Jim Harbaugh defends Justin Herbert after Quentin Lake’s ‘deli meat’ jab
After the Chargers’ 24-9 loss to the Rams, Harbaugh praised Herbert’s performance while acknowledging two throws he would want back. Herbert said he had not heard Lake’s remarks.
Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh defended quarterback Justin Herbert on Wednesday, Nov. 4, after Rams safety Quentin Lake mocked Herbert’s throws in their Week 8 game, ESPN reported. The Rams won 24-9, and Lake intercepted Herbert once. Harbaugh said Lake’s assessment was not what he saw from Herbert, who threw two interceptions in the loss.
Lake made the remarks while discussing the matchup on an episode of the St. Brown Podcast published Wednesday. “I mean he was throwing deli meat out there. He’s seeing ghosts,” Lake said, according to ESPN. The podcast is co-hosted by Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and his brother Equanimeous St. Brown. ESPN reported that Lake laughed as he recalled facing Herbert.
Asked about Lake’s comments, Harbaugh said, “Everybody’s entitled to their opinion. It’s not what I see.” He said Herbert “did his job exceptionally well” against the Rams, while acknowledging there were “two throws he would have liked to have back.” Herbert said he had not heard or looked into Lake’s comments and could not comment on them, ESPN reported. Rams Wire also reported Herbert’s response: he said the team was focused on its work and preparing for Sunday.
Herbert’s interceptions and the Chargers’ scoring slump
Herbert threw for 257 yards against the Rams, Rams Wire reported. The Chargers did not score a touchdown, their second consecutive game without one, ESPN reported. The loss left the team 0-7, according to ESPN. The yardage and score show a game in which Herbert moved the ball without producing a touchdown, while his two interceptions included one caught by Lake.
ESPN reported that Herbert had thrown 10 interceptions in seven games, the most in the NFL at the time, and had a QBR of 32.6, ranked last. The Chargers were averaging 14.1 points per game, also last in the league, and had 2,018 total yards, second fewest. Those season figures put the Rams game in the context of a broader offensive struggle; Harbaugh’s praise addressed Herbert’s performance in that particular loss.
Harbaugh continues to back offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel
Harbaugh has also continued to defend offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, ESPN reported. McDaniel joined the Chargers after being fired by the Miami Dolphins. The team’s scoring and yardage rankings provide context for the pressure on its offense, while Harbaugh has publicly stood by McDaniel and praised Herbert’s work against the Rams, despite acknowledging the two interceptions he would have wanted back.
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Sources and context
- Harbaugh on Rams DB's 'deli meat' comment on Herbert: 'It's not what I see'ESPN
- Justin Herbert, Jim Harbaugh respond to Quentin Lake's shot at Chargers QBRams Wire (republished by Yahoo Sports)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.