San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw three interceptions during red-zone drills on Wednesday. Hopefully, that doesn't attract a media bombardment, as was the case last year when the signal-caller had a five-interception performance during practice.
Garoppolo has attracted critics this offseason. None, it would seem, have been from within the 49ers facility. Garoppolo's teammates have a lot of faith in their quarterback.
Count safety Jimmie Ward among those who are eager to watch Garoppolo prove his doubters wrong. He faces the quarterback daily during practice and has no doubt that Garoppolo is among the best in the NFL.
That, of course, was not the narrative this offseason. Had a missed opportunity or two gone his way in Super Bowl LIV, the discussion would have shifted dramatically. We may have been discussing Super Bowl MVP Jimmy Garoppolo.
Ward may play on the other side of the ball, but he is confident in the player the 49ers have leading the offense.
"Jimmy G, smooth like usual," Ward said Wednesday when asked if he's seen anything different from Garoppolo during training camp. "Made great throws last year, got us to the Super Bowl. He's going to do a hell of a job this year, this season. He's going to make great throws.
"I'm not worried about him. He's just going to do his job, and I feel like he's one of the best quarterbacks in this league. They'll know after this year, again."
Another defender, new 49ers safety Johnathan Cyprien, was also asked to assess Garoppolo.
"He's the chief," Cyprien responded. "He's very smart. He knows where to [go] with the ball. He has a great release, and his arm can put the ball wherever he wants to. He's a great quarterback. He's also a great guy. Just walking around the building, to me, he seems like a servant leader."