Herbert Has Big Shoes to Fill
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
For the last 14 years, there was only one quarterback under center for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. When Philip Rivers decided to take his talents to the Indianapolis Colts for the 2020 season, he left behind a slew of records with the team that has lightning bolts on their helmets. It includes 59,271 passing yards (more than 65% completion rate) and 397 touchdowns. Rivers played in all 16 games from 2006 through 2019, a remarkable 14 straight years. Drafted in 2004, Rivers appeared in only 2 games his first two years and then became the face of the franchise. Last year, the organization decided to move in another direction as they drafted Justin Herbert with the 6th overall pick ending the days of Rivers who decided to sign a 1-year deal with the Colts for an estimated $25 million dollars. When Herbert and the Chargers hosted the 0-9 New York Jets last Sunday, he showed why the organization made the right choice in moving on from Rivers.
Herbert finished his day completing 37 of 49 passes, 366 yards and 3 touchdowns in the 34-28 win. San Diego was forced to punt after 8 plays the first time they touched the ball. The Jets special team then blocked the punt (Henry Anderson) leading to a La’Mical Perine 5-yard touchdown run 4 plays later. Said Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn of the blocked punt, “I’ll be real quick about the blocked punt. The young man (Kelley) did not block his man, ok. He got beat and he got beat bad.” Sam Ficken missed the extra point as It was the only time Gang Green would have a lead. New York had a chance to expand their lead as the defense forced a fumble. Herbert completes a pass to Keenan Allen who is hit by safety Marcus Mayes and Ashtyn Davis who then has the presence of mind to recover the fumble. On the very next play, Jets quarterback Joe Flacco looks for Jamison Crowder in the right flat only to see Tevaughn Campbell jump in front and returns the interception for the 6-yard touchdown. For the second time this season, Flacco throws a costly pick. “The interception I threw was really bad,” Flacco acknowledged after the game. “I threw it way behind Crowder. I didn’t get my hips out there. At best, we should have had probably a completion. I think that obviously hurt us.”
The next two times Herbert had the ball resulted in touchdowns. The first time he used only 5 plays as he finds Mike Williams for the 39-yard touchdown pass and the second 7 plays connecting with Hunter Henry for the 2-yard touchdown pass. Said Herbert, ”I think we had a great plan going into the week and we went out there and executed.”
The third quarter saw the Chargers extend the lead (31-13) after a 12-play 75-yard drive (Herbert to Allen 13-yard touchdown pass) and then watched as Flacco drove the Jets 60 yards in 10 plays reducing the lead to 31-19. Ficken missing his second extra point. San Diego adds a field goal and the Jets showed they would not go down easy getting within 8 (34-26) when Flacco finds Chris Herndon for the 6-yard touchdown pass after the 9 play, 64-yard drive.
The damage had already been done by Herbert. It was the seventh time he threw more than two touchdowns. It was also his fifth time throwing for more than 300 yards in his rookie season. The Oregon Duck star was named the 2020 Rose Bowl MVP getting the attention of the Chargers. Looks like they made the right choice as filling the shoes of the popular Rivers would be difficult for any incoming quarterback.
