New England Patriots: Can They Win With Jimmy Garoppolo?

As things stand, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady won’t be in the starting lineup for the first four games of the 2016 season–due to Roger Goodell winning a DeflateGate appeal.

So, the big question on the minds of fans and opponents alike most certain is . . . can the New England Patriots win with backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo?

Tale of Two Draft Picks

Although he hasn’t gained much playing time in the NFL, Garoppolo’s college career rings similar to that of the Oakland Raiders’ field general, Derek Carr.

Both Carr and Garoppolo were selected in the second round of the 2014 draft. Both threw for more than 5,000 yards during their final college stints. And both tossed 50 or more touchdowns with single-digit interceptions. In terms of production, they ruled the NCAA stat sheets with Garoppolo winning the Walter Payton Award.

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The Oakland signal caller took over a tremendously unstable franchise, led by second-year head coach Dennis Allen, the team’s third sideline leader in just four years. And although Carr played well for a rookie, the team opened 0-4 with one of those losses coming at the hands of New England.

Fortunately for Garoppolo, he will be under center for arguably the most stable and successful franchise during the last 10 to 15 years. He will have tried-and-true offensive weapons such as Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski, wide receiver Julian Edelman and newly-acquired tight end Martellus Bennett, among others. He’ll also benefit from an excellent coaching staff.

Will History Repeat Itself?

If history is a good teacher of things yet to pass, you have to like New England’s chances.

In 2008, when “Tom Terrific” went down with a knee injury against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first game of the season, backup quarterback Matt Cassel stunned the pro football world. New England would finish with an 11-5 record and Cassel would throw for 3,693 yards and a 21-11 touchdown to interception ratio.

Despite taking 47 sacks, it was the high point of Cassel’s soon-to-be journeyman career. But in the end, the Patriots missed the playoffs.

It may be unrealistic to expect Garoppolo to enjoy the same level of success that Cassel did in 2008.

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts as he leaves the field following the game against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Patriots 20-18. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

During the previous year, New England completed a 16-0 regular season and nearly finished perfect, a feat managed only by the 17-0 Miami Dolphins of 1972. Brady threw 50 touchdowns and was surrounded by possibly the greatest Patriots team ever assembled. NFL superstars such as Randy Moss and Wes Welker returned for the Cassel year and the team’s ground game churned out more than 2,200 yards collectively.

As a third-year backup, Garoppolo won’t have that star-studded supporting cast. However, the ones he has are pretty darn good.

Making his first starts, Garoppolo will only be asked to manage four games. But producing wins over the course of the first quarter of the season could mean the difference between a shot at the organization’s fifth Super Bowl ring or watching the playoffs on TV.

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If Garoppolo can hold down the fort with a couple of wins until Brady arrives like the cavalry coming over the hill, New England could emerge as one of the AFC’s favorites to go the distance. However, if he falters with an 0-4 record like his college counterpart Carr did, it could be Custer’s Last Stand.

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