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Stephen A. Smith has been very critical of those who are quick to praise San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. That's not to say that the ESPN personality feels Garoppolo is a bad quarterback. He's repeatedly stated that isn't the case. The First Take host, however, doesn't believe Garoppolo belongs in the discussion of the league's best quarterbacks.
"That defense, that running game, Travis Kelce (Note: he meant George Kittle), and Kyle Shanahan are people you think about before Jimmy G ever enters your head," Smith said on Thursday, "and you're the quarterback for the team. Stop it. I mean, please. Is he ready to be a star? He's ready to look like a star because he's got stars around him."
One 49ers player, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, responded to Smith's take on whether or not Garoppolo is ready to become an elite quarterback, saying Garoppolo is "already elite," and is hoping for the discussion to end.
Smith's co-host, Max Kellerman, believes Garoppolo is capable of being a top-10 passer in the league. But can he become an "elite" quarterback?
"When we say 'elite,' we mean do we see in them a regular-season MVP?" explained Kellerman. "Not just a guy who can turn it on in the playoffs because he's in a great organization or on a great team. And so, no, that level of talent is not there ... But could he be elite in the sense that he's a top-10 quarterback? Sure."
Kellerman explains that will be determined by Garoppolo's future performances when it counts most — in the playoffs. He does, however, note that the 49ers quarterback has made a difference in San Francisco when he's on the football field.
"You can give Shanahan all the credit you want," Kellerman continued. "The bottom line is if he's so great at scheming guys open and all that, why without Jimmy G are they 4-and-20? Four-and-20 without Jimmy G. So, they can't find a replacement guy good enough to get them more than four wins out of 24 games?
"With Jimmy G, you ask? Twenty-one-and-six. The same franchise. They reverse records. They are basically the worst team in football without him. They're basically the best team in football with him. Everything else is the same. You can't just give the credit to his teammates."
Garoppolo passed for 3,978 yards with 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 2019. He led the 49ers to a division crown, the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and a Super Bowl berth in his first full NFL season as a starter.
"He doesn't have the arm of a Cason Wentz or anything like that," Kellerman added. "He's not as accurate as Drew Brees. But he can throw it well enough, he's pretty accurate, he's been clutch. Until that fourth quarter in the Super Bowl, he's been clutch throughout his career. He gets rid of the ball quickly, he leads, and he wins.
"His reputation will be made or broken on precisely the moment you picked out, Stephen A. Had he hit Emmanuel Sanders (in Super Bowl LIV), he'd be celebrated today. He missed him, they lost, and so the question is: Can he be elite? Jimmy G can move into the top-10, and be considered a great player if he comes through in those situations."
49ers mailbag: Will Brandon Aiyuk be on the roster on Friday morning? Will SF draft another quarterback?
By Marc Adams
Apr 24
We're just over 24 hours before round one of the NFL Draft begins. The San Francisco 49ers are scheduled to have their first pick in the opening round since 2021 when they drafted Trey Lance. That didn't turn out well, but there is optimism that the team will be able to make its roster better over the next few days.
GM John Lynch spoke on Monday and said there's a possibility the team could trade out of the first round. I doubt that would go over well with the fanbase, especially since they haven't had a first-rounder in the past two years. But if it's a good trade that lands the 49ers some quality picks, we could see that happen, especially if there aren't any players at pick 31 that the team is excited about.
We opened up the 49ers Webzone Mailbag to see what
Rumor: Steelers believe they can acquire 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk at a bargain
By David Bonilla
Apr 17
According to Sports Illustrated contributor Noah Strackbein, who writes for "All Steelers" on the network, there's a level of confidence within the Pittsburgh Steelers organization that they can strike a deal for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk—and at a bargain rate.
"According to a team source, the Steelers and 49ers trade talks are real," Strackbein wrote. "While nothing is imminent, they 'would be surprised if it didn't happen.' But it all comes down to compensation, and Pittsburgh isn't willing to budge much on price."
While it seems unlikely that the 49ers would part ways with Aiyuk for anything less than a first-round draft
Top 49ers Offensive Prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft
By Wayne P. Brown
Apr 23
With the 2024 NFL Draft just around the corner, the anticipation is palpable as San Francisco prepares to make their first first-round selection in over two years. Here, I present the top prospects for each offensive position, both inside and outside the top 100, with their potential to shape the team's future and draft grades.
Quarterback - Michael Penix Jr., Washington
2nd-round grade
Strengths:
Pocket passer
High IQ and processing
Blitz beater
Concerns:
Durability (Four season-ending injuries)
Accuracy outside the pocket.
Michael Penix Jr. is a great pocket-passing quarterback with a high IQ pre- and post-snap. He can read the defense well and
Anthony "Spice" Adams to announce 49ers' draft picks in 2nd and 3rd rounds
By Site Staff
2 hrs
NFL Communications has officially announced the "NFL legends and active players" who will announce selections during Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Representing the San Francisco 49ers will be former defensive tackle Anthony "Spice" Adams, who spent four seasons with the team and nine in the NFL.
San Francisco selected Adams out of Penn State in the second round (No. 57 overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft.
The NFL's full announcement is below.
In the NFL's continuous effort to connect the game's greats with the next generation of stars, NFL Legends and active players will add to the excitement of the 2024 NFL Draft by announcing various selections and participating in festivities in Detroit.
Pro Football Hall of Famers Isaac
