Garoppolo is doing well so far.
Unlike last offseason when Brady ruled the first-team reps in the face of a four-game ban, the Pats split the top-tier work Thrusday at Gillette Stadium. Brady and Garoppolo essentially shared the same crop of skill position players, including two of the day’s stars in tight end Martellus Bennett and wide receiver Chris Hogan, while receivers Julian Edelman (foot surgery), Danny Amendola (knee and ankle surgeries), tight end Rob Gronkowski and running back Dion Lewis (ACL surgery) were held out of the session.Brady completed 12 of 18 passes in team drills, including 7 of 9 in 11-on-11s and 5 of 9 in 7-on-7s. Garoppolo went 21 of 26 in team drills with an 8-of-9 showing in 11-on-11s and 13 of 17 in 7-on-7s. Rookie Jacoby Brissett was 9 of 16 overall, including 7 of 12 with an interception (Cyrus Jones) in 11-on-11s and 2 of 4 in 7-on-7s, but the third-round pick was restricted to third-string work.
Obviously, Garoppolo isn’t competing with Brady, who signed a two-year, $41 million contract extension this offseason, but the Patriots have to remain prepared for the very real possibility Brady misses time after his suspension was reinstated last month by an appeals court.
Also important, he gave the defense a good test.
“For the most part, all our quarterbacks are trying to make the same reads,” safety Devin McCourty said. “So you just try to play to that and play to your instincts and what you know about the offense.”
Garoppolo led off the practice’s team drills by completing 6 of 9 passes in 7-on-7s with tight ends and running backs, and the highlight came on a touchdown to tight end AJ Derby on a fade route. Meanwhile, Brady (6 of 6) and Brissett (0 of 4) led a 2-on-2 period with wide receivers.
Shortly thereafter, Brady corralled Bennett and tight end Clay Harbor for some side work on end-zone routes. At the same time, Garoppolo participated in a half-speed 7-on-7 period with offensive linemen, tight ends and running backs, and Brissett was with wide receivers Hogan, Aaron Dobson, Malcolm Mitchell, Keshawn Martin and Nate Washington and running back James White as offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels taught route-running technique.
Brady then led off the next three periods of team drills, including two sets of 7-on-7s and one of 11-on-11s. Garoppolo closed down the practice by taking the first five reps (four completions) of 11-on-11s. Brady outdid him by hitting all four of his attempts, highlighted by touchdowns to Bennett and Dobson.
Brady was fine despite Garoppolo’s better numbers. The 38-year-old was burned by a Brandon Bolden drop, a route miscommunication with Washington and two strong defensive plays by safety Patrick Chung on bids for Bennett. Garoppolo’s stats took a hit by a spike on the first rep of the day and a DeAndre Carter drop.
<aside id="related-content"> Related Articles
<article class="article-1065218536 column col-1">
Guregian: Martellus Bennett previews how much punch he might add to Patriots offense
</article> <article class="article-1065218392 column col-1">
Terrance Knighton takes humble approach to his new team
</article> <article class="article-1065217800 column col-1">
Inspiration, support in Patriots rookie Cre’von LeBlanc’s corner
</article>
</aside>Brissett, by the way, had a rough start to practice with some incompletions that weren’t even close to their intended targets, but he improved as the workout progressed, outside of his interception in the end zone. He completed seven of his last 11 passes, but three incompletions were drops.
Still, Garoppolo’s continued ascension is the most important element of the spring. The Patriots don’t need to worry about Brady, but the fate of a quarter of their season may ride on Garoppolo’s performance. Garoppolo’s decisions were quick and his throws were crisp Thursday, and his ability to do it with new targets was significant because that heightens the degree of difficulty for a young quarterback, particularly in such a complex offense.
Garoppolo has been on a consistent incline through his three seasons with the Patriots, and Thursday’s workout provided a snapshot of evidence that it has continued. Though the Pats don’t want to see Garoppolo under center in September, their confidence has to be growing in Brady’s backup if it comes to that point.
