EL SEGUNDO — When he stands behind the line of scrimmage during practice, when he stalks the sideline during games and when he watches and re-watches the game film, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Tuesday he sees “artistry” from quarterback Justin Herbert. Harbaugh referred to Herbert as “an artist.”
For example, Harbaugh said Herbert’s pass to wide receiver Ladd McConkey for a two-point conversion, rolling to his right to avoid pressure from the Las Vegas Raiders during Sunday’s game, was a more difficult throw than Joe Montana’s legendary touchdown pass to Dwight Clark in the 1981 NFC championship game.
Comparisons to “The Catch” will invariably raise eyebrows and objections from anyone old enough to remember the game-winning throw and catch that sent the San Francisco 49ers past the Dallas Cowboys and into the Super Bowl. But the plays were similar, if significantly different in their importance.
The 49ers’ victory, with Vin Scully on the call for CBS, ended one dynasty and started another.
Herbert’s throw merely propelled the Chargers into a better playoff seeding.
Well, actually, it gave the Chargers a 17-10 lead en route to a 34-20 victory over the last-place Raiders.
“The throw to Ladd on the two-point play, the degree of difficulty, it was a higher degree than Montana to Dwight Clark on ‘The Catch,’” said Harbaugh, who is preparing his team for Saturday’s playoff opener against the Houston Texans. “When you see where he let the ball go, it was right there. Put it on a dime. Put it into a six-inch window in stride with Ladd running across. It’s artistry.
“It’s incredible what Justin’s capable of doing.”
Herbert wasn’t buying Harbaugh’s hyperbole when relayed his comments later in the day.
“I don’t know if I would agree with that,” Herbert said of comparisons to Montana’s toss to Clark.
As is his custom, Herbert credited his teammate for making the play click.
“Ladd was the one who made the great play because he comes from all the way across the field and is able to beat that man coverage,” Herbert said. “To be able to have a guy like that in the end zone, to know exactly where he needs to be, I felt that was a pretty good play by him.”
Plus, Herbert had a clear view of McConkey’s run through the back of the end zone.
Montana had Ed “Too Tall” Jones, all 6-foot-9 of him, bearing down on him.
“Yeah, I had good vision on the play,” said Herbert, who stands a very tall 6-6.
Herbert acknowledged hearing some of Harbaugh’s over-the-top praise of his play from time to time. When it happens, it often happens while the team is watching film of past games during meetings after or before practices. It’s nice to hear, according to Herbert, but it’s nothing he takes very seriously.
“I usually say, ‘thank you,’ and we move on,” Herbert said.
EXTRA POINTS
The Chargers signed veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott to the practice squad, hoping they can get the 29-year-old up to speed in a hurry. Elliott, who has more than 9,000 career rushing yards, played 15 games with the Cowboys this season, starting two, before they waived him. He rushed for 226 yards and three touchdowns on 74 carries. …
Running back Gus Edwards also was expected to practice this week after sitting out the final two regular-season games because of an ankle injury. Edwards replaced J.K. Dobbins for four games while Dobbins was on injured reserve because of a knee injury. Dobbins then replaced Edwards. …
Harbaugh said the MRI exam on left tackle Rashawn Slater’s knee came back clean and he was expected to practice and play this week. Slater sat out Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Raiders after experiencing discomfort during his pregame stretching routine. …
The Chargers opened the 21-day window for wide receiver Simi Fehoko’s return to the active roster from injured reserve. He injured his elbow during the Chargers’ 27-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Nov. 3. He would give the Chargers added depth at wide receiver for the playoffs.