Chargers RB Ryan Mathews fumbled, hurt his ankle and then watched Mike Tolbert score two touchdowns — what should have been his touchdowns. Already the anxiety is becoming too much. One friend acquaintance tried to explain that Mathews’ struggles illustrate why Boise State should not be in the Top 5.

While I am still trying to figure out why a rookie from Fresno State’s performance would hurt Boise State, let’s not give up on Mathews just yet.

Coach Norv Turner told reporters (via the San Diego Union-Tribune) that he wanted to make sure that Mathews did not further injure himself. In other words, Turner was saying, we were smoking the Jaguars who had no chance of coming back, so I will let the undrafted rookie have his day.

The Chargers are going to take their time to develop Mathews a little bit more, but I look for him to be solid as the season progresses. Do not give up on him after two weeks. But you might want to prey on an owner who feels he might have overpaid on him after two weeks.

And, conversely, Tolbert will be a hot name on the waiver wire, but I would not overpay for him. These nice games will come and go, but I don’t see him being a long-term answer.

A few other overreactions from Week 2:

• Jimmy Clausen will end the value of Steve Smith. I don’t necessarily believe this. Clausen will not be a good fantasy quarterback this season, but he should lock in on Smith enough to make him a good second receiver as he has been this year.

• Raiders RB Darren McFadden is ready to be trusted. McFadden has had back-to-back great games, but probably wasted on your bench. McFadden’s value will likely take a bit of a tumble when Michael Bush returns. Find the Raiders fan in your league and try to deal McFadden, who is a good sell-high candidate.

• Chiefs coach Todd Haley hates your fantasy team. Well, this is true. Haley admitted it last week, and even Jamaal Charles acknowledged that he is the backup to Thomas Jones. Have fun with this situation.

– Adam Rank

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