San Diego, CA

Tom Krasovic: Raiders need to pull a Chargers — lose often and luck into a star QB

Published

4 months ago

September 10, 2024

Press Room

Tom Krasovic: Raiders need to pull a Chargers — lose often and luck into a star QB

The Raiders’ offseason and preseason did not solve their near-chronic problems at quarterback.

Their best option?

Pull a Chargers.

That is, lose most of your games at a time when a potent QB class is heading toward the NFL draft.

Admittedly, it takes more than on-field ineptitude. Good luck is needed for the high draft slot to match with a worthy QB or enable a trade up for one.

The Raiders, whose blocking is also suspect, should be able to lose their way into a high draft slot. To add to their draft capital in pursuit of a QB, they could trade receiver Davante Adams later this season.

The next draft-eligible QB class contains interesting prospects. More on them below.

Gardner Minshew is the Raiders’ starting QB. He’s a good backup, but not a long-term starter.

Sunday’s game unraveled for the Raiders soon after Minshew lost his grip on the football with no one threatening him. The Chargers recovered the midgame, midfield, unforced fumble and went on to a 22-10 victory.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) runs against Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley (0), safety Alohi Gilman (32) and safety Derwin James Jr. during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The Chargers, in contrast, continued to live a charmed life at the NFL’s most important position.

Justin Herbert, their QB, has been no worse than a top-12 performer since the Chargers lost enough games to draft him as Philip Rivers’ replacement.

For two decades now, the Chargers have displayed a mysterious super-power of losing their way to a high draft slot at a fortuitous time to select QB.

Remember the league-worst season by their ‘03 team?

It handed the draft’s first pick to A.J. Smith, allowing him to choose among such bright QBs as Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning.

Goofing that up would’ve been difficult, and Smith, to his credit, made the most of the Chargers’ gift. Smith drafted Manning then traded him to the Giants for Rivers and draft picks that were used on kicker Nate Kaeding and linebacker Shawne Merriman.

The Chargers’ messing up and lucking out would continue. The final San Diego team, under-capitalized and ultimately demoralized, lost several close games.

The reward: a chance to draft Patrick Mahomes.

Tom Telesco and John Spanos passed on Mahomes despite the Chiefs fearing they’d stash him behind Philip Rivers, 35.

But whiffing on Mahomes didn’t consign the Chargers to QB oblivion.

Their super-power remained, dangling Herbert to them after the final Rivers-led team lost its way to the No. 6 draft pick. To their credit, Telesco and John Spanos took Herbert.

Drew Brees said it takes good luck for any QB to avoid injury.

How’s this for good luck: Chargers went more than 20 seasons without their franchise QB being unavailable to start a game until Herbert broke a finger late last season.

But these are the Chargers. Their QB luck was great, even when it appeared bad.

Herbert’s absence in effect netted the Chargers the No. 5 slot in a top-heavy draft year and opened the door to hiring coach Jim Harbaugh, a huge upgrade.

With Herbert sidelined, a few other teammates were held out. The Chargers suffered a franchise-worst 63-21 defeat to the Raiders, and the ensuing dismissal of overmatched coach Brandon Staley and Telesco ultimately brought in Harbaugh and former Ravens scout Joe Hortiz.

Harbaugh had played and coached with the Raiders. But they had no QB like Herbert, making the choice an easy one for Harbaugh, if there ever was a choice to be made.

The moral to this story: when it comes to QB luck, good luck keeping up with the Spanoses.

Backward then forward?

None of the 2025 draft-eligible QB prospects appear as promising as the Rivers-Manning-Roethlisberger trio — or Mahomes, Herbert and Joe Burrow.

Texas QB Quinn Ewers, 21, bears watching. Building upon a breakout season, he was impressive Saturday at Ann Arbor. A pair of 22-year-olds, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Georgia’s Carson Beck, could be attractive NFL prospects. Others could emerge.

The Raiders being the Raiders, they may have won too games for their own good last year. They got the 13th pick, only to see an NFL-record six QBs go in the first 12 slots.

Differentiating the franchises beyond QB luck, the Chargers have outdrafted the misfiring Raiders when choosing in the top-20 in recent decades.

