This isn’t surprising at all, but there have been questions about what the team would do if Garoppolo came in and played very well.
Advertisement
Brady was suspended four games and the team was docked $1 million and two draft picks for what the league said was a scheme to illegally deflate the footballs used in the 2015 AFC championship game. That is the same way that Brady got his own start, after all. In fact, the Eastern Illinois product does feature one important intangible that Brady fails to match – elusiveness and the ability to scramble extend plays once the pocket collapses. “We’ve got four preseason games and everything until we get there, so we will take it one step at a time”.
It’s unusual for the New England Patriots coach to address something that openly, but this is an unusual situation. He helped get Cassel ready in 2008, and can surely aid Garoppolo today. We’ll just have to see how it all goes.
To most Patriots fans, the 24-year-old is still largely a mystery.
When the morning practice concluded, it was Garoppolo who was whisked off to the side for media interviews, while Brady faded off into the distance after spending time working intimately with tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett. His former college coach, Dino Babers, compared Garoppolo’s release to that of Hall of Famer Dan Marino.
“It’s a great opportunity”.
“You know, I’m just trying to go out there and get my game right”, Garoppolo said.
The Patriots, of course, will have to start this season without quarterback Tom Brady, who will be serving a four-game suspension in connection with the “Deflategate” affair. He opened training camp by saying Brady would be the starter when he returns.
For now, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said the plan during camp is to make sure all three quarterbacks get plenty of reps, with now specified first- or second-team designations. Even with Jimmy Garoppolo quarterbacking, the Patriots should not be anxious about week 2’s matchup. I don’t expect those three games to be easy; of the group I would say the Texans will be the easiest out. Why?
“It absolutely is even though fundamentally I think a lot of things are the same; things you have to do in camp in order to prepare for a season, but each year is different”, said Belichick.
The last four games could be challenging for the Patriots as they play to stay in the race for the playoffs.
“So, every year is different and the chemistry – each team is different”.
Advertisement
Just because Garoppolo is the starter doesn’t mean he will alter his mentality.
