6A — BAKER CITY HERALD
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020
Justin Herbert could become
Ducks’ best pro QB in decades
■ Oregon rookie, pressed into starting duty unexpectedly, has been impressive
F
or the past two
games, the Los An-
geles Chargers have
had to rely on rookie signal
caller and Oregon Duck
alumnus Justin Herbert to
lead their offense. Although
the 22-year-old hasn’t found
his fi rst victory in his young
NFL career, the amount of
promise that Herbert has
exhibited shows that he can
be the best quarterback to
come from Eugene in the past
couple decades.
Two weeks ago, kickoff
was moments away when
the Chargers found out that
veteran quarterback Tyrod
Taylor was unable to play,
due to what the sports world
found out later was a punc-
tured lung he sustained while
being given an injection by a
team doctor.
Herbert, asked to step
in against the reigning
Super Bowl champions
Kansas City Chiefs,
had an impressive NFL
debut. Taking the Chiefs
into overtime, Herbert
threw for over 300 yards with
just one interception. The
Chiefs came away the victors
after kicking a fi eld goal in
overtime to win 23-20.
Herbert impressed some
notable NFL alumni. Tony
Romo, who played over a de-
cade for the Dallas Cowboys,
was effusive in his praise for
Herbert.
“This kid has made great
decision after great decision
and really just two balls were
barely high and this is as
good of a start as I’ve seen in
some time,” Romo, a TV ana-
lyst, said during the broad-
cast of the Chargers-Chiefs
game. “I’m telling you, this
kid is for real. He’s special.”
This past Sunday, the
Chargers played the Caro-
lina Panthers. Although they
were unable to gain a victory,
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times-TNS
Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers delivers a pass under pressure during a
drive late in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 20.
COREY
KIRK
Herbert completed more than
70% of his passes and again
surpassed the 300-yard mark.
He joins Kyler Murray and
Cam Newton as the third
quarterback in NFL history to
throw for more than 300 yards
in their fi rst two career starts.
How will Justin Herbert’s
career trajectory go? I don’t
have a crystal ball. Herbert is
still in search of his fi rst victory,
slated to face Tom Brady, Drew
Brees and their respective
teams in the coming weeks.
And Herbert hasn’t secured
the starting role when Taylor
returns.
What is certain is that Her-
bert’s potential is immensely
high. Although it is too early to
put him in the same conversa-
tion with the likes of former
Ducks Dan Fouts and Norm
Van Brocklin, both Hall of
“This kid has made great decision after great
decision. This kid is for real. He’s special.”
— Tony Romo, former NFL quarterback, talking about
Los Angeles Chargers rookie Justin Herbert
Fame quarterbacks, Herbert
looks capable of surpassing the
NFL achievements of Oregon
stars Joey Harrington and
Marcus Mariota.
Harrington, who was the
Ducks signal caller at the
turn of the century, played for
four teams in his 7-year NFL
career. When he was drafted
by the Detroit Lions with the
third overall pick in 2002, he
was seen to be a savior. But
Harrington struggled to meet
those high expectations. He
threw more interceptions (85)
than he did touchdowns (79).
Mariota caught the college
football fandom by storm back
in 2014 as he helped lead the
Ducks to a 13-2 record, fi nish-
ing number two in the college
rankings with a Rose Bowl vic-
tory and Heisman Trophy. Go-
ing into the 2015 NFL Draft,
Mariota was a highly sought
after commodity, and the Ten-
nessee Titans picked him with
the second pick overall.
Almost fi ve years later,
with Mariota showing signs
of brilliance but also battling
injuries, the Titans went with
Ryan Tannehill and later
traded Mariota, who is now
backing up Derek Carr in Las
Vegas.
Although Herbert’s career
has barely begun, he has great
potential to eclipse the NFL
careers of other fellow Oregon
alumni. The more chances
Herbert has to throw to tal-
ented receivers such as Austin
Ekeler and Keenan Allen, the
better he’s likely to get.
I think Herbert will leave
his mark on the NFL and
become the Oregon Duck with
the most productive career
as a quarterback so far in the
21st century.
