Why the Patriots should panic about Jimmy Garoppolo’s preseason struggles
Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo has struggled in preseason action thus far, leaving many to wonder if he will be able to succeed in Tom Brady’s absence.
Remember when a reporter asked New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick if Jimmy Garoppolo could remain the starter after Tom Brady’s four-game suspension?
If you asked at any point what Pats will do with Brady if Garoppolo plays well, do us a favor: set your phone aflame and shut down Twitter.
— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) August 27, 2016
It’s funny how quickly times change. Garoppolo looked anything but impressive Friday night, forcing the media and everyone else to again admit that Belichick is always right.
During Friday night’s game against the Panthers, Garoppolo completed nine of fifteen passes for just 57 yards and had a passer rating of 67.9. Not a great sign for a guy you’re counting on to lead your team through the first four games of the regular season.
At least he was completing a good percentage of his passes though, right? Upon further inspection, that stat isn’t quite as encouraging. Of Garoppolo’s 54 pass attempts in August, just one has gone for longer than 25 yards, and that was a screen pass on a very short throw.
Garoppolo won’t be looked upon to singlehandedly win the first four games for the Patriots, but his struggles to produce big plays is a concern.
It sure won’t be easy to produce those big plays as the Patriots will face a slew of great secondaries to start off the season. Pro Football Focus ranked all 32 NFL secondaries and three of the Patriots first four opponents rank in the top 10. (No. 2 Arizona Cardinals, No. 6 Buffalo Bills, No. 10 Houston Texans)
Given what Garoppolo has shown so far this preseason and the tough schedule they’re set to face, the Patriots have every right to hover their hand over the panic button.
Meanwhile, third-round pick Jacoby Brissett out of N.C. State has shined in preseason action for the Patriots. On Friday night against the Carolina Panthers, Brissett completed all nine of his passes for 85 yards and one touchdown. Granted, Brissett was not playing against the first-team defense of the Panthers as Garoppolo did, but it still raised some questions. It’s now up in the air as to whether Garoppolo or Brissett will start the final preseason game against the New York Giants:
Belichick says the 16-day window between Panthers, Cardinals games factors into decision whether or not to start Garoppolo/Brissett vs NYG.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 29, 2016
This by no means indicates that Brissett has taken over Garoppolo for the starting job, but it shows a small inkling of hesitation among the Patriot faithful.
Garoppolo has one more preseason chance to instill some confidence in Patriots fans and Bill Belichick alike. All parties hope that things go much smoother than they did last Friday in Charlotte.