FOXBORO, Mass. — Bill Belichick finally directly addressed his backup quarterback.
With Tom Brady’s four-game suspension appeal looming, Jimmy Garoppolo has been a hot topic of conversation. But until Thursday, Belichick would only answer questions about Garoppolo by addressing his entire team.
That changed Thursday — barely.
“You know, I think all of our players are making progress,” Belichick said about what he’s seen from Garoppolo this summer. “I think all the ones that are out there — we have a few guys who haven’t been out there — but the ones that are out there are making progress. There are a lot of different units or different groupings, guys working together on a lot of different timing and so that’s something that we’ve all got to get used to with whatever position we’re talking about — offensive line, defensive secondary, defensive line, passing game.
“I think Jimmy is working hard, I think he’s making progress, and I think that’s what the guys who are out there are doing. I don’t think any of us are really ready to play yet. We’ve got another week for that — or coach — as it applies. So, we’ll just keep working to that point and then we’ll get a better idea of how that all comes together when we actually play out there in a competitive situation.”
Garoppolo appears to be holding onto the ball for too long during team drills, which has raised questions about how quickly he’s making reads and decisions. Belichick was asked Thursday if he believes Garoppolo has been hesitant at making throws.
“No,” Belichick said, shaking his head.
Garoppolo saw an increase in reps Wednesday night, throwing 32 passes. He took a backseat Thursday, however, attempting just 20 passes to Brady’s 41.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
