HE’S ALL THAT SAM SHOULD BE
Herbert gives Bolts a jolt of hope as Darnold continues to struggle
Justin Herbert has provided hope in what is fast becoming a lost season for the 2-7 Chargers. He is exactly what the team that drafted him believed when they grabbed him with the No. 6 pick in this year’s draft. Herbert is everything that Sam Darnold should be.
However, the pair of young quarterbacks were dealt decidedly different hands. Darnold is wondering what could have been if his team actually made smart choices to help him. Herbert is thriving.
“If he keeps preparing the way he prepares to play with his skillset,” said Chargers head coach Anthony
Lynn of Herbert,
“This young man’s going to be a franchise quarterback for a long time. And he will win championships.”
Coaches try to be bullish on their young quarterbacks, but Lynn’s words are rare. How often does a coach declare that a quarterback halfway through his rookie campaign will ultimately hoist multiple Lombardi Trophies?
It speaks volumes about Herbert. Isn’t that what the Jets thought would happen with Darnold once upon a time?
Herbert has hit the ground running since being thrown into the fire moments before the second game the season against the Chiefs when Tyrod Taylor suffered a rib injury in pre-game warmups. A subsequent medical mishap (a team doctor punctured Taylor’s lung when giving a pain injection) paved the way paved the way for Herbert.
And he hasn’t looked back.
The rookie has thrown for 2,333 yards with 22 total touchdowns (19 passing, three rushing) and six interceptions in his first eight starts. Herbert, who is fourth in the league with 291.6 passing yards per game, has the same number of 300-yard games in the first half of his rookie season (four) as Darnold has in 32 career games.
Herbert only has thrown multiple interceptions in one game this season. The strange offseason hasn’t impacted him one bit.
“He’s been doing some really good things,” Lynn said. “When he came in unexpectedly… I think that’s been handled very well by him. It speaks volumes about his maturity, his work ethic, his football intelligence and what he can handle. This young man is learning our offense every week. We’re putting more on his plate and he’s having to deal with that. At the same time, (he) goes out and executes at a high level. I love the way he’s handled the situation.”
Herbert ranks in the Top 10 in passer rating (102.8) and yards per attempt (7.8). Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen has done far more for Herbert in the first half of his first season than Adam Gase has done for Darnold in a year-and-a half.
Herbert is surrounded by offensive threats.
Darnold, who will miss the fourth
game of the season with a shoulder injury, has the worst supporting cast for any young quarterback in the league. He has “a good shot” to return next week, according to Gase.
It’s amazing how much teaching and personnel can help a young signal caller.
Herbert has barely scratched the surface of his potential.
“We did a lot of homework on him,” Lynn said. “We knew his skillset was really special. You’re seeing the throws that he’s making. So that doesn’t surprise me. I saw him make those throws before. But his ability to take what we’re doing in practice to the field (on game days) … that was better than I thought initially. So, we were able to put more on his plate than I initially thought we would be able to once he became the guy. That’s a credit to him and his preparation.”
BALLAGE FINDS A HOME
Jets castoff running back Kalen Ballage has played a significant role the past couple weeks for Los Angeles. The Jets traded for Ballage before the season, but the deal was nixed due to a failed physical. Gang Green ultimately picked him up after the Dolphins waived him, but cut him after he mixed blitz pickups in a Week 4 loss to Denver.
Ballage has rushed for 137 yards on 33 carries and a touchdown along with seven receptions for 49 yards in games with the Chargers.
“He’s a big man that can run a little bit,” Lynn said. “Pretty good instincts and vision. He kind of got thrown into the fire because of injuries. He answered the call. He stepped up. He’s made some tough yards. And he’s definitely helped that rushing attack. He’s a very important part of our offense right now. We’re glad we have him.”
NOTES
Backup offensive lineman Conor McDermott signed a one-year extension. The Jets skipped over McDermott after tackle Chuma Edoga was injured early in a Week 4 loss to the Broncos. Gase opted to play Mekhi Becton four days after he hurt his shoulder. McDermott, who has logged offensive snaps in four games this season, was finally inserted into the game after Becton aggravated his injury. ... Adam Gase is hopeful that cornerback Bless Austin, who is officially questionable, will play after he had a “positive MRI result” on his neck. ... Kicker Sam Ficken (groin) is questionable. ... The Chargers aren’t in any position to take anything for granted even if they are facing the only winless team in the league. “It’s hard to overlook somebody when you’re 2-7,” Lynn said. “This team is coming off a bye. They’re fresh. They’re healthier than they been. They got their receivers back…. They’ve been in some close games like us and lost. So, we know this team is better than their record just like we feel we’re better than our record. But at the end of the day, you are what your record says you are…. We know we can’t overlook this team at all.”