World News – US – Justin Herbert’s rapid rise reminds us that evaluating the QB prospect is utterly pointless

If I were to compile a list of the quarterbacks I’d most like to build around, Justin Herbert could crack the top. five. I’m saying this now, but four months ago I thought the guy was rightly bad at football.

My point is, I’m an idiot. But I am not alone. When it comes to evaluating quarterback prospects, we’re all idiots. Everyone is bad at it. NFL teams are no better than your random draft analyst on Twitter. And that’s no shame. We’re bad at rating quarterbacks like people are bad at playing the lottery. It’s just an impossible task, and I don’t think any player shows that frustrating fact more than Herbert.

Don’t get me wrong, we saw what Herbert became with the chargers during his time in Oregon. They were really hard to find. Examples of it being thrown late and generally inaccurate weren’t that hard to find. Neither were statistics like this . . .

The only statistic that would scare me when considering a design for Justin Herbert or Jordan Love is this …

Even when Herbert was confident of what he saw and got the ball out on time, he was missing throws …

The more worrying problem, however, was his lack of resolve, which led to sacking or belated assault.

Or, in this case, it just throws itself right at a receiver that has opened wide for easy landing.

Fast forward a year and any issues that were on his tape are gone. We still see all the ridiculous demonstrations of arm talent, but now every litter comes out on time. An overwhelming majority of them are there too. The game just looks easier to him, and his numbers confirm it – even though he’s now playing professional football on a Chargers team that isn’t exactly talented.

So Herbert was more accurate, he didn’t put the ball in danger and he was just as efficient. He’s also been making litters consistently since he went missing a year ago.

Why was Herbert so much better when he was playing in a seemingly more difficult situation? I am not sure I have an answer. Oregon’s coaching staff didn’t do much to show him off for pro scouts, but the offense wasn’t terrible – and all of those mistakes were still Herbert’s fault. At the same time, it’s not that I watch the chargers go away and see next level game calls that would increase a mediocre QB. Herbert is really that good.

So I think the answer is probably: He has improved more and much sooner than was ever suggested on his tape. Even the most ardent Herbert fanatic didn’t expect to be so good so quickly.

As Justin Herbert’s homer and realist, he has exceeded my expectations so far. Still a rookie mistake or two, but otherwise much better. His pocket movement was great with pressure on him

Its critics – including yours really – were skeptical that he would ever get it together. And there is a good reason for that. We, as football watchers, have spent the past decade mocking decision makers for routinely falling in love with big rocket-arm quarterbacks and overwhelming college production – the so-called « raw » prospects.

Well now these raw prospects are hitting a lot faster. Patrick Mahomes was considered raw until he won an MVP in his first full season. Josh Allen was still labeled raw last year and is on the sidelines of MVP competition for his third year. Herbert already looks like a franchise quarterback. In the meantime, the “Pro-Ready” prospects found it much more difficult to gain a foothold in the league.

Perhaps playing quarterback isn’t as mentally taxing as it used to be, as the NFL introduces more common concepts each year. Trainers like Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan are able to develop open recipients, and a QB is less mentally stressed – meaning physical talent is most important. These « pro-ready » perspectives, which compensate for physical limitations with a stronger mental approach to the game, are nowhere near as useful as they used to be.

Or maybe this is all random and we are all wasting our time making sense of it.

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After injuring Derek Carr during Thursday night’s game against the Chargers, Raiders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota made his debut for the team and made serious extra money losing overtime.

The 27-year-old became the first player to finish the game since « at least » 1948 to come off the bench and record at least 200 yards and a touchdown in the air while running at least 50 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

This accomplishment may bring Mariota more opportunities with Las Vegas. But immediately due to the nature of. . .

In case you’ve forgotten, the Raiders are calling Las Vegas this season. You are no longer the Oakland Raiders after living in this city for the past 24 years.

Apparently the team’s head coach, Jon Gruden, is a little confused because he’s wearing an Oakland Raiders hat on the sidelines during today’s home game (in Las Vegas) against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Why is he doing this? I honestly have no idea and they didn’t say anything on the Fox show. I have to believe that Gruden has just taken an old hat off of what he has. . .

The Los Angeles Chargers are on their way to face the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Thursday night.

The Chargers come into this game and lose five of their last seven games. They have game and watch management issues but they have Justin Herbert at their center who can make games if he has to. Meanwhile, the Raiders are in a must-win situation tonight if they are to make the playoffs. Jon Gruden will have his team ready to play and expect them to come out strong at the start of the game.

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Los Angeles Chargers, Anthony Lynn, Justin Herbert, NFL, Head Coach