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EL SEGUNDO — So perhaps the detractors had a point after observing Justin Herbert’s poor four-interception performance against the Houston Texans last weekend in the AFC wild-card matchup. Does this imply you are beginning to question his abilities? Could it be that he is actually overrated.
Don’t claim you’re uninformed, just acknowledge your unfamiliarity.
Shall I clarify? I merely believe the Chargers may not have that essential player at quarterback.
Well, I think all of his colleagues consider otherwise.
You’re merely stating, “He’s never won a playoff match.”
Forget the franchise’s prior conditions or the coaching changes he has navigated throughout his five NFL seasons. This includes four offensive coordinators. Forget that he has endured numerous injuries. And disregard that he participated in only two playoff games, pointing out that he was defeated in both?
Indeed, just like Lamar Jackson lost his first two playoff appearances. Similar to Peyton Manning did. (Hold on, Manning lost his first three games.) So, yeah, alright, it’s completely finished. Herbert is not the one.
Look, we all hold the right to our perspectives. However, if you have convinced yourself that Herbert will never be recognized as a winner, that he will indefinitely remain out of the playoffs and will never even reach the Super Bowl, then my viewpoint is that it suggests you would. I feel foolish afterward. Perhaps even sooner.
Herbert is far too skilled, too athletic, too intelligent, too dedicated and too esteemed by his peers to fail.
And he possesses such resilience that even hearing Jim Harbaugh’s remarks makes one wince.
“He’s the complete opposite of a houseplant,” commented the head coach. “He’s like corn. Just as corn doesn’t need to be addressed in a particular manner, it doesn’t require ideal conditions such as sunlight, shade, moisture, soil quality, etc. We excavate a hole to uncover it, stand up and commence production.”
I discovered today that the corn in the fields is utilized as livestock feed and processed into ethanol. Because sweet corn is what I enjoy when grilling on weekends.
What I was already aware of: Herbert is remarkably faithful and low-maintenance, which positions Harbaugh in a tough spot. And while Herbert will be collaborating with the same offensive coordinator for consecutive seasons for the second time in his tenure, the stability is appreciated, even if Greg Roman’s play-calling remains unsatisfactory.
Yes, the Texans yanked the rug out from under the Chargers’ 32-12 defeat on Saturday. It was the kind of shocking loss that makes one feel as though they should be drafting a complaint letter to the network about the Chargers being pulled from the air so promptly, before you even had the chance to complete the narrative.
“We were as proficient as the top teams in the playoffs,” asserted Harbaugh. “Not just as competent as any team, but as capable as the very best teams in the playoffs.”
“We did him a disservice and didn’t position him for success,” Harbaugh stated regarding the 6-foot-6, 26-year-old quarterback, as the Texans concentrated their efforts on Herbert’s offense. They pressured him on 50% of his dropbacks, sacked him four times and forced more interceptions from him than he threw in 17 regular season games.
If we aim to position Herbert more favorably for these crucial moments, we must provide him with improved and additional choices. They need to equip him with more playmakers than Rad McConkie, who established an NFL rookie record with 197 receiving yards on nine catches in the Chargers’ loss to Houston. No Chargers receiver excelled in this matchup. 14 yards.
I noticed Harbaugh and Hortis tackle Wednesday’s 45-minute postseason media session with the Bolts with an optimism unknown to man. “We don’t know if it’s feasible to bring everyone back, but we want to draw as close as possible,” the coach remarked.
However, I also believe they are acutely aware that Herbert requires assistance.
They recognize he was directing an offense featuring McConkey and Ort alongside Rashawn Slater this season, yet apart from that, not much else is recognized. And despite being dismissed, Herbert continued to excel, leading the Chargers to an 11-6 record and second place in the AFC West, achieving the highest passer rating (101.7) and fewest interceptions (three) in his professional career. more times (41) than in any prior season.
Hortis, who experienced considerable success in last season’s draft, mentioned that the Chargers have already set up their preliminary draft board. He also possesses significantly more salary cap flexibility than he did upon his arrival last year, inheriting a team that was well above that amount.
He refrained from detailing what types of weapons the Chargers might seek – his diplomatic stance is essentially all of them! – But Harbaugh broadened the scope from “competitor welcome” to “playmaker welcome.”
And Harbaugh intensified his belief in Herbert by a factor of 4, 5, and 10.
“I don’t wish to spend another two seconds contemplating what occurred in that match,” Harbaugh stated. “It didn’t pan out, that’s on me. That’s my duty, my accountability…There’s no one in this entire organization who has poured as much blood, sweat, and tears as Justin Herbert, No one has contributed more and delivered more for the organization.”
Of course, that’s his perspective. He has his standpoint and you possess yours.
First published: January 15, 2025 at 6:05 PM PST