We have a situation in Foxboro. Two days removed from Jimmy Garoppolo’s shoulder injury and two days from Thursday night’s game, who will be playing quarterback for the Patriots is still in question.
MORE ON JIMMY G: Felger: Painful test for Jimmy G. | Howe: Patriots are pushing hard for Garoppolo to play | Hart: I'm not so sure
Funny, after the game Sunday it was never a question that Jacoby Brissett would be starting against the Texans. But, wait. There has been no signing by the Patriots of a Matt Flynn-type to come in and carry the clipboard behind the Pats’ rookie.
Garoppolo’s injury has drifted into the past and a number of timelines have drifted to the surface. Might I add all those reporting this information is from reputable journalists who are simply at the disposal of sources sporting various agendas.
It is obvious word of the longer return time is coming from the Garoppolo camp and the quick turnaround scenario is a product of the team. Our own Tom E. Curran reported that Week 4 vs. Buffalo was a good target for a return date while colleague Mike Giardi tweeted that a three-week healing time was required. And when Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that a Thursday return was a possibility it was easy to connect the dots.
The team is putting pressure on Garoppolo to get is butt back in the game. I strongly suggest Jimmy take a page out of the Camp Gronkowski playbook and do what’s best for him.
Garoppolo will be a free agent after the 2017 season and has already earned the big bucks. The NFL is so starved for quality quarterbacks that Jimmy’s G does not have to play another game to earn a ticket to Easy Street. Who cares if he has to sit for a year and 12 games to hit free agency. His efforts against Arizona and Miami will not be forgotten. Of course, the Patriots can trade him and that would more than likely lead to a big money deal as well.
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If he doesn’t feel right, Garoppolo should NOT play Thursday night. He shouldn’t play against Buffalo if he isn’t ready.
Belichick said a player’s health is a priority. Really? Then why was Gronk rushed back to play before he felt right against the Texans in the 2013 AFC quarterfinals. A game he didn’t want to play in and a game he broke his arm in, again.
It is easy for a fan to expect a player to “rub some dirt on it” and get back in the game. I have seen the toll that this game takes on many players once their career is over. Jimmy can rub some high priced dirt on it after he gets paid and not until. If I am Garoppolo, there is no way I am playing Thursday night. No way$.