Jimmy Garoppolo took his fair share of lumps Thursday night during the New England Patriots’ preseason opener. Patriots coach Bill Belichick wasn’t surprised to see the young quarterback pop right back up each time.
“I think that’s always been a strength of Jimmy’s,” Belichick said on a conference call one day after the Patriots’ 34-22 win over the New Orleans Saints. “He’s a tough kid, and I think he’s responded well from those in the past. I mean, I can’t remember too many quarterbacks getting hit harder or as much as he did against Buffalo a couple of years ago, so yeah, I don’t think that’s an issue. He’s been resilient and has good toughness.”
Ten of Garoppolo’s 20 career completions came during the game Belichick referenced — a 17-9 loss to the Bills in the 2014 regular-season finale. He also was sacked three times in that contest as the Patriots rested almost all of their offensive starters.
On Thursday, Garoppolo completed just three of his first seven passes but settled in to finish 11-for-18 for 168 yards, with 56 of those coming on a screen pass to running back James White early in the second quarter.
The 24-year-old was sacked twice, was knocked down several more times and absorbed a big hit from Saints linebacker Nate Stupar after scrambling for a first down on 4th and 2. Garoppolo did not slide on the play, which he said “didn’t make the sideline too happy.”
“We talk to the quarterbacks all the time about different situations, with that being one of many that we’ve discussed,” Belichick said. “So, they’ve been taught about what the guidelines are. Every play’s different. Every situation could be a little bit different. There’s not necessarily one rule that sets every situation, but there are some general guidelines.
“I think they understand that — all the quarterbacks: Tom (Brady), Jacoby (Brissett), Jimmy. They’re trying to do the right thing or the best thing for the team, as they should. Sometimes there are a number of things to consider in that conversation, and we’ve talked about that at length.”
Garoppolo played the entire first half against New Orleans before giving way to Brissett, who went 7-for-13 for 63 yards over the final two quarters. Brady missed the game to attend a memorial service for a family member.
Thumbnail photo via Brian Fluharty/USA TODAY Sports Images
