LISTEN: What Are The 49ers' Plans For The Future? →
placeholder image

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports


Steve Mariucci explains why Jimmy Garoppolo was a better 49ers pickup than any rookie quarterback

Dec 12, 2017 at 11:37 AM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
The trade for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo opened up a lot of options for the San Francisco 49ers and hit fast forward on the team's rebuild. The quarterback's presence in the offense has already started to elevate the play of those around him. Garoppolo has won both of his starts with San Francisco and is a perfect 4-0 as a starter throughout his NFL career.

Before Garoppolo's arrival in San Francisco, the assumption was that the team would select a quarterback with its top pick in next year's draft. The quarterback class was once considered to be among the strongest in years, but erratic play this season by some of the top prospects has diluted that view.

The acquisition of Garoppolo means that quarterback will not be the highest priority during the upcoming offseason. With their franchise quarterback in place, the 49ers can now focus on protecting their valuable asset and installing more weapons around him.

Former 49ers head coach Steve Mariucci, who is now an analyst with NFL Network, joined "The 49ers Insider Podcast" this week and discussed why Garoppolo was a better choice than any rookie who San Francisco might have selected.

RELATED Kyle Juszczyk: Jimmy Garoppolo 'gives us an opportunity to make plays out there'

"The reason it was a smart move is because the Niners are going to draft very early," Mariucci told podcast host Matt Maiocco. "Let's face it. They're going to have a chance to get most any quarterback coming out in the draft. Is it Sam Darnold from SC? Is it Josh Rosen from UCLA? Is it Josh Allen from Wyoming? Is it Baker Mayfield from Oklahoma? Who is it?

"Any one of those guys are going to have a super-long learning curve. They just are, especially on a team that has a lot of needs, ok? They're not all going to go to a team like Carson Wentz did where it was a very good football team and you can win a lot of games early. They're going to have to go through some growing pains along with their team.

"And so, with Jimmy Garoppolo, he's so much further ahead than all those young kids. Having sat behind Tom Brady over there in New England and having thrown the ball so much at Eastern Illinois, he comes further along than any rookie ever will and so that's why it was such a good solid move."

RELATED Shanahan: Jimmy Garoppolo's contract situation will not be addressed until after the season

Mariucci is a fan of what Garoppolo brings to head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense and sees him as a good fit for the 49ers.

"You can move him around with some play-action keeps and movements," Mariucci said. "He can extend plays with his legs. He's not quite the same athlete as Russell Wilson, but he's still very mobile. He's not (in) a category at the drop-back quarterback. He's a guy who can do most everything.

"I like his maturity, good-looking Italian guy. I just like the whole thing. It makes a lot of sense. Now they can build a team around him."

You can listen to the entire interview with Mariucci, who also discusses his time with the 49ers, his battle to keep Bryant Young on the team, Terrell Owens' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy, and more below.




Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

Did the 49ers get better in the first week of free agency?

By Marc Adams
Mar 16

It's been less than one week since the free agency rumors started swirling. The San Francisco 49ers have been busy, from restructuring contracts to seeing some of their own sign elsewhere to bringing aboard new players. They even pulled off a trade. But have they improved their roster this first week of NFL free agency? Let's take a look at which additions and returning players help, and which losses hurt. Additions that help The addition that helped the most is likely edge rusher Leonard Floyd. The veteran pass rusher played in all 17 games last season and hasn't missed a game since 2017. The 49ers have been searching for that edge rusher opposite of Nick Bosa since Dee Ford. Floyd very well could be that guy, finishing with at least nine sacks


placeholder image

Three Key Defensive Free Agents to Make the 49ers Better in 2024

By Wayne P. Brown
Mar 10

Although the defense finished as one of the top defenses in 2023 under Steve Wilks, the San Francisco 49ers struggled in a few areas, like stopping the run, finishing the pass rush with sacks, and surrendering explosive plays. In this editorial, we will look to find three defensive players to keep the 49ers defense among the elite. The 49ers have 22 players scheduled to become free agents, 12 being defensive players. The team must address the edge, interior, and cornerback positions. Improving these three areas will keep the 49ers on top. Three defensive ends—Chase Young, Randy Gregory, and Clelin Ferrell—are set to become free agents. Per Pro Football Focus (PFF), the trio totaled 74 pressures (11 sacks, 17 hits, and 46 hurries). If the 49ers want to


placeholder image

Former 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo returns to NFC West, signs with Rams

By David Bonilla
Mar 15

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is back in the NFC West after a one-year stint with the Las Vegas Raiders. NFL Media reports that the Los Angeles Rams are signing the veteran passer to a one-year deal. Sources to me and @PSchrags: The #Rams have agreed to terms with QB Jimmy Garoppolo on a one-year deal. Following a year with the


placeholder image

Leonard Floyd reveals why he signed with the 49ers

By David Bonilla
13 hrs

Former Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd has become the San Francisco 49ers' most significant free-agent acquisition thus far this offseason. While the 31-year-old pass rusher had multiple suitors, the Bay Area team emerged as the most aggressive in its pursuit. On Monday, Floyd spoke to reporters for the first time since the agreement with the 49ers was revealed. During the conversation, he elaborated on why the decision to head to Santa Clara was easy. "Yeah, I got a call from my agent—I had quite a few offers," Floyd said. "But what it was, the 49ers didn't bullsh--t around. They was out the gate, came in with a great deal. It was a solid, solid deal for me. And there really wasn't no second-guessing it. They showed that they wanted me from the


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone