Sez Me …
“Should I Stay Or Should I Go?” — The Clash
In Justin Herbert’s case, it can’t be the dreaded San Diego Curse. He never had a chance to experience the whammy firsthand. It’s the second act — the Fredo Spanos Curse — which is a pox on the house Justin moved into.
The NFL Team That Used To Be Here has had quarterbacks with Hall of Fame creds.
Johnny Unitas was as great as anyone who ever played — but with another team. He had the fork in him here upon arrival.
Dan Fouts is a Hall of Famer, the pilot of Air Coryell.
Philip Rivers was a terrific player and made himself available for every stinking game and interview of his career. It won’t be easy for him to enter the Hall, although he will have a chance if voters realize he’s better than many QBs already in there. My guess he’d be a sure thing had he played somewhere else and won a title.
Drew Brees gave way to Rivers and went on to win a Super Bowl for New Orleans and throw for more than 500 touchdowns.
The problem with these quarterbacks? Not one of them won a thing with the Judases/L.A. Lodgers. Not one even so much as competed in a Super Bowl for them. Not one even got there when favored, with home field advantage.
Which brings us to Herbert, who is more gifted than all of them — except when Unitas was a Colt.
I’m starting to think that, even with Jim Harbaugh as his coach, Justin may never get a ring. He signed a huge deal in 2023 that will expire in 2029, but how much longer will he stick it out? The only people not seeking a trade these days are of the Swiss Guard.
Herbert’s too good to be losing to teams such as the Cardinals.
Monday night in Arizona was the perfect example. Herbert was playing with receivers who would have had a whole lot of trouble making other NFL rosters, and Fredo’s Judases got beat. Five Cameron Dicker The Kicker field goals. Justin’s offense now has gone six straight quarters without scoring a touchdown.
But, despite his neophyte receiving corps, he still had a historic performance, throwing for 349 yards and posting a 97.1 er rating. Prior to this, no QB in NFL history had ed for that many yards, with that high a rating, without scoring an offensive touchdown in a loss.
Justin’s making in excess of $50 million per year. He hasn’t entered his prime. He may be far too loyal to demand freedom from the cursed House of Spanos. But one day, he may ask himself: “I’m making a fortune and not having anywhere near enough fun. I have to get out.”
He should give it serious thought. He should plan on it.
It’s always something, including, of course, bad luck. He can’t fight injuries, nor can he help when the salary cap is bloated and the J’s have to rid himself of his two best — and experienced — wideouts.
There’s the Harbaugh Factor and I think Jim is one of the better coaches and among the very best at creating a culture. But Jim’s an old quarterback who came within a finger of reaching the Super Bowl. He’s won and resurrected programs everywhere he’s been, so he knows the difference between playing a team to a title than coaching one to it.
I don’t even believe it would be unselfish for Herbert to one day demand a trade.
You don’t play games just to win. You play to win titles. And when you don’t, the quarterback always is at fault.
If Herbert is with the J’s as long as a few of his skilled predecessors, he may grow tired of being at fault and playing road games at home in a city that really doesn’t give a damn.
There’s no simple cure for The Spanos Curse and Chargering. Except leaving. …
Jerod Mayo called his Patriots “soft” after falling to the Jags at Jax’s home game in London, Fla. That’s maybe the worst thing a coach can say about his team, which is supposed to reflect him. But mayo is soft. …
“I always felt that, when the team played bad, that was my responsibility.” — Bill Belichick …
After years of research, scientists finally discovered that the earliest any human has spoken after birth is 36 hours. Congratulations, Cris Collinsworth. …
Mike Tomlin on his decision to start Russell Wilson: “That’s why I’m well compensated. Thank you.” Mike has had great success in Pittsburgh, but I enjoy his style over his style of play. …
Aaron Rodgers was caught on camera eating boogers. Apparently still trying to be like Moses and clean out stuff he picked up leaving Egypt. …
Aaron also says “you guys,” meaning the media, are part of the Jets’ problem. Guess the Green Bay reporters weren’t as rough on him. …
Will “behind the sticks” still be a part of football’s lexicon when there are no more sticks? …
Lincoln Riley has a $90-million buyout. The biggest at USC since John Wayne was Marion Morrison. …
Texas football fans became so frustrated with a questionable (of course) interference call during the Horns’ miserable effort vs. Georgia that they threw objects onto the field. It was so bad school officials had to get Dave Roberts on Zoom to calm them down. …
Anthony Edwards says he will play pro football if he wins an NBA title in the next three or four years. Even in an election year that’s a massive crock. …
The Liberty won the WNBA title. More importantly, it’s the first time I’ve seen Spike Lee celebrate anything. …
All the controversy over whether that was a real foul against the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart. Did anyone notice her blatant uncalled traveling prior to that? One more step and she hits the board on the long jump. …
Pretty sure the last — and only — time I rooted for the Yankees they played the Dodgers. If L.A. played the Huns? Go Huns! …
Gerrit Cole threw 88 pitches in the opener and was very good before being pulled. Managers have to mismanage or they’re just not happy. …
Did anyone check Freddie Freeman’s stats vs. lefties with the bases loaded? Guess not. Phenomenal. …
Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball auctioned for $4.392 million. Just think if it was for something nobody had done before. …
RIP, Fernando Valenzuela. Should be a Hall of Famer. When he pitched, it was an event. …
Pat Mahomes Sr. has begun his sentence for a DUI. Amazingly, the Chiefs refuse to add him to their list of lawbreakers. Ran out of ink? …
I’m schooled enough in World War II Europe (105,000 American soldiers didn’t come home) to know Adolf Hitler’s generals did not like him. I also know our generals beat them. …
Is “unhoused” really more politically correct than “homeless?” …
Arnold Palmer was a great golfer.
