49ers’ QB is secure this time around
Garoppolo sure to start after facing Houston
HOUSTON — The first time Jimmy Garoppolo came to Houston with the 49ers, he left with a win and a question: Would he remain the starting quarterback?
Yes, after leading the 49ers to a 26-16 victory in December in his second start with his new team, Garoppolo expressed uncertainty about his job security.
At the time, a reporter jokingly assured the quarterback his starting spot was safe, and Garoppolo smiled when reminded about that exchange Thursday after the last of two training-camp practices with the Texans.
“I remember that,” Garoppolo said. “... I valued your input. I took it to heart.”
Eight months after his second regular-season start with the 49ers, Garoppolo is readying for his second preseason start with them and it will come Saturday against Houston.
In December, the 49ers were just finding out what they had in Garoppolo. Now it’s just a matter of fine-tuning before the season opener at Minnesota on Sept. 9. Head coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t appear to think Garoppolo needs to do much more to prepare for Week 1.
Last year, Shanahan had then-starter Brian Hoyer play four series in the second preseason game. On Thursday, Shanahan indicated Garoppolo would get only a slight uptick in snaps Saturday after he led one nine-play possession in last week’s preseason-opening win against Dallas.
“He’ll probably go a little more,” Shanahan said. “I wouldn’t expect much more.”
Is that an indication Garoppolo is in an ideal position with the opener about three weeks away?
“I mean, you want everyone to be perfect,” Shanahan said. “So my answer will never be yes. But, yeah, he’s been working his tail off . ... I’ve been really happy with him.”
Houston head coach Bill O’Brien, like Garoppolo, began his NFL career with the Patriots, spending four seasons as an offensive assistant before serving as offensive coordinator in 2011. O’Brien’s time in New England didn’t overlap with Garoppolo’s, but O’Brien evidently has heard good things from those who have worked with him.
Garoppolo is “what you’re looking for at that position — just guys that are easy to coach,” O’Brien said. “That want to be coached (and) are obviously good players. It makes it a lot of fun to coach that position.”
Before the real games begin, Garoppolo will continue to work on timing with his receivers. He has not played more than five regular-season games with any of them.
This week, he appeared to re-establish a strong connection with wideout Trent Taylor, who missed the offseason program and part of training camp because of back surgery. Taylor, who had 17 of his 43 catches as a rookie in Garoppolo’s five starts, is expected to make his preseason debut Saturday. On Wednesday, Taylor caught six passes from Garoppolo during team drills. On Thursday, they were less prolific, but did connect on a deep crossing route.
“Coming off any injury takes a little bit of time, but I think he’s been working hard,” Garoppolo said. “His cuts are becoming more decisive and efficient.”
Garoppolo might have more work to do to establish a similar connection with Pierre Garcon and rookie Dante Pettis, wideouts whom Garoppolo has not targeted in a regular-season game who could play large roles this season.
With that in mind, Garoppolo might not be fully ready for Week 1. In contrast to the last time he visited Houston, however, he’s no longer unsure about his job security or responsibilities.
“He’s got complete understanding of the offense now — it’s not how it was last year,” left tackle Joe Staley said. “Very confident. He doesn’t sit there and just try to memorize the play call and then like, ‘All right, let’s see what happens now that I said it.’ ”