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San Diego, CA

Mountain West men’s basketball power rankings: Utah State, San Diego State, Boise State lead the way

Published

21 minutes ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Mountain West men’s basketball power rankings: Utah State, San Diego State, Boise State lead the way

In what will be the biggest day of the Mountain West men’s basketball season to date, Saturday looms large for all six of the conference’s top contenders.

The action-packed day begins with New Mexico (13-3, 5-0) hosting San Diego State (10-3, 3-1) at 11 a.m. Mountain time. UNLV (9-6, 3-1) and Colorado State (9-6, 3-1) will meet in Fort Collins at 2 p.m. with Boise State (12-4, 4-1) and No. 25 Utah State (15-1, 5-0) closing the night at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

In the latest NCAA Tournament projection from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, the MWC remained a two-bid league with Utah State (seven seed) and San Diego State (eight seed) earning spots. New Mexico was listed among Lunardi’s first eight out.

Here is a look at our midseason Mountain West power rankings.

Last result: 85-78 win at San Jose State (Tuesday)

Season record: 15-1, 5-0

Analysis: Utah State finally cracked the AP top 25 in the latest poll. Other than a 75-73 loss to Big West-leading UC San Diego, the Aggies have been perfect this season under first-year head coach Jared Calhoun.

Up next: Saturday vs. Boise State, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network

Last result: 67-38 home win over Air Force (Wednesday)

Season record: 10-3, 3-1

Analysis: The Aztecs held a seven-point lead over Utah State with 90 seconds remaining before losing on a late Tucker Anderson 3-pointer. San Diego State has bounced back nicely with convincing wins over Boise State and Air Force.

Up next: Saturday at New Mexico, 11 a.m., CBS

Last result: 81-59 home win over UNLV (Tuesday)

Season record: 12-4, 4-1

Analysis: Boise State played arguably its best game of the season against UNLV, shutting down Dedan Thomas Jr. while getting strong offensive contributions from seven different players. When the Broncos’ offense is clicking, few MWC teams can match their firepower.

Up next: Saturday at Utah State, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network

Last result: 61-53 win at Wyoming (Tuesday)

Season record: 13-3, 5-0

Analysis: Despite a strong body of work, the Lobos sit way down at No. 67 in the NET Rankings. A victory over San Diego State would provide a major boost to New Mexico’s NCAA Tournament resume.

Up next: Saturday vs. San Diego State, 11 a.m., CBS

Last result: 91-64 home win over Fresno State (Tuesday)

Season record: 9-6, 3-1

Analysis: The Rams have feasted on the bottom of the conference with victories over winless Fresno State, Nevada and San Jose State. Senior swingman Nique Clifford remains one of the MWC’s top players and is averaging a double-double at 16.6 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

Up next: Saturday vs. UNLV, 2 p.m., Mountain West Network

Last result: 81-59 loss at Boise State (Tuesday)

Season record: 9-6, 3-1

Analysis: UNLV took a step back Tuesday in a non-competitive loss at Boise State. The Rebels have one of the conference’s best players in Dedan Thomas Jr., but the sophomore point guard needs more help.

Up next: Saturday at Colorado State, 2 p.m., Mountain West Network

Last result: 82-81 overtime loss at New Mexico (Jan. 4)

Season record: 8-7, 0-4

Analysis: It’s been a nightmare start to MWC play for the Wolf Pack, who have lost their four conference games by 11 combined points. With upcoming games against Fresno State, Air Force and San Jose State, Nevada has a chance to get its season back on track.

Up next: Saturday at Fresno State, 5 p.m., Mountain West Network

Last result: 61-53 home loss to New Mexico (Tuesday)

Season record: 9-7, 2-3

Analysis: The Cowboys were outscored 43-21 after halftime in Tuesday’s loss to New Mexico. Wyoming does hold a three-point win over Nevada, but the Cowboys are staring at a tough upcoming schedule with a home game against Colorado State sandwiched between road trips to Boise and Las Vegas.

