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Jimmy Garoppolo has a long way to go

Those of you wishing for lightening to strike twice may want to look away. Because while Tom Brady took the ball and ran with it when presented with a starting opportunity, the evidence suggests that Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t ready to do the same yet.

In his most significant action since his last preseason outing just under a year ago, many had hoped to see a second year leap. Instead all they got was confirmation that Tom Brady, suspension or not, is going nowhere. Garoppolo struggled all night long and while his receivers (chiefly Josh Boyce) didn’t help him, there’s no denying that he showed a lack of awareness in the pocket and failed to show the kind of accuracy a starting quarterback needs.

It’s why he earned the lowest grade of the night (-4.7) with nothing highlighting his struggles like a couple of dropped interceptions on under thrown deep balls by Quintin Rollins. Instead of making a claim for a starting spot he’s opened up questions as to whether he’s a worthy backup, completing just two passes (on nine attempts) on passes thrown over 10 yards in the air.

Patriots can hope that the blitz heavy Packers have given him plenty of lumps to learn from them. Only time will tell if he does.

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