jimmy garoppolo

Pats Should Keep Garoppolo Through 2017

September 28, 2016 by Mike Dussault

tom brady jimmy garoppolo This weekend will hopefully be the last time of the 2016 season that we see a quarterback not named Tom Brady under center for the Patriots. Both Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett have shown plenty of promise in limited action and it’s whipped Patriots nation into an early frenzy — “who gets traded and for how many first round draft picks?!”

Garoppolo has apprenticed for two full seasons under Brady, and against the Dolphins, Garoppolo took his game to a new level, looking calm and collected in the pocket, delivering laser passes with pinpoint accuracy. There’s still some unknowns with Garoppolo, like how he does against a blitz-happy, disguise-based defense like Rex Ryan’s, but it’s clear that Garoppolo has what it takes to at least get a shot as a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Now the discussion of Brady’s inevitable exit have begun. The Patriots still have Brady under contract through 2019. Garoppolo is signed through the 2017 season, meaning this coming offseason is the last chance the Pats could have to move him for more than a potential 3rd round compensatory pick. Now the Patriots could also franchise tag Garoppolo in the spring of 2018 as they did with Matt Cassel and then move him for significant capital, but they’ll certainly be tempted by a number of offers in the spring of 2017.

Comparing the 2016 Patriots Quarterbacks

September 26, 2016 by Rick Starke

tom brady jimmy garoppolo

The Patriots have three quarterbacks on their payroll as of this writing. All three of those quarterbacks have a win percentage in games they have started that is greater than 75% in games that count (regular and postseason). All three of those quarterbacks have been drafted by the Patriots, and played for no other professional team (actually, as of this writing the Patriots have never started a non-homegrown, non-drafted quarterback in the entire Kraft-owned era. That’s really cool and will never come up in Trivial Pursuit).

These three quarterbacks have all displayed different strengths and weaknesses to their skill sets. As of next Monday, we will hopefully only care about the skill set of one, singular quarterback from then until at least February…so, before that happens (despite how nice it would be to have one more start from to evaluate the second and/or third guys…), let’s take a look at what these guys all bring to the table.

Patriots Monday Morning Wakeup Call

September 26, 2016 by Mike Dussault

Tom Brady GIF Plenty to digest from the weekend’s slate of games. Most importantly, the Patriots now have a two game lead in the AFC East. Without Tom Brady. Yup.

One more against the Bills at home, and then our sweet prince shall return and all will be right with the football world once again.

Across the AFC the usual suspects are rising to the top of heap early in the season.

Pats Posits: We’re On to Jacoby Brissett

September 18, 2016 by Mike Dussault

The 2016 Patriots season took a drastic turn on Sunday against the Dolphins.

The Pats exploded out of the gate, with Jimmy Garoppolo throwing three touchdowns and looking Brady-esque with his pocket movement. He delivered multiple strikes, converting the first four third-downs he faced.

It was like it was 2007 again. The defense forced four punts and two turnovers in the first half. The Dolphin’s headsets were going out. Garoppolo was about mak

Then Garoppolo took this hit…

Jimmy G hurt pic.twitter.com/XUH0jbpAZw

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) September 18, 2016

And the entire season changed course. The Pats held on 31-24, needing a game-sealing interception to seal what was a 24-3 lead. It was far more stressful than it should’ve been.

Meanwhile, Garoppolo has an AC sprain and is already out for the Texans on Thursday night.

And just like that, all the talk of Brady vs. Garoppolo comes to a screeching halt. Garoppolo will be back this season, but he shouldn’t see the field again (we hope).

A powder keg of hot taeks was just dropped overboard to the bottom of the ocean with this injury. But it will be back. They always come back.

For now, the Pats must survive the Texans and Bills with rookie Jacoby Brissett at quarterback and protect their 2-0 record. This is one of the most fascinating coaching challenges Bill Belichick has faced. Luckily it should only last two games.

More on Brissett, Garoppolo and a defense that gave up three consecutive touchdowns and needed an interception to seal what should’ve been a blowout in the Posits…

Patriots vs. Cardinals Film Review: Offense Edition

September 14, 2016 by Mike Dussault

The Patriots offense did just enough to win against the Cardinals. They excelled on the first two drives of the game and the first drive after the half. Outside of those three, things were fairly pedestrian with two fumbles and two punts on the next four drives. Then, in a mark of well-coached and well-prepared team, two field goal drives to end the game.

Those two drives went 13 and 11 plays respectively, both impressive numbers when I think most of us probably expected the Pats and Garoppolo to fade down the stretch. Garoppolo’s decision making was on point nearly the entire night and despite a couple missed opportunities, it’s hard to ask for more out of a quarterback in his first start on the road against a very good defense.

One of the advantages Garoppolo has always had is his quick release. Even if his reads are sometimes a little slow, he can consistently make up some time with the speed of his delivery, which continued to surprise defenders.

Here’s what stood out in the film review of the offense…

Notes (and GIFs) on the Pats-Cardinals Re-Watch

September 12, 2016 by Mike Dussault

Took another look at some of the key moments of last night’s game. Overall it was a very good start but there are certainly some areas to focus on. Here are just a few leftover thoughts and a few of the big plays that stood out to me. For my full thoughts make sure to check out the Posits.

white

Pats Posits: Pats Steal Another One in the Desert

September 11, 2016 by Mike Dussault

Oh ye of little faith. Never doubt the Patriots under Bill Belichick in a football game.

For all the turnover and injury attrition, the Patriots still very much looked like the Patriots Sunday night, getting a game-ending missed field goal from Arizona kicker Chandler Catanzaro to prevail over the Cardinals, 23-21.

The defense held on for dear life as Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald started to put on a clinic, but made the last critical play (a drawn hold by Chris Long) and preserved the lead that Jimmy Garoppolo got back.

The offense had to put together a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. Jimmy Garoppolo, despite one fumble lost, looked every bit a competent professional quarterback. He threw for a touchdown and 264 yards.

He was sacked just twice behind a makeshift offensive line that featured two backup tackles and two rookie guards.

The Pats are 1-0 while the rest of the division is 0-1. Things are looking rosey in Patriots Nation once again as we begin our voyage toward Super Bowl 51. The Bill Belichick magic is very much alive and well.

Here are the Posits on the 1-0 2016 Pats…