New England Patriots: Jimmy Garoppolo looking strong
I said it before and I’ll say it again, Jimmy Garoppolo is the second best quarterback in the AFC East. The Patriots were thought to be dead in the water, especially after Rob Gronkowski was ruled out, but Jimmy G prevailed.
Everyone was wondering how the New England Patriots would be able to keep their head above water without Tom Brady for the first quarter of the season. Analysts were speculating if this was finally the year someone usurped the Patriots in the AFC East. Questions were circulating that without Brady, the Patriots could fall all the way to 0-4 and in last place before Brady even gets back; but then Jimmy Garoppolo happened.
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Take a look at it this way, against a team that many have going to the Superbowl representing the NFC, the Patriots were without their starting quarterback, starting tight end, both starting tackles, a starting guard; their starting running back and had almost all of their receivers already banged up (either recovering from an injury or didn’t practice much due to injury). So look at them now.
Against one of the better defenses in the league, away, in prime time, severely missing key starters, Garoppolo walked onto the field and went basically toe-to-toe with Carson Palmer, who had a very healthy team, especially in comparison.
There is very little you can do to make the stage bigger and tougher for a quarterback’s first NFL start. Going on the road to a hostile environment against one of the best teams in the league, none of it fazed Garoppolo. He handled his business, made plays and led the Patriots to the victory. They completed most 3rd down conversions, he came up clutch to Danny Amendola, and he kept the wheels moving forward.
The game wouldn’t have been as close as it was if it wasn’t for the turnovers. The Cardinals’ 14 points were scored off of them. Things like that will be cleaned up. And if anything, seeing Garoppolo play that well will light a fire under Brady. see you next week.
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