Former BSU
star Rypien to
start for Broncos
By Arnie Stapleton
AP Pro Football Writer
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Brett Rypien kept his head
up when he went undrafted out of Boise State. He
didn’t get discouraged when he twice got cut by the
Denver Broncos.
He didn’t fl inch when the Broncos valued Brandon
Allen over him last year to serve as a backup to Joe
Flacco and then Drew Lock.
Rypien’s determination didn’t waver when the
Broncos signed Jeff Driskel last offseason or Blake
Bortles last week.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say discouraged, no,” Rypien
said after being named the starter for the Broncos’
game against the New York Jets on Thursday night in
a matchup of reeling 0-3 teams. “I’ve always just tried
to take the mentality of get better every single day.”
Helping him with that perseverance was his uncle,
former Washington quarterback Mark Rypien.
“He sat his fi rst two years on IR, so having some
conversations with him about (how) he overcame
adversity throughout his fi rst two years and then be-
ing able to win a Super Bowl and be a starter for a few
years” helped him learn how to cope and bide his time,
Brett Rypien said. “So, I defi nitely don’t think I ever
lost hope or was discouraged. I just tried to get better.”
Coach Vic Fangio accidentally declared Rypien’s
57-year-old uncle the starter over Driskel on Tuesday.
“Yeah, we’re going to start Mark — I mean Brett
— I keeping calling him Mark at times because of his
uncle,” Fangio said.
Serena Williams
withdraws from
French Open
By Jerome Pugmire and Howard Fendrich
AP Sports Writers
PARIS (AP) — Saying she is “struggling to walk,”
Serena Williams ended her latest bid for a 24th Grand
Slam title and withdrew from the French Open before
her second-round match Wednesday because of an
injured Achilles heel.
Williams hurt herself during her semifi nal loss at
the U.S. Open three weeks ago, which she called “bad
timing” and “bad luck,” and went to lengths to make
clear she didn’t think this was any sort of sign that
she can’t continue to pursue trophies in the future.
More simply, Williams said, she hasn’t had “enough
time to properly heal” and needs “four to six weeks of
sitting, doing nothing.”
The sudden announcement came roughly an hour
before the 39-year-old American was supposed to head
out onto Court Philippe Chatrier to face Tsvetana
Pironkova.
Williams said it is “more than likely” she will not
play another tournament in 2020.
Predicting the National Football League: Week 4
Current Record: 18-12-1
Denver Broncos (0-3)
vs. New York Jets (0-3)
Although the Broncos
seemed to have guys
more injured than
healthy, I do feel they do have
the slight edge on the Jets
when it comes to consistency.
The Denver Broncos will de-
feat the New York Jets, 10-3.
New Orleans Saints (1-2)
vs. Detroit Lions (1-2)
I was shocked to see the
Saints drop two of their fi rst
three games, but they have
had a pretty tough schedule.
Although Saints wide
receiver Michael Thomas is
slowly coming back from a
high ankle sprain, the New
Orleans offense is too much
for the Lions defense. The
Saints will defeat the Lions,
21-7.
Los Angeles Chargers
(1-2) vs. Tampa Bay
Buccaneers (2-1)
The ageless wonder Tom
Brady and the Buccaneers
offense are clicking on all
cylinders. Justin Herbert will
continue fl ash signs as the
future quarter for the Char-
gers, but the Buccaneers will
defeat the Chargers, 28-21.
COREY
KIRK
Jacksonville has been in a bit
of a slump recently and I feel
like this will continue, as the
Bengals defeat the Jaguars,
10-9.
Minnesota Vikings (0-3)
vs. Houston Texans (0-3)
The Texans started the
season against the Chiefs, Ra-
vens and Steelers, all of which
could make deep playoff runs.
The Vikings are still strug-
gling to fi nd their identity on
both sides of the ball. I expect
Deshaun Watson to have his
best showing this season as
the Texans defeat the Vikings,
28-14.
Seattle Seahawks (3-0)
vs. Miami Dolphins (1-2)
With MVP frontrunner
Russell Wilson leading the
way, the Seahawks will over-
whelm the Dolphins, 28-7.
