The slighted QB: Why is the 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo such a ‘target of doubters?’
They’re not the headliners, but they’re a helluva opening act.
The San Francisco 49ers beat the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday in Santa Clara. And Jimmy Garoppolo beat Kirk Cousins. The Gold Rush topped the Purple People Eaters (No, they don’t still call them that).
Live on stage: Jimmy G and his Red and Gold Revue. Garoppolo’s big in the Bay Area, but that won’t buy you cab fare in the big city when so many quarterbacks and so many stories crowd this year’s NFL playoffs.
The Washington Post proved the point while making another one. Father Time won the day, columnist Jerry Brewer wrote, the brash, new generation of signal-callers denying the legends of New England and New Orleans one last shot at Lombardi Trophy glory.
There were the Young Turks, the baby brigade of Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson. The Men of a Certain Age headed for the Hall, Tom Brady and Drew Brees; and landed gridiron gentry Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson.
Lost in the middle somewhere, Garoppolo.
But we get it, right? This is his first full season as a starter, but he’s not a rookie. Graduated from Eastern Illinois, did his post-grad at Belichick U.
He’s built a solid highlight reel, but not with the video game ridiculousness of the NFL’s new wave.
So, where’s Jimmy? Found him. He’s in California, proud owner of a 13-3 regular season record and a No. 1 playoff seed.
But even in San Francisco, other 49ers cast off their own golden glow: Nick Bosa, George Kittle.
And some fans aren’t completely convinced, reserving judgment for a long playoff run and a February date in Miami.
Garoppolo is “constantly in the target of doubters,” Damon Bruce, host of “Damon, Ratto and Kolsky” on San Francisco radio’s 95.7 The Game, said Wednesday.
But NFL commentator Sean Salisbury sees what’s in store: “He’s going to be good,” he said.
Garoppolo hasn’t had his chance to take down a titan yet. Saturday was his first playoff start in Levi’s Stadium’s first as a host.
But in this year’s galaxy of game-changing stars, Garoppolo’s profile has been about as quiet as a 13-3, first-seed quarterback can be.
It’s not just a case of East Coast bias.
Last year’s Most Valuable Player, Mahomes of the Chiefs, picked himself up from a trio of injury scares, the first way back on opening night, only to return with as-I-was-saying brilliance to lead Kansas City on another playoff run.
There’s MVP favorite Lamar Jackson – Mr. Jackson, if you’re nasty – and the Ravens this year. Baltimore punished opponents on both sides of the ball while Jackson revolutionized the quarterback position racking up the most rushing touchdowns since Michael Vick and taking the purple and black to the AFC’s top seed at 14-2.
Even Ryan Tannehill – Ryan Tannehill – leaving South Beach to make sweet music in Nashville and the giant, er, Patriots/Ravens-killers Tennessee Titans. Only Oscar loves a back-from-the-scrap heap story more than the NFL and fans have one this year.
Tannehill may not win it all, but the kid stays in the picture. Give him Best Screenplay.
It’s a year when Canton-bound duo Drew Brees and a man named Brady are also-rans, grabbing a seat on the couch next to Carson Wentz and Josh Allen.
Let’s not forget Seattle’s Wilson and Green Bay’s Rodgers of Butte College and Cal fame – the 49ers defense hasn’t.
But just maybe in San Francisco’s run-first scheme, none of that may matter.
Over there, the guy in the red, Brady’s understudy Jimmy Garoppolo is standing in the wings, waiting for the biggest game of his life.
Garoppolo’s the opening act and the stage is all his.
This story was originally published January 10, 2020 at 4:00 AM.
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