Sez Me …
As we sit through a bye week, it’s become clear much of the smoke aimed at The NFL Team That Used To Be Here was blown away by Ravens flapping their wings in Baltimore.
True, it was but one game (the other loss, to Dallas, in which they had two TDs called back, was a win gone bad). However this time, the Judases, aka L.A. Lodgers, went to Baltimore and were frightened into submission, totally Edgar Allan Poed.
They scored six points. Again, I never tire of bending the Smokey Gaines quote: “Six more than a dead man.”
After that pathetic performance, it became obvious the J’s are not going to the Super Bowl, they will have trouble winning a division not as strong as so many thought, and may even need help from a team of sherpas to climb to the playoffs.
At least in their present form.
They have to get a whole lot better in the butcher shop, the meat department, up front — on the offensive line/defensive front seven — where games are won, and, six games into the season, it’s a bit late to correct.
With the trade deadline coming up Nov. 2, Mean Joe Greene and Anthony Muñoz aren’t walking through the door.
The O line had promise thanks to free agency, but right guard Oday Aboushi is out for the year and right tackle Bryan Bulaga is just out, as usual, and may be back for the holidays. Their replacements aren’t as good, which is why they aren’t starters.
Left tackle Rashawn Slater is one of the best players from the April draft, a Rookie of the Year candidate. And free agent All-Pro center Corey Linsley plays the part.
The front seven never figured to be the Steel Curtain, but injuries to tackle Daniel Jones and inside linebackers Kenneth Murray Jr. and Drue Tranquil have weakened the weak. The Browns exposed them on the ground, and the Ravens followed.
Remember, it’s a copycat league.
The six points probably were an aberration. Herbert was just off. But it doesn’t seem possible for this team to go far without a defense.
Why did the Bucs win the Super Bowl? It wasn’t just Tom Brady. They had the best front seven that got after the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, who was without his starting offensive tackles, that’s why. Can’t win that way.
The J’s special teams have been terrible for a decade (almost impossible). Their kicker, Tristan Vizcaino, is awful and yet he’s still there (five missed extra points?). They have posed no threat, but at least they seem to be trying, having signed receiver Andre Roberts, a kick returner of Pro Bowl caliber.
They have a few things going for them. Head coach Brandon Staley has a spine, but as a so-called defensive genius, he has to find a tourniquet for the running game bleeding. And, oh, the special teams.
The schedule is not unfavorable: Patriots at home, at Eagles, Vikings home, Steelers home, at Broncos, at Bengals, Giants home, Chiefs (beaten) home, at Texans, Broncos home, at Vegas (also beaten).
They can take all these guys. Thing is, they really have no home. A drawback.
And they have Herbert, one of the very best young quarterbacks. But he has to be on. They’re going to have to outscore people, as the 2020 Chiefs had to do, but the 2019 Chiefs didn’t.
Smokey Gaines gives us all we need to know about six points. ...
Larry David tells Rich Eisen that goal posts should be eliminated from football. Man, I love David, but, Larry, if you’ve been watching kickers, they already have been. ...
Did you get a load of the Bucks’ championship rings? I’m thinking that, in the unlikely event Fredo’s Judases ever win, his players will get cigar bands — and probably not Cubans. ...
Aaron Rodgers said it didn’t feel like it was the last time he walked off of Soldier Field. So maybe he’s going to the Bears? …
Rodgers informs Bears fans: “I own you.” He’s 22-5 vs. Chicago, so I guess he has purchased them. ...
Jerry Jones says Mike McCarthy does “extremely well” with game management decisions. Just as Sumo wrestlers do at pole vaulting. …
Trevon Diggs is being compared to Deion Sanders. Big difference between covering and intercepting. …
Derrick Henry’s freshman year at Alabama he rushed 35 times for 382 yards, and I remember saying he’s the best tailback in the country. I’m still saying it. A remarkable back. ...
I can’t believe the NFL will allow a Deshaun Watson trade to go through, but then, I forget, it is the NFL. Watson isn’t in trouble for kneeling. …
Football analysts: Please stop with “They really like him.” Remember when Sean McVay “really liked” Jared Goff? ...
Maybe Ron Washington isn’t being considered for Padres’ manager because he no longer works for the Rangers? …
Padres: Dusty Baker, a leader of men. ...
Ed Orgeron gets a $16.5 million platinum parachute. That’s it. Win a title, get mediocre, and go to jump school. ...
UNLV has a slot machine on the sideline to celebrate touchdowns and turnovers. Can’t win on that thing, either. ...
Stink O’ The Week Sezment: Robocall at 6 a.m. Now THAT’s unconstitutional. Communist plot. …
Stink II: Short-yardage runs out of the shotgun. Prevent Offense. …
A fan in Fenway revealed this: “I had a really good sign, but the Astros stole it.” Inspired. …
Agent/powerbroker Scott Boras is upset with MLB for not expanding playoff rosters. So they’ll be expanded. ...
Sharks forward Evander Kane has been suspended 21 games for submitting a counterfeit COVID vaccination card. If nothing else, he can run for governor next year. …
Question on Twitter: “What’s your favorite song about or relating to basketball?” Easy. A tie between “Travelin’ Man” and “I’m Walkin’.” …
Kentucky freshman point guard TyTy Washington has signed a deal with a Porsche dealership. Meanwhile, Aztecs footballers will get $180 apiece for showing at an event. Hey, we all eat at the same level table. …
Oklahoma is not OK. Kansas? …
In their dozens of 2-point overtime sessions, I expected either Penn State or Illinois to punt. ...
Facebook may change its name, but Mark Zuckerberg reportedly is ticked at Kanye West for already taking “Ye.” Thinking that, in 30 years, Kanye will change it again, to “Ye Olde West.”…
Some companies are said to be ending drug testing for potential hires. Does this mean clueless applicants will back off, demanding to be tested? …
The Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. claims he knows he’s immune to COVID because he’s had it twice. Just think how immune he’s going to be when he gets it a third time. …
Bill Center makes a great point: If MLB is going to openly promote gambling, why not allow Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame? I’ll add Shoeless Joe, who probably did nothing wrong. …
NFL TV ratings are up. Way up. New Jersey sports books wagering handle last month topped $1 billion. California? We just chase businesses. …
Peter Scolari, RIP. My, what a wonderful talent. ...
They’re developing a passenger aircraft that could reach 3,000 mph. Now that’s how I want to get to L.A. …
Records, not rules, are meant to be broken.
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Column: Lack of defense, special teams puts heavy load on Herbert's shoulders - The San Diego Union-Tribune
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