Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens spoke with Bay Area reporters via a conference call on Wednesday and was asked what he has seen from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo so far this season.
"I think he's a very good quarterback," Kitchens responded. "He's one of the better quarterbacks in the league. He's been getting the ball out of his hands. I think they've given up one sack (two, actually) this year. Two sacks, maybe; I'm not sure. But one or two sacks this year, and that's it. So he's been getting the ball out of his hands and making good decisions."
The Browns (2-2) will travel to Santa Clara to play the 49ers (3-0) at Levi's Stadium on Monday night.
Garoppolo has completed 69 percent of his passes for 739 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions this season. He played in just three games last year before suffering a season-ending ACL injury.
"It seems like he has a total confidence and control of the offense," Kitchens added. "We've got our work cut out for us."
Kitchens remembers facing Garoppolo in 2016 when he was the Arizona Cardinals' quarterbacks coach, and Garoppolo was with the New England Patriots. It was the quarterback's first NFL start.
"I remember that, and I remember missing the field goal at the end of the game," Kitchens said. "But I remember he played very well, very good, and, again, having control of that offense, being confident in his decisions, making quick decisions, and getting the ball out of his hands. Sort of the same things you're seeing now."
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