QB Jimmy Garoppolo Press Conference

QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Press Conference – September 15, 2021

San Francisco 49ers

How’s it going?

“A little humid. I’m liking it so far, man. It’s I think my third time here, I think so becoming a regular here kind of.”

What have you learned from the previous two trips?

“I’m trying to think. I’ve learned the Greenbrier is a complicated layout. So just getting around in there, it was difficult at first, but I feel like I’ve come a long way with that. So yeah, just that and it’s a lot more humid out here than California. So got to get used to that.”

Having done this just 12 months ago, you know, back-to-back road games and staying here in between, how does last year help you guys with familiarity?

“I think just knowing the layout. Like I said, knowing the layout is a big part of it, just with the scheduling and everything. It’s a little bit different than what we’re used to back home. So getting place to place, the bus drivers are awesome. Those guys, learn more about West Virginia every time from those guys. They’re a fun time. But yeah, just the familiarity with it getting used to it. And I mean, out here, it’s gorgeous. So you can’t beat this.”

Obviously losing RB Raheem Mostert for the season is a big deal. How do you feel about the young guys, three guys that are still here as far as how they can kind of keep things rolling?

“You know, with Raheem it really sucks. It does. Just there’s no way around it. It’s one of those tough breaks for him, just get started, off to a hot start like that, and then you lose him. So we’re going to miss him. But the young guys, like [RB] Elijah [Mitchell] did in the game and [RB JaMycal] Hasty, I’ve seen it last year with Haste, he’s always ready to roll. He’s a gamer. And then we’ll bring [RB] Trey [Sermon] along, get him ready for this week. I mean, they’re a good group and they really are. They complement each other really well. It’s a little bit of different tastes with each one of them. They each have their own style of doing it, but it’s all effective. And I think with the O-Line we’ve got, tight ends, fullbacks, even receivers blocking it. It makes for a good group.”

Given what you guys went through last year injury-wise, as a captain, do you feel the need to tell guys like, hey, let’s not fall into this here we go again kind of mindset with stuff like that?

“Yeah. Yeah. I think it kind of happens naturally too. Just I mean, with the last two days working out here it’s been talked about. It’s something that you have to address. It’s not like it’s a, I don’t know, you could avoid it in any way. So it’s just one of those things. You’ve got to stay hydrated, do all the right things, the little things behind the scenes, getting with the trainers, getting with the body maintenance people. I mean, there’s a million little things that go into it and we just can’t get lazy, especially early in the season, it’s going to translate to later in the year and just on and on. It’s all tied together. So I think attacking it early and getting on the right page, we’ll be in the right spot.”

Talking about COVID as well as another angle of that. What’s kind of been talks and conversation with that throughout the team?

“Just be safe, especially out here. New territory for us and everything. Always trying to wear masks as much as possible. Not try to go out too much and get into the West Virginia life. I don’t really know what’s out there. I haven’t been outside of the Greenbrier, but just being smart with it really.”

When you look at the Eagles on film, reminiscent of last season even though you didn’t play against them and just what do you see from those guys?

“Yeah. Similar to last year, a little bit of a different scheme with the new coaches and things like that. But the front’s the same. A lot of talent up front. They’re as talented and as fast as they get. So it will be a good test for us. But in the backend they’ve got some talent too, you know, with the new corners and everything. It’ll be a good test for us.”

How impressive did the offensive line play against Detroit?

“Very, very impressive. In the run and pass game really. Those guys, they got off to a good start. They were rolling up front and it makes everything easier when those guys play like that. And just when the five of them were working together, even with the tight ends and [FB Kyle Juszczyk] Juice as the fullback makes for a good scheme.”

Talking about those young running backs, how do you guys get them adjusted to what they’re supposed to do when they’re not carrying the ball?

“I think that just comes from practice. It’ll come from the reps, the communication with the O-Line, me. Coach [running backs coach Robert] Turner [Jr.] does a great job of getting those guys ready. They’re always ready to come in and just, I mean, we have a pretty good rotation with the three of them. And so it’s kind of pick your poison, but those guys are always ready to roll. And so just the communication part of it, being on the road in Philly, it will be loud this week. So that will be a good test for us too, but I think those guys are ready for it.”

Can you talk about a specific pass or play that just highlighted, just that you’re even more comfortable in this offense? Just more natural. I think people would just assume either that was last year or two years ago. You know what I mean? But I mean, is there just, could you feel that in Week 1, just a different level of comfort?

“Yeah, it’s hard to pinpoint one specific one, like you’re saying, but I think just the overall seeing the big picture of the defense, the smooth operation between the huddle to the line, all that stuff I think just comes with experience and having run it through practice, through preseason, through the games. It’s all starting to add up now. And it’s just slowing down for me out there. So starting to see it a lot better than I was in the past. And just calling it as a whole, feeling the rhythm of [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan], the offense it’s really, I mean we’ve still got a long way to go, don’t get me wrong, but it’s coming along.”

Well you had that fumble.

“Yeah. See, I appreciate that. Keep me honest, man.”

There’s been a lot of talk about WR Trent Sherfield and him getting playing time and WR Brandon Aiyuk. What have you seen from Trent that you think has contributed to that?

“You know, it’s one of those situations where it’s competition is going to bring out the best in everyone. Trent and B.A., they bring it every day. They’re guys who you know, you can rely on them in tough situations. They’re always battling. As a quarterback, when you can have a receiver that you know where he’s going to be, when he needs to be there, it puts your mind at ease and it’s one of those things where you’re thinking about a million things as it is. If you could cut one of those things out, it makes for a lot easier of a play. So the two of them, just those little things like that go a long way in a quarterback’s eyes.”

Do you see a difference in WR Deebo Samuel this year and Deebo in the previous years and if so which areas would you say is the change?

“On the field? I haven’t, I mean Deebo’s been a dog. He’s been a player for us since he got here as a rookie. And so not too much has changed in that aspect, I would say, but off the field and on the field, I guess, his leadership has come a long way. Just the way that he leads that group. One-on-ones he’s the first one up to go. Usually he’s ready to roll and kind of sets the tone for those guys. And you know, I give him a lot of credit for that because I don’t think that came naturally for him, especially as a rookie, you’re kind of learning as you go, but he really embraced that role this year. It’s really helped us out.”