PHOENIX (AP) – A rookie who probably won’t play in the Super Bowl could help the New England Patriots win it.
By the time the game starts Sunday night, Jimmy Garoppolo will have done his primary job of preparing the team’s defense by imitating speedy Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson in practice.
“I’ve had to get a lot faster real fast,” Garoppolo said with a smile.
Drafted in the second round out of Eastern Illinois, he threw just 27 passes as Tom Brady’s backup. His behind-the-scenes role has been much more valuable to the team preparing to face the defending champion Seahawks.
“When we play quarterbacks like we’re going to see this weekend, that’s a huge role for us,” defensive coordinator Matt Patricia said. “This is definitely a kind of unsung hero job.”