Onward And Hopefully Upward

Looks like we did a pretty decent job with the draft, huh? I worried that Hortiz and Harbaugh put too much pressure on themselves to hit on all their picks this year. Besides Becton, we didn't exactly attack free agency. Hortiz just mentioned on Pat McAfee that he wanted to sign Becton before he went to the Eagles. Like you, FAITHFUL READER, I worry about the interior offensive line. I saw Herb get the shit kicked out of him in Houston too. But I also saw him literally throwing to this receiver group:

Besides a series of delivery drivers, we upgraded before the draft to this:

I don't know what is with that picture of Ladd, either. But adding two receivers last weekend isn't a bad thing. If we had drafted Hampton and more linemen, I think the criticism would be leveled that Harbaugh and Roman are living in the past. The game has changed, people would say, and these guys are trying to win with what worked a decade ago.

I don't know if we've upgraded enough this year. I get the idea that the new regime can't get it all done in one year. But I also want to see this team win one ring...one day

The team just announced they aren't picking up Zion Johnson's fifth year option. That's not a shock. I don't think he's good enough to be our center, but that goes without saying. The only centers we've had recently that seemed good enough, Pouncey and Linsley, were often injured. That's the reason they were available as free agents to begin with. I know it's not realistic that all our draft picks will be successes, but it is light years away from the Telesco picks. It seemed like once you got past the first two rounds, they were just throwing picks away.

At the time we picked at #22, I was convinced that we should draft Matthew Golden. This isn't based on any actual knowledge, mind you. I just wanted to make sure we got Herbert some weapons. But after adding two receivers, I feel pretty good about the pick. If Hampton is as good as they think, the decision not to take Golden won't matter very much. I have no idea if the WR from Texas is even that good. Like everyone else, I knew passing on Zay Flowers seemed iffy. No one thought Quentin Johnston should be picked that high, though some "experts" were raving at what a weapon we got in him before the season started.

Of course, it wasn't just about passing on Flowers. We didn't take LaPorta, Kincaid and a bunch of other better players I am probably not thinking of. Looking back, Johnston having that great game in Vegas was the worst fool's gold. I don't know what Harbaugh's plans for him are, but "competitors welcome" will hopefully allow us to be rid of him sooner rather than later. After the playoff game, there is no way to trust him ever again. If Herbert doesn't have to throw 50/50 balls to him we'll all be better for it. To watch Herb throw a ball down the sideline while Johnston pirouettes around is something I'd love to never see again.

As for the center position specifically, it's not important what Harbaugh and Hortiz say behind the podium. They will always talk up their guys. They don't call out players publicly, but they do seem to stick to their pledge to put guys on the field who produce. Bozeman may be a good locker room guy, but obviously he's an enormous liability on the field. I don't disagree the IOL needs help, but I will try to focus on the positive. I know, it's not my usual stance.

Once we know the schedule on May 14, we'll talk again. I think this playoff loss might have hurt more than the 2023 one, but I know I say that after every one. The Chargers have taken a step back after every playoff loss since 2007. If we are truly building something, this year will be a huge test. The schedule is harder, for sure.

Until then, keep the faith.

JIC,

RLW

PS Warren Zevon is finally in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.