This is the first in a series of posts I will do grading Jimmy Garoppolo's play in all of the games he starts at quarterback for the New England Patriots while Tom Brady is suspended. Tonight is the first chance Patriots' fans have had to get a look at how the 2014 second round pick performs when given the reigns of the offense, going up against the New Orleans Saints at home.
THE GOOD
Garoppolo showed the talent to be a good starting quarterback. After the first few drives, he displayed good timing, a strong arm, and a quick plant and release.
He displayed a strong connection with rookie WR Malcolm Mitchell, with whom he connected with on four receptions for 55 yards, including an impressive throw where he set the defense up by faking to the right, then driving the ball between defenders 24 yards down the field to the left.
Garoppolo's accuracy also encouraged me, despite some shaky throws early on. There were a number of times where Garoppolo had to squeeze throws into very tight spaces and he rose to the occasion, particularly on a throw into the right corner of the end zone to RB James White that would have been a touchdown if not for a great play by the covering linebacker to strip it away.
Garoppolo also showed the ability that Brady doesn't have, which is athleticism to escape pressure in the pocket and gain yards as a scrambler.
Garoppolo proved he could take a hit and keep playing, because he got popped a couple times early on and only got better. His toughness especially stood out to me on a screen pass to White that went for 56 yards and a near touchdown.
THE BAD
The number one negative that most have noted against Jimmy G? He holds on to the ball for two long. On the first drive he took a sack because he didn't sense the pressure and didn't throw the ball away in time.
He cleaned it up after the first few drives, but with the way I think the Patriots' offensive line will struggle, he needs to make sure he's getting the ball out fast.
Although I just applauded Garoppolo's accuracy, the bad stuff I saw from him was mainly ball placement. The reason I still say his accuracy impressed me was because I think the plays I'm going to point out were mental errors instead of poor physical accuracy.
He had one throw that was important to me because it will be key to his success this season. On the second drive, he tried to hit TE Martellus Bennett over the top of the defense and under-threw him. We know how important tight ends are to New England's offense, and Bennett is 6'6, so there's really no excuse for under-throwing him.
On that same drive, Garoppolo had a scary throw to WR DeAndre Carter on a deep out to the right sideline. Garoppolo needed to put the throw all the way on the sideline, but left it a little inside, allowing the coverage to make a play on the ball and almost intercepting it.
THE UGLY
The third drive was killed when Garoppolo was sacked for an astonishing 14-yard loss. He did well to escape initial pressure, but then he just kept going backwards, and well....
Needless to say, he can't do this against the Cardinals Week 1.
WRAP-UP
Garoppolo was very solid in his first action as starter. He went 11/18 for 168 yards. He began the game shaky, but gathered himself as the contest progressed, which is a good trait for a young QB. He showed that he can play with poise, and remember, he will have much better weapons during the regular season. If he plays like this the first four weeks of the season, the Patriots should be in position to make a playoff run when Brady returns.
THE GOOD
Garoppolo showed the talent to be a good starting quarterback. After the first few drives, he displayed good timing, a strong arm, and a quick plant and release.
He displayed a strong connection with rookie WR Malcolm Mitchell, with whom he connected with on four receptions for 55 yards, including an impressive throw where he set the defense up by faking to the right, then driving the ball between defenders 24 yards down the field to the left.
Garoppolo's accuracy also encouraged me, despite some shaky throws early on. There were a number of times where Garoppolo had to squeeze throws into very tight spaces and he rose to the occasion, particularly on a throw into the right corner of the end zone to RB James White that would have been a touchdown if not for a great play by the covering linebacker to strip it away.
Garoppolo also showed the ability that Brady doesn't have, which is athleticism to escape pressure in the pocket and gain yards as a scrambler.
Garoppolo proved he could take a hit and keep playing, because he got popped a couple times early on and only got better. His toughness especially stood out to me on a screen pass to White that went for 56 yards and a near touchdown.
THE BAD
The number one negative that most have noted against Jimmy G? He holds on to the ball for two long. On the first drive he took a sack because he didn't sense the pressure and didn't throw the ball away in time.
He cleaned it up after the first few drives, but with the way I think the Patriots' offensive line will struggle, he needs to make sure he's getting the ball out fast.
Although I just applauded Garoppolo's accuracy, the bad stuff I saw from him was mainly ball placement. The reason I still say his accuracy impressed me was because I think the plays I'm going to point out were mental errors instead of poor physical accuracy.
He had one throw that was important to me because it will be key to his success this season. On the second drive, he tried to hit TE Martellus Bennett over the top of the defense and under-threw him. We know how important tight ends are to New England's offense, and Bennett is 6'6, so there's really no excuse for under-throwing him.
On that same drive, Garoppolo had a scary throw to WR DeAndre Carter on a deep out to the right sideline. Garoppolo needed to put the throw all the way on the sideline, but left it a little inside, allowing the coverage to make a play on the ball and almost intercepting it.
THE UGLY
The third drive was killed when Garoppolo was sacked for an astonishing 14-yard loss. He did well to escape initial pressure, but then he just kept going backwards, and well....
Needless to say, he can't do this against the Cardinals Week 1.
WRAP-UP
Garoppolo was very solid in his first action as starter. He went 11/18 for 168 yards. He began the game shaky, but gathered himself as the contest progressed, which is a good trait for a young QB. He showed that he can play with poise, and remember, he will have much better weapons during the regular season. If he plays like this the first four weeks of the season, the Patriots should be in position to make a playoff run when Brady returns.
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