With The First Pick
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What do the Patriots do with Jimmy Garoppolo?

By Jedidiah Bicker

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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In a quarterback-hungry league, what will the Patriot’s next move be with Jimmy Garoppolo?

Last seasons was a breakout year for Jimmy Garoppolo. He won both of his starts filling in for a suspended Tom Brady. His first game against the Arizona Cardinals was solid, throwing for one touchdown and doing a good job managing the game. His second game against Miami was even better, he threw for three touchdowns and 234 yards before going down with a shoulder injury in the second quarter.

Jimmy did his career a few favors in the short chance he was given. However, questions still loom about his health, his ability to play outside of New England’s system and whether or not NFL defenses will be able to catch up with his game. The biggest question the Patriots have to answer might just be how long Tom Brady will play.

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Garoppolo was a late bloomer in the quarterback world. He didn’t strap up behind center until his junior year of High School. Before that, he played linebacker which explains his solid build. In today’s game, most quarterback prospects start way before that.

Some even beginning at the age of five playing flag football. Jimmy being behind in his progression was not given a scholarship at a power five school, instead electing to go to Easter Illinois, an FCS school with a track record for quarterbacks.

Garoppolo Excelled at Eastern, breaking most of Tony Romo’s school records. Coming into the 2014 NFL Draft, Garoppolo was considered to be one of the top quarterbacks. He tested well at the combine and showed above average athletic ability.

Teams liked his work ethic and his willingness to adapt to any situation. Some analyst had a first round grade on Jimmy, however, most had him as a day two pick. Stating that the system he played in at Eastern would present a learning curve coming into the league. With pick 62 Bill Belichick pulled the trigger on Jimmy and set up his future behind Tom Brady.

In his first two seasons in limited action, Jimmy was great. He picked up the NFL concepts, outlined by Belichick and looked sharp. That coupled with his play last season had teams looking to try to grab him from New England in a trade.

Early on it looked like the price for Garoppolo might be two second round picks, then that moved to two first. As time went on New England seemed to grow more interested in keeping Jimmy and waiting to make the decision on him in next years draft. Leaving the question still out their, what are the Patriots doing with Garoppolo?

A couple scenarios exist. One possible scenario would be a franchise tag and trade next season. The Patriots only have Jimmy locked up on a four-year contract due to drafting him in round two. If the New England wants to have a fifth-year option on him it will have to be with a franchise tag. New England can choose to tag and trade him to another team like they did with Matt Cassell in 2009. This would give them an extra year and more time to grow Jimmy’s value.

Another scenario is a late training camp trade. New England drafted Jacoby Brissett in the 2016 Draft. Brissett is still developing, however, if he starts to take huge leaps in his progress New England may feel more comfortable moving Garoppolo.

Last season the Eagles had a similar scenario with Sam Bradford when Carson Wentz Showed early promise. The Eagles were able to flip Bradford into a first round pick when the Vikings lost Teddy Bridgewater to injury.

The last scenario is to just keep him. Tom Brady keeps saying he wants to play until he is 45. When I hear that I am reminded of one of my favorite lines from Creed. Rocky turns to him and says ” the only undefeated boxer is father time”. Based on history he is right. No quarterback has been successful after the age of 41.

Brady may be the greatest quarterback of all time but stats don’t lie. Belichick knows that even if Brady doesn’t. Take it from a guy who watched Belichick cut his favorite player off of his favorite team growing up (Bernie Kosar), He doesn’t really care what a player wants, he just wants to win. I am not saying he will cut Brady for Jimmy but might try to persuade him to move on.

Regardless of which scenario plays out, I am excited to get so see some of Jimmy’s game this upcoming season. It will be interesting to see if he can make adjustments to some of the defenses he struggled with last season. It will be a fun to watch his story play out.

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