathews with the #12 overall pick. Mathews will be in the backfield from snap #1 of the Chargers' 2010 season, and I could not be more excited.

I'm also excited Mathews won't be on the field when the Illini go to Fresno St. this December. Mathews torched the Illini - as he torched most other teams - for 173 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 53-52 Fresno St. victory in Champaign last December 5.

Here is a picture of that fun day: