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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Anthony Rizzuti

Do Panthers, Ben McAdoo have a potential fit in Jimmy Garoppolo?

What would be an opposite idiom for “music to your ears?” (Asking for a few Carolina Panthers fans.)

Well, whatever it is, that’s what these folks are continuing to hear as the name “Jimmy Garoppolo” keeps popping up. Because with the San Francisco 49ers prepared to trade the eight-year veteran and the Panthers still in desperate need of a quarterback, why not assume Matt Rhule would fall head over heels for yet another mediocre passer?

Is all this talk even sensical though? Does Garoppolo even fit what Carolina and new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo will presumably run?

Our bud Mark Schofield over at Touchdown Wire believes so. He joined FOX Sports Upstate’s Game On with Richmond and John on Monday to give his thoughts on Garoppolo, McAdoo and the Panthers.

“From McAdoo, you’re gonna get 11 personnel,” Schofield said. “You’re gonna get an offensive philosophy that’s more rooted in the west coast passing game. Quick concepts, quick routes, emphasizing yardage after the catch, utilizing the back out of the backfield—which is a core principle tenet of the west coast passing game.”

Gee, that kinda sounds like . . .  oh no.

“What kind of quarterbacks fit that system?” Schofield then asked. “There’s a guy that ran a west coast system that just got done playing in an NFC Championship game. He didn’t quite get there, but you do think his team is gonna move on and that is Jimmy Garoppolo. Say what you want about Garoppolo, that is the kind of offense he’s practically perfect for.”

While Schofield wasn’t exactly advocating a push for ol’ Jimmy G, he certainly wasn’t wrong in making the connection. Garoppolo’s game leaned heavily on those quick hitters—allowing his talented weapons in Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk to do their magic with the ball in their hands.

It’s that reliance on others, however, that has defined Garoppolo’s career to this point. His inability to manipulate coverages, limited poise against pressure and lack of improvisation off the script makes him a quarterback that needs to be elevated by his teammates—not the other way around.

Under McAdoo—with a few notable ball carriers of their own in Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore and Robby Anderson—the Panthers could look to do the same by potentially acquiring the 30-year-old. But, until we encounter any more legs to this story, we’ll just stop right there for the sake of your ears and your hearts.

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