Sometimes, people go a bit too hard on the big screamers on sports debate shows. Yes, they’re making outlandish points – that’s pretty much the sole reason people watch these damn shows.
On Thursday’s First Take, Stephen A Smith’s take on the Chargers-Chiefs Thursday Night Football matchup was…well, a bit dated. Smith told Max Kellerman and Tedy Bruschi that he was looking forward to the matchup of Chargers tight end Hunter Henry and Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson.
“Also looking at the San Diego Chargers on offense, I’m thinking about Hunter Henry and the way he’s played this year and as effective as he’s been. He’s going up against Derrick Johnson, and I’ve gotta keep my eyes on that.”
Okay, holy shit. There’s a lot to take away from that.
First off, the looks on Bruschi and Kellerman’s faces are amazing.
Second, they’ve been the Los Angeles Chargers for two years now. They’re not the San Diego Chargers anymore, dammit.
Third, Chargers tight end Hunter Henry tore his ACL during OTAs, has been on the PUP list all year, and has played a total of zero games this season. He did have 45 catches for 579 yards and four touchdowns last year, so good for him!
Fourth, Derrick Johnson did have a great career with the Chiefs, making four Pro Bowls during his 13 years with the team from 2005 through 2017. But his contract was voided by the team in February, and he signed as a free agent with the Raiders.
Fifth, the Raiders released Johnson in October.
But hey, aside from all that, this is a well-crafted, compelling segment on First Take. Great job, everyone!
As for Stephen A’s response, he claimed he was thinking of Virgil Green, not Henry.
My Brother, it’s called a MISTAKE because I was think of Virgil Green, but mentioned Hunter because I was multi-tasking. That’s what happens when you’re doing a thousand things. But I don’t blame you if you told me to “Stay Off The Weeeeeeedddddddd.!” That was a brain-lock moment https://t.co/hhFfUmbhiu
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 13, 2018
Green has 15 catches for 189 yards this year, and doesn’t have a catch since Week 11, but okay, cool! That also doesn’t explain the Johnson slip-up, but hey, whatever floats your boat.