Up next: Jan. 14 at Boise State, 7 p.m., Mountain West Network

Last result: 85-78 home loss to Utah State

Season record: 7-10, 0-5

Analysis: Unlike the MWC’s bottom two teams, the Spartans have been quite competitive this season with single-digit losses to New Mexico, Boise State, UNLV and Utah State. Senior guard Josh Uduj, a Utah State transfer, is averaging 16.8 points per game for San Jose State.

Up next: Saturday at Air Force, 1 p.m., Mountain West Network

Last result: 91-64 loss at Colorado State (Tuesday)

Season record: 4-12, 0-5

Analysis: The Bulldogs have dropped 10 of their last 11 games following a 3-2 start to the season. First-year head coach Vance Walberg has his work cut out for him.

Up next: Saturday host Nevada, 5 p.m., Mountain West Network

Last result: 67-38 loss at San Diego State (Tuesday)

Season record: 3-12, 0-4

Analysis: Air Force was the victim of a 44-4 scoring run during Tuesday’s loss. That is … not good.

Up next: Saturday vs. San Jose State, 1 p.m., Mountain West Network

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San Diego, CA

Annie Crowell Kuzminsky

Published

8 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Annie Crowell Kuzminsky

OBITUARY

Anne (Annie) Kuzminsky, beloved wife, mother, and sister passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 63.

Annie is survived by her husband Larry, her son Steven, her daughter Charlotte, her son Jack (Alex), her siblings Steven (Liz) Crowell of Houston, Texas; her brother Richard (Allison) Crowell of Pacific Palisades, California; her sister Karen (Gary) Wagner of Manhattan Beach, California; and her sister Catherine Crowell of Omaha, Nebraska.

Annie was born in Altadena, CA to James and Alice Crowell and grew up in San Mareno, CA. She attended college at Santa Clara University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Annie then moved to San Diego, CA where she met and married Larry Kuzminsky in 1989.

While residing in San Diego, Annie worked for several years with the accounting firm of KPMG and obtained her CPA. She next worked for First National Bank for several years before leaving to spend more time with her children and work part time for 20 years as a consultant for Madison Square Properties. Annie was not tempted by the corporate ladder and received satisfaction from her work relationships and doing her job well.

Annie loved being a mom and raising her three children. She helped out at the elementary school, and later enjoyed going to the many soccer games, baseball games, and track meets they participated in. Annie also loved animals. As a teenager she talked her parents into having a dog (Mitsy) and cats (Spido and Dido). More recently Annie enjoyed fostering kittens which inevitably led to the adoption of several of them. Aside from pets, one of her more memorable experiences was a safari trip to Africa.

Annie’s favorite place was the family house at Capistrano Beach. She had many fond memories of get togethers there with college, work and neighborhood friends. During family trips, she enjoyed watching the kids play, walking on the beach looking for glass, and seeing the beautiful sunsets. It was a great place to relax.

Annie had a great laugh and was one of a kind in the best way. Her moral compass was set to “true north” of caring and doing right. Annie was always her authentic self and her friends and family loved her for it. She was a realist but had a knack for looking on the bright side. That was her strength, but the cancer took all she had. She has earned her rest but will be greatly missed.

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San Diego, CA

Gonzaga’s Michael Ajayi ruled out vs. San Diego

Published

16 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Press Room

Gonzaga’s Michael Ajayi ruled out vs. San Diego

The Gonzaga men’s basketball team will be without two players for Wednesday night’s matchup against San Diego at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Michael Ajayi and Jun Seok Yeo were ruled out for the game against the Toreros due to illness, per the school.

Ajayi is coming off a 15-point outing in the Bulldogs’ 96-68 win over Loyola Marymount last Saturday. The 6-foot-7 senior is averaging 6.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Ajayi made 12 consecutive starts before coming off the bench against Portland and LMU.

Yeo, a 6-foot-8 junior, has appeared in eight games this season, averaging 3.9 minutes in those contests. He scored a season-high eight points in Gonzaga’s 113-54 victory over UMass-Lowell. Yeo also scored five points in just three minutes against Bucknell.

Gonzaga hopes to be fully healthy for an impending matchup against Washington State set for this Saturday at the Kennel (6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET).