New England Patriots kick-off in 10 days: profiling No. 10 Jimmy Garoppolo
Opening day countdowns are great. So are player profiles. Here at Musket Fire, we decided to combine them and create a Week 1 countdown-oriented, jersey number-dictated player profile series. Yesterday we looked at No. 11 Julian Edelman, and the day before that it was No. 12 Tom Brady. Because today marks 10 days until the New England Patriots open 2015, we are profiling No. 10, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Selected by the Patriots in the back end of the 2014 NFL Draft, Garoppolo is trying to do his best Steve Young impersonation considering the situation he’s in. The sophomore pro is developing behind one of the best, if not the best, quarterbacks to ever play the game, and his time could come sooner rather than later.
It could come as soon as September 10th if nothing changes on the whole Brady suspension front. Garoppolo filing-in for Brady is foreshadowing of what’s to come three, maybe four years from (some think sooner, but don’t tell Brady that).
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As a rookie, Garoppolo made appearances in six games last season. He completed 19 of the 27 passes he attempted, tossing 182 yards and a touchdown in that action.
This preseason, Garoppolo has been a busy man. He’s earned the majority of the quarterbacking workload in the Patriots’ three preseason games, totaling 410 yards, two touchdowns and two picks while completing a slick 76 percent of his attempts.
Garoppolo has steadily improved in each preseason affair, as evidenced by his upward tracking quarterback rating. He has compiled a 93.4 quarterback rating thus far.
There are times when Jimmy G is visibly nervous; you can tell by the happy feet he sometimes gets in the pocket while searching for a target. But Garoppolo has also displayed decisiveness and confidence, and that’s when he looks like the next Steve Young.
As Patriots fans, it’s fun to watch a quarterback regularly use his legs to make plays. Garoppolo brings another dimension to the offense without a doubt, one that should guide the Patriots to a 3-1 record in the first four games should Brady remain suspended.
In case you missed them, here are the profiles for No. 13 Brandon Gibson, No. 14 Chris Harper, No. 15 Reggie Wayne, No. 16 Jonathan Krause, No. 17 Aaron Dobson, No. 18 Matthew Slater, No. 19 Brandon LaFell, No. 21 Malcolm Butler, No. 22 Robert McClain, No. 23 Patrick Chung, No. 24 Bradley Fletcher, No. 25 Daxton Swanson, No. 26 Logan Ryan, No. 27 Tavon Wilson, No. 28 James White, No. 29 LeGarrette Blount, No. 30 Duron Harmon, No. 31 Tarell Brown, No. 32 Devin McCourty, No. 33 Dion Lewis and No. 35 Jonas Gray.
We’re very close to reaching the end of the roster. Only three players remain to be profiled: No. 7 Ryan Lindley, No. 6 Ryan Allen and No. 3 Stephen Gostkowski. Be sure to check back on Musket Fire Thursday morning as we celebrate 7 days until Week 1 by profiling the owner of the No. 7 jersey, Lindley.