Who is Jimmy Garoppolo?

Aug 15, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) heads off the field after the preseason game at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 42-35. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) heads off the field after the preseason game at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 42-35. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Now that Tom Brady will be suspended for the first four games of the season, who is this man named Jimmy Garoppolo that will replace him?

On Monday the news came down that the NFL would indeed be sending a harsh reprimand the way of the New England Patriots for their role in DeflateGate, including the four-game suspension of Tom Brady. With that being part of the punishment, the reins of the offense will presumably be turned over to second-year backup Jimmy Garoppolo.

Now, many of you are probably asking yourselves: “Who is Jimmy Garoppolo?”

Well, Garoppolo, again, is entering just his second season in the NFL. Last year he was drafted by the Patriots with the No. 62 overall pick in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Eastern Illinois, immediately making him the heir apparent to Tom Brady. Now some did wonder whether or not the Patriots were looking to develop him and eventually trade him down the line, but with Brady’s time in the NFL seemingly coming down the home stretch, it’s pretty clear that the Pats saw Garoppolo as the next big thing in New England.

Last season Garoppolo appeared in six games for the Patriots during their run towards the Super Bowl title, throwing for 182 yards with one touchdown. So, yes, his experience is limited. But that’s all about to change, as we learned on Monday, as he’ll more than likely be the starting quarterback for the first four games of the 2015 season for the New England Patriots.

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