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...ised_to_test_out_how_ready_jimmy_garoppolo_is
Authors
Unlike last offseason when Brady ruled the first-team reps in the face of a four-game ban, the Pats split the top-tier work Thrusday at Gillette Stadium. Brady and Garoppolo essentially shared the same crop of skill position players, including two of the day’s stars in tight end Martellus Bennett and wide receiver Chris Hogan, while receivers Julian Edelman (foot surgery), Danny Amendola (knee and ankle surgeries), tight end Rob Gronkowski and running back Dion Lewis (ACL surgery) were held out of the session.Brady completed 12 of 18 passes in team drills, including 7 of 9 in 11-on-11s and 5 of 9 in 7-on-7s. Garoppolo went 21 of 26 in team drills with an 8-of-9 showing in 11-on-11s and 13 of 17 in 7-on-7s. Rookie Jacoby Brissett was 9 of 16 overall, including 7 of 12 with an interception (Cyrus Jones) in 11-on-11s and 2 of 4 in 7-on-7s, but the third-round pick was restricted to third-string work.
Obviously, Garoppolo isn’t competing with Brady, who signed a two-year, $41 million contract extension this offseason, but the Patriots have to remain prepared for the very real possibility Brady misses time after his suspension was reinstated last month by an appeals court.
Also important, he gave the defense a good test.
“For the most part, all our quarterbacks are trying to make the same reads,” safety Devin McCourty said. “So you just try to play to that and play to your instincts and what you know about the offense.”
Garoppolo led off the practice’s team drills by completing 6 of 9 passes in 7-on-7s with tight ends and running backs, and the highlight came on a touchdown to tight end AJ Derby on a fade route. Meanwhile, Brady (6 of 6) and Brissett (0 of 4) led a 2-on-2 period with wide receivers.
Shortly thereafter, Brady corralled Bennett and tight end Clay Harbor for some side work on end-zone routes. At the same time, Garoppolo participated in a half-speed 7-on-7 period with offensive linemen, tight ends and running backs, and Brissett was with wide receivers Hogan, Aaron Dobson, Malcolm Mitchell, Keshawn Martin and Nate Washington and running back James White as offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels taught route-running technique.
Brady then led off the next three periods of team drills, including two sets of 7-on-7s and one of 11-on-11s. Garoppolo closed down the practice by taking the first five reps (four completions) of 11-on-11s. Brady outdid him by hitting all four of his attempts, highlighted by touchdowns to Bennett and Dobson.
Brady was fine despite Garoppolo’s better numbers. The 38-year-old was burned by a Brandon Bolden drop, a route miscommunication with Washington and two strong defensive plays by safety Patrick Chung on bids for Bennett. Garoppolo’s stats took a hit by a spike on the first rep of the day and a DeAndre Carter drop.
<aside id="related-content"> Related Articles
<article class="article-1065218536 column col-1">
Guregian: Martellus Bennett previews how much punch he might add to Patriots offense</article> <article class="article-1065218392 column col-1">
Terrance Knighton takes humble approach to his new team</article> <article class="article-1065217800 column col-1">
Inspiration, support in Patriots rookie Cre’von LeBlanc’s corner </article>
</aside>Brissett, by the way, had a rough start to practice with some incompletions that weren’t even close to their intended targets, but he improved as the workout progressed, outside of his interception in the end zone. He completed seven of his last 11 passes, but three incompletions were drops.
Still, Garoppolo’s continued ascension is the most important element of the spring. The Patriots don’t need to worry about Brady, but the fate of a quarter of their season may ride on Garoppolo’s performance. Garoppolo’s decisions were quick and his throws were crisp Thursday, and his ability to do it with new targets was significant because that heightens the degree of difficulty for a young quarterback, particularly in such a complex offense.
Garoppolo has been on a consistent incline through his three seasons with the Patriots, and Thursday’s workout provided a snapshot of evidence that it has continued. Though the Pats don’t want to see Garoppolo under center in September, their confidence has to be growing in Brady’s backup if it comes to that point.
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...ised_to_test_out_how_ready_jimmy_garoppolo_is
Authors
- Jeff Howe for Boston Herald
