49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo on Alex Mack: “He’s an awesome dude”

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo went on 95.7 The Game's "Damon, Ratto & Kolsky" show Wednesday and praised his new center, Alex Mack, even though they've been working together for just a few days during organized team activities (OTAs).

While the experience is still a learning one, Garoppolo said how their time together has "been phenomenal, it really has," calling Mack "an awesome dude, really funny."

On a team mixed with younger talent and prized veterans, the quarterback noted that "it's nice to have a vet that you can lean on a bit," smoothening the transition period.

To get to know his new teammate, Garoppolo has been picking Mack's brain from his Atlanta days with four-time Pro-Bowler Matt Ryan, since Mack has played at a high level for a long time before arriving in San Francisco.

Mack has been a six time Pro-Bowler, most recently in 2018, since being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Being Ryan's protector and snapper for five years, Mack certainly has plenty of experience from which Garoppolo can learn.

The center signed a three-year, $14,875,000 deal with the 49ers in the offseason, although the deal could turn out to be a one-year, $5,429,411 contract if the 49ers elect to move on from him at the end of the season.

In the meantime, Mack provides Garoppolo with a reliable option in the middle of the offensive line, which could bode well for the incumbent starter in his return from ankle injuries that limited him to six games during the 2020 NFL season.