No doubt somewhere inside of Kyle Shanahan's 32 point presentation on why he wanted out in Cleveland was something alluding to the fact that he preferred Jimmy Garoppolo over Johnny Football. Shany gave an impromptu quick scouting report on Garoppolo on CSN Bay Area this week...
“He was a very good thrower,” Shanahan said. “Tough guy, kept his eyes down the field, could get rid of the ball fast. Really liked the person. Had a chance to go out to dinner with him and stuff. He played at Eastern Illinois, and it was a different type of offense where you can’t always evaluate with how quick they get rid of the ball. But I really thought he was a very intelligent, tough player with a good throwing motion.”
GM John Lynch and Shanahan are certainly going to make a play for Garoppolo. The Bears and the Browns are also rumored to be players. And of course they are. But is Garoppolo really worthy of this interest? And how much is he worth? He was rolling in what could end up his last game in NE, week 2 vs the Dolphins. But as is the case with most back ups or guys that aren't accustomed to heavy playing time, they get hurt.
My take on Garoppolo is the same as it was when he was coming out of Eastern Illinois...I think he's got a little Tony Romo to him. But I also thought he had poor pocket presence and would need plenty of time to develop. He's shown the ability to make quick reads, get the ball out fast, and navigate the pocket in the Patriots offense. Like most QBs his accuracy lagged when pressured, especially interior pressure; made more difficult by his smaller size. The biggest question I have now is how he'll handle more adversity on the field on a team not as proficient as the Pats.
Sam Bradford's trade has set the market on what the Patriots expect for him. Vikings paid a 1st and a 4th. But he was more a known commodity and the Vikings were desperate. Matt Schaub, also 25 and basically unproven, was traded for by the Texans for two 2nd rounders in 07'. The Eagles Kevin Kolb, after losing his starting spot to Mike Vick, was traded to the Cards for a 2nd round and a CB a season removed from the pro bowl in DRC in 11'. Course, there's also the track record of Brady back ups to be taken into account. Bottom line, I think Garoppolo can be at least, Schaub/Cousins good in a new environment, as long as he survives the inevitable pounding.