Texans and Ravens in the
fi rst three weeks. They host a
talented team in the Patri-
ots who are coming off a big
win against the Raiders,
but the Chiefs are a differ-
ent matter, and will defeat
New York Giants (0-3) vs. the Patriots, 24-21.
Arizona Cardinals (2-1)
Los Angeles Rams (2-1)
vs. Carolina Panthers
Buffalo Bills (3-0) vs.
After losing big at home,
(1-2)
Las Vegas Raiders (2-1)
the Giants head to the new
The Cardinals had a strong home of the Rams at Sofi
I’m struggling to put my
start but were upset by the
Stadium, and things don’t
thumb on the Raiders this
Lions last week. Facing a tre- look much better for New
season, as they have beaten
mendous amount of injuries, York. The Rams lost in a
the Panthers and Saints
the Panthers still managed
close one against the Buffalo before losing last week to
to get their fi rst win of the
Bills, but they’ll rebound
the Patriots.
season against the Chargers. at home with big games
The Bills are tough, and
The Cardinals are better on from Jared Goff and Darell
their offense is improving
both sides of the ball, and
Henderson Jr. The Rams will weekly. The Bills will defeat
that will show in this game. defeat the Giants, 28-14.
the Raiders, 21-17.
The Cardinals will defeat the
New England Patriots (2- Philadelphia Eagles (0-
Panthers, 28-14.
1) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
2-1) vs. San Francisco
Indianapolis Colts (2-1)
(3-0)
49ers (2-1)
vs. Chicago Bears (3-0)
The reigning Super Bowl
While the Eagles contin-
The Colts have rallied after champions remain the team ue to battle an identity cri-
losing their opener to the
to beat. They dismantled
sis, they facing the injury-
Jacksonville Jaguars, and got tough opponents in the
depleted 49ers for Sunday
big victories against the Jets
“Advertising in the local newspa-
and the Vikings. The Bears
went with backup Nick Foles per is as important to my mobile
and benched former starter
computer repair business as
Mitchell Trubisky in their
antivirus software is to your
victory against the Falcons. I
online safety.”
am intrigued by the Colts de-
fense, and I’ll pick the Colts
~Dale Bogardus
to defeat the Bears, 14-10.
‘Living the Dream!’
Cowboys looked really good
last week, with Dak Prescott
throwing well, Zeke Elliott
fi nding some holes and the
defense showing promise.
The Cowboys will defeat
the Browns, 24-13.
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)
vs. Tennessee Titans (3-0)
In a match up of unbeaten
teams, the Steelers’ defense
will be the key. The Steelers
will defeat the Titans, 20-17. Baltimore Ravens (2-1)
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)
vs. Washington Football
vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Team (1-2)
Cleveland Browns (2-1)
(0-2-1)
vs. Dallas Cowboys (1-2)
After struggling against
This game is going to be in-
The Cowboys, after a
what quarterback Lamar
teresting for the quarterback last-minute loss on the road
Jackson deemed their “kryp-
match up between Gardner
against the Seahawks, return tonite,” in the Kansas City
Minshew and Joe Burrow.
home to host the Browns. The Chiefs, the Ravens travel to
Washington. I would expect
for Jackson to bounce back
with a big game. Washington
is going to struggle, and the
Ravens will defeat the Wash-
ington Football Team, 30-14.
1761 Broadway St, Baker City
541-297-5831
Night Football. Even with
backups on the fi eld, the
49ers didn’t skip a single
beat last week behind
quarterback Nick Mullens.
After his performance, the
49ers will comfortably rest
Jimmy Garopolo another
week with ease. The 49ers
will defeat the Eagles, 28-
17.
Atlanta Falcons (0-3) vs.
Green Bay Packers (3-0)
It is safe to say that the
most frustrated fan base
in football are backers of
the Atlanta Falcons, after
dropping another game out
of the grip of their fi ngers
against the Bears. Though
the Falcons are capable of
threatening the Packers on
Monday Night Football, I
can’t see Atlanta winning
as the Packers exploit every
weakness in the Falcons
defense. The Packers will
defeat the Falcons, 28-21.