The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
QB Garoppolo eager to seize 49ers’ reins
NFL: Deal sending QB McCarron to Browns too late.
Jimmy Garoppolo sat down on the dais in between San Francisco general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan, leaned into the microphone and thanked the 49ers and the New England Patriots for the trade that gives him a chance to be a starter in the NFL.
He already passed his first test.
“Kyle will tell you a great quality in a quarterback is taking charge,” Lynch said. “I thought I was going to go first.”
After waiting 3½ years as Tom Brady’s backup in New England, Garoppolo is ready to have the chance to be the starting quarterback of his team after being traded to San Francisco for a 2018 second-round draft pick.
“I’m eager to get out there and show what I can do on a Sunday,” Garoppolo said. “This league is tough. It really is. When you get your opportunity, you have to take advantage of it because you don’t know when you’ll get another.”
That was the feeling as well for the 49ers (0-8), who are off to the worst start in franchise history in the first season under the leadership of Shanahan and Lynch.
They could have waited until free agency and tried to sign Garoppolo without giving up a valuable draft pick. They also could have targeted a more proven player like Kirk Cousins or opted to use what should be a high draft pick on a quarterback.
Instead, they got a head start on the rebuilding process.
“An unbelievable opportunity came our way in the midst of what has really been a tough season,” Lynch said.
Bengals-Browns: A proposed trade sending Cincinnati backup quarterback AJ McCarron to Cleveland fell through when paperwork was not filed to the NFL before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline, league spokesman Brian McCarthy said.
He did not provide any further detail about why the transaction wasn’t finalized.
Bills: Upgraded their patchwork group of receivers by acquiring Kelvin Benjamin in a trade with the Panthers. Carolina acquired Buffalo’s third- and seventh-round picks in next year’s draft in making the deal reached just before the trade deadline.
The Bills are very familiar with Benjamin under new coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane. Both previously worked for the Panthers before being hired by Buffalo this past year.
Eagles: The NFC East leaders bolstered their running attack by acquiring Jay Ajayi from the Dolphins for a 2018 fourth-round draft pick hours before the trade deadline.
Ajayi has 465 yards rushing and is averaging 3.4 yards per carry with no touchdowns. He went to the Pro Bowl last season after running for 1,272 yards, including three 200-yard games.
Cowboys: The players union turned to a federal appeals court in its quest to let running back Ezekiel Elliott play this Sunday. Union lawyers say Elliott’s six-game suspension over domestic violence allegations should be delayed until the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals considers the issue.
Giants: Cornerback Janoris Jenkins has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules. Jenkins was a no-show when the Giants returned to practice Monday after their bye week.
Dolphins: Linebacker Kiko Alonso won’t be suspended for his hit last Thursday that sidelined Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco with a concussion, the league said. Alonso still faces a fine.
Jets: Acquired cornerback Rashard Robinson from the 49ers for a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft. Robinson was a fourth-round draft pick last year out of LSU.
Late Monday
(At) Chiefs 29, Broncos 19: Denver’s league-best defense did just about everything it could to keep Kansas City’s dynamic offense in check, but it could not overcome the sheer ineptitude of the Broncos’ offense in a third straight defeat.
Five turnovers. Three sacks. A bunch of ugly plays.
The Broncos (3-4) only surrendered 276 yards to the NFL’s third-rated offense. They held rookie sensation Kareem Hunt, the league’s rushing leader, to 46 yards on 22 carries. They forced a pair of turnovers and held the Chiefs (6-2) to two thirddown conversions.
Broncos coach Vance Joseph said quarterback Trevor Siemian made “three horrific decisions” on “three horrible interceptions” that cost his team the game.