NFL Off-Season: Top QB Competitions
Jun 17, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterbacks Ryan Mallet (15) , Tom Brady (12) and Jimmy Garoppolo (10) warm up during mini camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots
Ryan Mallet vs. Jimmy Garoppolo
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Prediction:
The Pats selected QB Jimmy Garoppolo out of Eastern Illinois in this year’s NFL Draft. Garoppolo was one of the most highly-toted prospects from the FCS. According to his NFL.com profile, Garoppolo “started the final eight games of his true freshman season in 2010, completing 124 of 211 passes (58.8 percent) for 1,639 yards with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Made all 11 starts in 2011, going 217-of-349 for 2,644 with 20 TDs and 14 INTs. Went 331-of-540 (61.3 percent)for 3,823 yards with 31 TDs and 15 INTs in 12 starts in 2012. Named the Walter Payton Award winner, given to top player in FCS, in 2013 after going 375-of-568 (66.0 percent) for 5,050 yards with 53 TDs and nine INTs in 14 contests. Threw for 450 yards and six touchdowns in the Panthers’ only regular-season loss, to Northern Illinois. Is one of only two quarterbacks to throw for more than 5,000 yards in a season (Taylor Heinicke, 2012) in FCS history. Was named the Offensive MVP of the East-West Shrine Game. Had eight career rushing touchdowns and a 23-22 record in 45 starts.”
With stats such as that, it is hard to ignore the abilities and production of Garoppolo. Where scouts and NFL analysts have commended him is in his speedy quick release. Garoppolo’s release is nice and compact, giving him an advantage over other QBs who may take a tad bit more time when releasing the ball (a huge disadvantage when a fraction of a second could mean a potential sack). Some critics of Garoppolo say that because his release takes so little time, often he doesn’t put enough mustard on the ball, leading to under-thrown deep passes. The main reason being that Garoppolo will probably spend the entirety of this season and most likely next season on the bench, watching QB Tom Brady carve up opposing defenses like a thanksgiving turkey. In order for Garoppolo to be successful, he is going to have to learn the NFL system. By working on his footwork from under center and practicing a lot with his receivers and against NFL-style pass rushes, Garoppolo can better prepare himself for a potential starting job.
On the other side of this competition is former Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett. While a starting QB at the University of Arkansas, Mallett averaged a very productive 3,748 yards, 31 touchdowns and a 60.25% completion during his final two seasons. I think if there is anyone that can truly challenge Garoppolo for the starting spot, it is Mallett. The only knock on Mallett though is the limited amount of in-game snaps/reps he actually has been given. It’s been three years since Mallett has actually seen real action. I think that this competition for second string QB could have bigger implications than just second string. If Brady gets injured, it could perhaps be the end of his career. His status for the 2015 seasons is also still up in the air. I think this season watches as Mallett and Garoppolo battle for the second spot during the pre-season and even during some fourth quarter play throughout the season when the Pats are leading by big. Who will win? That is a tough question. Obviously we won’t know who will be the starter in 2015, but whoever wins the second string spot in 2014 could have a greater chance for that 2015 starting job. I like Garoppolo for his mechanics and production, however Mallet does have a lot of great qualities too. Mallett played in a better offense and against better talent at Arkansas than Garoppolo did at Eastern Illinois. It will most definitely be interesting to see who Belichick goes with during this off-season.