Another 1 PM kickoff. As of this writing, it's not clear if Justin Herbert will start tomorrow. Honestly, I'm fine either way. I thought he should have sat after he hurt his ankle during the game, especially since we were up by enough that a backup could come in to hand off the ball. However, I assume he felt pretty good at the time and I do truly trust this staff to make the right decision. As Herbert himself said on Friday, there is an inherent risk in everything about playing football. I don't think the Chargers are taking the Steelers lightly or looking ahead to the Chiefs. It's clear Harbaugh has a lot of respect for Pittsburgh. I don't think he's blowing smoke up the team's ass when he says tomorrow will be a true test. But I also know it's a long season and that Harbaugh is also sincere when he says that Justin Herbert is the greatest asset we have. As he pointed out, if you don't like him then there's something wrong with you.
Chiefs or not, division games are more important. If Herbert can go, which it sounds like he can, then he'll opt to. But we need him for as many (and the most important) games as we can this season. Last week was a strange game in that I'm not used to us being up by so many points. The fact that it's been twelve seasons since we started 2-0 is interesting, though we all knew in 2012 that we weren't that good.
Another reason it's been so long since we won the first two games of the season is that we are so used to Norv, McCoy, Lynn, and Staley allowing the team to choke away winnable games. How many years did we drop a game we should have won against a team we should have beaten only to come up short of the playoffs in the end? I know, FAITHFUL READER, I don't need to remind you.
The only thing Minter hasn't been able to do this season is keep Junior Colson healthy. That's been the biggest difference I've noticed thus far with this team. The tackling has been really solid and I don't see that same senseless panic from the defense that I'm so used to. 3rd down doesn't appear to scare them. Guys are wrapping up and putting players on the turf.
I mean this was taken yesterday. I don't know if he'll play and I know he limped away after presser, but he was laughing while talking to reporters. I think Daniel Popper has done a great job as the beat reporter, by the way. Unfortunately, he also has to drive engagement to The Athletic so he needs to constantly ask questions about injury status. He does need to understand that Harbaugh has his own way of doing things and it commands respect. I know some people think Popper has been trying to create stories where there are none. I don't think that's the case but Harbaugh is clearly getting tired of the questions. I think we are in good hands so I won't let myself go down the usual dark paths.
Last week was a complete ass kicking. It was quite a treat to watch.
I know we aren't going 17-0. Plus the last team to do that lost to Eli Manning in the Super Bowl (twice). I don't know when the last time we started 3-0 was, but I assume it was 1994. That would mean something, just as playing in Pittsburgh tomorrow means something.
Oh to be young, dumb, and full of come (Point Break). More accurately, to be fat, drunk and stupid. I won't insult you by telling you what movie that comes from.
That's all for now. When I feel pretty good about the Chargers, there seems to be less to say. Of course, I've written a lot over the last 40 years. I guess that says it all. Maybe it's the year to change all that.
BTFU
JIC,
RLW
Comments