Giant goal for Jimmy G
Out to shine in preseason finale
FOXBORO — At best, the performance of Jimmy Garoppolo this preseason has been inconsistent.
He was terrific in the opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, against the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions, he was underwhelming.
The obvious caveat is that the backup quarterback has mostly played with other second- and third-teamers and an offensive line made up primarily of longshots to make the 53-man roster. Also, it should be noted he has quickly developed good chemistry with undrafted rookie free agent Austin Carr, who has been one of the standout wide receivers with 11 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.
After Garoppolo completed 22-of-28 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns against the Jags, his combined numbers dropped to 22-of-35 for 228 yards with one touchdown and an interception in the next two games. Those don’t, however, tell the whole story.
The pick, which came against the Lions, was simply a bad decision, a play during which it appeared he got caught between trying to hit wide receiver Cody Hollister near the right sideline and throwing the ball away. He floated it directly to cornerback Jamal Agnew for the interception.
Perhaps Garoppolo’s play has been a function of, at times, running for cover under intense pressure, but he still wants to get back to what he showed earlier when the Pats take on the New York Giants tomorrow in the preseason finale.
What always has stood out about Garoppolo is his ability to not get too high or too low with any showing and maintain a level head.
“I don’t know, it’s just kind of something that I think, I think I’m kind of more even-keeled,” he said. “I don’t know. Thank my family for that, I guess.”
Even though Garoppolo knows, unlike last year with Tom Brady’s Deflategate suspension the first four weeks, he won’t start next Thursday in the regular-season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, he hasn’t changed his approach.
“Not really,” he said. “Maybe the reps here and there change a little bit. But my mentality the whole time, I’m pretty consistent.”
Edelman speaks up
On both his personal Instagram and Twitter pages yesterday, wide receiver Julian Edelman sent a message to fans in the wake of his torn ACL suffered in Friday’s 30-28 win against the Lions.
“To all of Pats Nation,” he wrote. “This has been an extremely trying week. That being said, the amount of support I have received since Friday night is truly humbling. I will approach this rehab process the only way I know how, with everything I have, to make sure I come back stronger than ever.
“Thank you to everyone for your unwavering love and support.
Tough times don’t last, tough people do. #GoPats”
His teammates spoke of Edelman’s message and the impact he brings to the team both on and off the field.
“That guy works extremely hard,” running back James White said. “He is the first guy here and leaves last, catching tennis balls at 6 in the morning. Definitely a guy as soon as you step in here as a rookie, you see how hard he works, and the results show.”
Said fellow running back D.J. Foster: “That’s an unfortunate situation. I wish him the best of luck and a fast recovery, and I know he’s a tough guy. Just give him support and be a good teammate to him and wish him the best and a speedy recovery.”
New face
The Pats dealt a 2018 seventh-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for outside linebacker Marquis Flowers, who practiced yesterday wearing a No. 59 jersey.
The Bengals drafted Flowers in the sixth round in 2014, and the 6-foot-3, 245-pounder has mostly played special teams in his short career.
With Pats special teams regulars Geneo Grissom and Shea McClellin battling injuries, expect Flowers to get a long look in that capacity against the Giants.
Back in the fold
Wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, who has battled a knee injury throughout the preseason, returned to practice and was not in a red, non-contact jersey.
Mitchell’s health is important in the wake of Edelman’s injury, so his return is a positive sign for the receiving corps . . . .
At the team’s annual gala last night, safety Jordan Richards was given the Ron Burton Community Service Award, which is named after the late Pats player who was the franchise’s first-ever draft pick and an active member in charitable work around the community.