SI, Lindy's on Pats QBs

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

–QUARTERBACKS: Starter – Tom Brady. Backups – Ryan Mallett, Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Patriots’ depth chart at quarterback got an injection of interest with the selection of Garoppolo in the second round out of Eastern Illinois. Brady is obviously still the man in New England and the soon-to-be-38-year-old has said he wants to play into his mid-40s. He earned a trip to the Pro Bowl last season despite a down year that saw his fewest touchdowns since 2006 and lowest completion percentage and rating since 2003 while working with a totally retooled receiving corps that lacked TE Rob Gronkowski for more than half the season. Brady claims his body feels as good as it did a decade ago and he was as healthy in 2013 as he has been in years, so the aging process has not exactly been an issue to this point heading into his 15th season. Still, Garoppolo instantly will compete with fourth-year backup Ryan Mallett for the No. 2 job. Mallett has attempted just four passes in his first three seasons in New England and been less than spectacular in his preseason chances. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, the tall former third-round pick with the big arm could be challenged by the more accurate, efficient Garoppolo as early as this summer. Whether Brady is showing signs of slowing down or not is debatable, but with Garoppolo’s selection with the highest Patriots quarterback pick since Drew Bledsoe was No. 1 overall in 1993, New England is clearly planning for the future with a guy who some in the organization believe already has NFL starting-caliber ability.

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New England is clearly planning for the future with a guy who some in the organization believe already has NFL starting-caliber ability.

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Deus Irae said:

http://lindyssports.com/nfl/column/analysis-best-quarterbacks-are-more-than-passers/224869

Yep. That's why he went as the 5th QB in a suspect year at the position. It's because so many thought he was already starting caliber.

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ctpatsfan77 said:

The article didn't say that "he is widely viewed that way across the league." The article only claims that some Patriots staff feel that way. I'm not even saying I agree with that claim (or that the Patriots do, for that matter); I'm merely pointing out what they said.

And to play Devil's advocate, the late **** Rehbein clearly saw something special in Brady way back when. Maybe not instant starter, but certainly enough to push for him.

One more thought—Garoppolo has the same agent as Tom Brady, and, IIRC, also works with Tom House (Brady's post-Martinez QB coach).

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Deus Irae said:

http://lindyssports.com/nfl/column/analysis-best-quarterbacks-are-more-than-passers/224869

Yep. That's why he went as the 5th QB in a suspect year at the position. It's because so many thought he was already starting caliber.

Click to expand...

Deus Irae said:

http://lindyssports.com/nfl/column/analysis-best-quarterbacks-are-more-than-passers/224869

Yep. That's why he went as the 5th QB in a suspect year at the position. It's because so many thought he was already starting caliber.

Click to expand...

Deus Irae said:

http://lindyssports.com/nfl/column/analysis-best-quarterbacks-are-more-than-passers/224869

Yep. That's why he went as the 5th QB in a suspect year at the position. It's because so many thought he was already starting caliber.

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Deus Irae said:

I quoted the part about the organization, so I'm not sure where your 'Devil's advocate' is supposed to be here. I remember all the Mallett nonsense, post-draft. He was the great talent who'd fallen just because of off-the-field problems, and he should have been a 1st round pick.

Today, he's Mr. "I'm probably just playing out the season before I get sent packing."

I'll believe the hype about Mr. Garoppolo when I see the justification for it on the field.

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