Jimmy Garoppolo Praises Teammates, Camaraderie Ahead of Week 6
Oct 13, 2022, 1:28 PM
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 9: Jake Brendel #64, Jimmy Garoppolo #10 and Samuel Womack III #26 of the San Francisco 49ers head to the field before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 9, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 49ers defeated the Panthers 37-15. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
The last few days in West Virginia have been pretty standard for 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo: Watch some film, get some food, go to the nearby casino, and go to sleep. After all this is a business trip along the east coast.
San Francisco is spending the week in West Virginia, before heading down to Atlanta Friday night to play the Falcons Sunday. And while the team is fully focused on the task ahead, it’s nice to see players goof off and enjoy themselves in different environments.
“It’s fun out here man,” Garoppolo said smiling Thursday. “I know it’s a new environment for everybody but just trying to make the best of it and enjoy West Virginia.”
Deebo and a few others rode ATVs on Tuesday, and somehow Qwuantrezz Knight got lost in the woods 😂 pic.twitter.com/qMWR5aUtU9
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) October 12, 2022
After Tuesday’s day off, the last two days have been all business, looking to come home from this two-week road trip on a three-game win streak. The team itself has been all business as well, dominating the Panthers on the defensive side of the ball in Week 5 while the offense has been putting the pieces together.
Establishing the run game was one of the biggest pieces, solving that in Week 5 thanks to the tandem of Jeff Wilson Jr. and Tevin Coleman. Both backs combined for 143 yards on the ground last Sunday, able to control the contest from start to finish.
JWJ is the guy that Jimmy G has clicked with the most out of the backfield, challenging him to a race this week at practice.
“Jeff’s a fun guy to have around. He’s been in the fire with us, you know what you’re gonna get from him in the huddle. He’s awesome, just locked in and I can’t say enough good things about him, man. Just a good dude off the field and on the field. He’s a warrior,” Garoppolo raved.
This team is full of personalities like that, according to the veteran signal-caller. And while they’re all individualistic, one common goal unites them together, a team that you either fit in, or you’re out.
“We got a unique team,” Garoppolo said. “We got a different type of team, just different personalities, but all of us are pulling in the same direction…It’s hard to describe but you know when one of the guys fits in and when a guy doesn’t. I think those guys who don’t [fit in], don’t last for very long. So when you’re made of the right stuff and you’re built like one of us, you’ll fit in just right.”
Finding your role is essential in a Kyle Shanahan offense, not everyone is going to get the desired targets or plays drawn up for them. That’s why guys like wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk are “made of the right stuff,” they don’t complain about the individual stats because the common goal is the same: To win Super Bowl No.6 for the Red & Gold.
“I know like everyone says [Brandon Aiyuk] doesn’t get the targets and everything like that,” Garoppolo acknowledged. “There’s so much more to our offense than that and it’s just exciting that we got a good group 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 it’s cool to have guys like that on the same page and he’s been a team player and he’s made some big plays for us too. It’s coming, it’s coming.”
To watch the full Jimmy Garoppolo presser, click here.
