Count former NFL offensive lineman turned NFL Network analyst, Brian Baldinger, among those who are impressed with what Jimmy Garoppolo has shown on the football field. In two exhibition games, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback has completed 72.2 percent of his passes for 170 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Baldinger, who played in the NFL for 12 years, joined 95.7 The Game on Monday and shared why he is so impressed with Garoppolo.
"Just watch him," Baldinger said on The Damon Bruce Show. "Just watch everything about him. Watch the release. Watch his eyes. Watch the accuracy, the touch. Watch him stay in there and take one right to the chops [...] There really hasn't been anything that he can't do, and he sees the entire field.
"If you make a mistake on defense, he makes you pay. There's just some people that are just blessed to be a great NFL quarterback, and I think he's just one of the few that are blessed to be a great quarterback."
Garoppolo was near perfect against the Houston Texans on Saturday night. He completed 10-of-11 pass attempts for 136 yards with a touchdown before throwing an interception during the second offensive drive of the game.
Garoppolo has shown that he can handle pressure from opposing defenses. He was a perfect 4-of-4 for 83 yards with a touchdown while under pressure against the Texans, per Pro Football Focus. In two preseason games, Garoppolo has an impressive 158.3 passer rating while under pressure.
"I know you can say it's a five-game sample," Baldinger continued, "it's a couple of preseason games, but eight years ago, somebody said Amazon sells books. Well, look what Amazon is. Sometimes you just see it early.
"That's what I think we're seeing from Jimmy Garoppolo and he makes everybody better. Marquise Goodwin has been in this league more than a few years, and he looks like he's a frontline number one starting wide receiver in this league. That's just what great quarterbacks do. They just make receivers."
Click here to listen to the entire interview with Baldinger.
.@49ers @JimmyG_10 waited all the way to the THIRD play of the game to launch this rocket. Don't give me "it's just preseason". This is the new 49ers and if you play DB v this team you better bring your track spikes. #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/tXqodDbDSy
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 19, 2018
.@49ers @JimmyG_10 "dang dang dang" some men are just born to play QB. Jimmy G is one of them. #BaldyBreakdiwns pic.twitter.com/V9Lkv6jmUV
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 19, 2018
