Ryan Mathews, who has been part of a committee approach in his first two seasons with the Chargers, is preparing for a bigger role in 2012. In the last two years, Darren Sproles and Mike Tolbert have left San Diego, clearing the way for Mathews to get a majority of the carries. Mathews had 222 carries for 1,091 yards and six touchdowns last season, adding 50 receptions for 455 yards out of the backfield. "I personally think he's ready to take that next step," coach Norv Turner said. "That means, to me, the production goes way up, and he's more of the guy that is on the field most of the time. I think he's grown a lot in terms of understanding his responsibility when the ball is in his hand."