QB Jimmy Garoppolo Press Conference

QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Press Conference – October 13, 2022

San Francisco 49ers

We saw you racing, I think it was RB Jeff Wilson Jr. between sessions there. It looked like you gave him a run for his money.

“Maybe, I don’t know. I think Jeff’s got me beat in that one. But yeah, it’s fun out here man. I know it’s a new environment for everybody, but just trying to make the best of it and enjoy West Virginia.”

When you were rehabbing your shoulder, did that allow you to work on other things? I don’t know, flexibility, speed things, things like that, lower body stuff?

“Yeah, especially lower body. I just got to lift a little more weights in the lower body, more running, drop backs, things like that. Yeah, I think it was kind of blessing in disguise. Got to beef up a little bit in some areas and make the best of it.”

Have you kind of noticed that in your throws, better platform, things like that?

“Yeah. Every year I try to improve little things, level shoulders, just keeping the base wide, little things like that. I still got ways to go, but it’s working in the right direction.”

Yesterday, head coach Kyle Shanahan talked about how WR Brandon Aiyuk might not be having eye-popping numbers, but he’s been playing his ass off. What have you seen from him?

“It’s been awesome. I know like everyone says he doesn’t get the targets and everything like that. There’s so much more to our offense than that and it’s just exciting that we have a good group and that it’s not all about, hey, I need this catch, I need that catch, or it was supposed to go to me here and I don’t know, it’s cool to have guys like that all on the same page and B.A.’s, he’s been a team player and he’s made some big plays for us too. It’s coming.”

Is the confidence a lot more than it was two weeks ago? Just in terms of this of offense clicking better.

“I think it’s moving in the right direction. I think we still got ways to go offensively. We left some points out there on Sunday that we’d like to have back. But the way our defense and special teams are playing right now, we got to keep up with them.”

What’s your assessment of the Falcons defense? What do they do well?

“They’re disciplined, very disciplined. It starts with [Atlanta Falcons DE] Grady Jarrett up front. He’s a wrecker in the run game and pass game and just their zone coverages. They’re pretty precise and they make you work the ball down the field and we’re willing to do that.”

So, you haven’t got to go against him much, but you did have a couple weeks as the scout team quarterback. What are your impressions of CB Charvarius Ward and what he’s brought to the defense?

“Mooney’s been impressive. I heard his training camp was awesome. I didn’t get to see all of it, but just being out here a little bit, he’s made of the right stuff, and he’s one of us, and it’s good to have a guy like that, especially at corner. He has that ability to be physical at times and then also just his coverage skills, I think speak for themselves.”

When you say he’s one of us, what exactly does that mean?

“We got a unique team. We got a different type of team, just different personalities, but all of us are pulling in the same direction and it’s hard to describe, but you know when one of the guys fits in and when a guy doesn’t, and I think those guys who don’t, don’t last here very long, but when you’re made of the right stuff and you’re built like one of us, you’ll fit in just right.”

How impressed have you’ve been with just how the offensive line has been able to piece together with just the injuries that they’ve been presented with?

“Really impressed. Like all of us, they got ways to go, but they’ve been playing great. To mix and match like that with the communication that they have to do in the run game and the pass game, it’s tough and I don’t think they get enough credit for it, but those guys are awesome. I love them.”

Offensive line coach/run game coordinator Chris Foerster talked about how RB Jeff Wilson Jr. is kind of his favorite player just because he comes in every day with a smile, what does that energy bring for you guys?

“Brings me racing him. I don’t know. He was dancing and everything. Jeff’s a fun guy to have around. A guy who, he’s been in the fire with us. You know what you’re going to get from him in the huddle. He’s awesome. Just locked in and yeah, I can’t say enough good things about him, man. Jeff’s a good dude off the field and on the field he’s a warrior, a guy you want in your corner with you.”

How much of an asset is it that this team has been together for so long? So many of you guys.

“I think it plays a big role. Myself just not going through the normal offseason and then, plug and play type things. I think it has an effect on game day and I don’t know, just being on the same page. We run familiar plays that we’ve ran in the past, whether it’s from this year or years past, I think it just allows us to be moving on the same speed, same page together and makes things smooth out here.”

Do you often feel like you’ve been together longer than anyone you’ve up against just with how much turnover there is in the NFL today?

“Yeah. I don’t know, I haven’t put too much thought into it, but I guess, yeah. When you do look around the league, not many teams have, especially our core group here. I think that’s a big part of a good team is when your core group can stay together and all work in the same direction, carry the younger guys, bring them along with, that leads to a good team. And that’s what we’ve done here in the past couple years.”

What was the celebration at the end of the huddle? Everybody was cheery.

“Oh, that was just [OL Jason] Poe breaking us down. Poe’s one of us. He’s a character, man. But yeah, I forget exactly what he said, but yeah, it was entertaining.”

He seems like he’s a very entertaining guy.

“Very entertaining, but he is made the right stuff, he knows one to be that character and when to lock it in and be focused and I love having a guy like that.”

Working with quarterbacks coach Brian Griese, is there something that he’s brought to you that’s been different or particularly helpful?

“I think just the way he sees the game, having played the position, it’s different. To coach a quarterback is difficult and I think when you’ve played it, it’s easier to talk the same language because what you’re seeing from the pocket isn’t the same thing that the coaches are seeing on film. So, when he can see what you’re seeing, it just allows you guys to be on the same page, talk the same language. He understands if I can’t see this read as well as this read, he might understand that and translate to the coaches, and it’s been really cool. I’ve enjoyed having him and we’ll keep growing together.”