Jimmy Garoppolo Talks To Joe
January 15th, 2014
Dennis Hickey of the Bucs interviewed Jimmy Garoppolo Monday evening.
Earlier this week at the East-West Shrine practices, Joe had a chance to talk with quarterback wunderkind Jimmy Garoppolo of Eastern Illinois. “This Joe” is more than a bit interested in Garoppolo because “this Joe” graduated from the same higher institute of learning.
While Eastern Illinois (or as natives of the Land of Lincoln call it, “Eastern,”) may not be a Division-I program, it has produced some quarterbacks of note, including a couple of guys who turned out to be decent coaches, Mike Shanahan and Sean Payton, and a quarterback Bucs fans would drool to have, Tony Romo (don’t try to sell Joe on the notion that Mike Glennon is better than Tony Romo you Mike Glennon Mob crazies). Garoppolo put up eye-popping numbers and, given Eastern’s linage, people are expecting big things from Garoppolo.
JoeBucsFan: Is there any pressure on you? Yeah, Eastern Illinois isn’t in the Big Ten, it isn’t Alabama; it isn’t Florida State; it isn’t USC. But there is a linage there of quarterbacks.
Jimmy Garoppolo: There might be, but I always thought I put more pressure on myself. I was the same way going into this past season. People were predicting us to finish first and what-not. It was a lot of pressure but I will put more pressure on myself than anybody.
Joe: Are you surprised at how far you have advanced in a year or two? You went from an unknown to on everybody’s radar?
Garoppolo: Not really surprised but more than I expected it. But I do feel like I have advanced immensely. Especially in the knowledge of the game; especially in learning the game inside and out and learning our offense. It really helps you on the field.
Joe: Yes, Dennis Hickey of the Bucs talked to you, but did Lovie Smith?
Garoppolo: No, but he’s a great coach. Lovie Smith did great things in Chicago. I am a big Bears fan and watched him bring the Bears to the Super Bowl. I saw all that happen. And I think he will bring the Bucs back to what they were in the early 2000s.
Joe: What have you learned last few days?
Garoppolo: I learned a whole new offense, really. There are a couple of new concepts that are the same as ours but for the most part they are whole new stuff. Being under center; the play-action that we are doing is a bit different; a lot of zone-reading, things like that. The whole offense in general is different. The scouts have helped me learn inside and out. I have learned a whole lot about the league. It is a fun experience, really.
Joe: So June Jones is your offensive coordinator this week. What have you learned from him?
Garoppolo: He is awesome. He really simplified the offense. When I first looked at the play book it looked like there was a lot going on. He helped calm me down. He is a real calm guy, calm demeanor. He is my kind of a coach: laid back, relaxed and knows his stuff.
Joe also had a chance to talk to Jones, who has a lot of experience in the NFL, and this is what Jones had to say about Garoppolo:
“I’m very impressed with how sharp he is and his accuracy is what really jumped out. You tell him to put it on a guy’s shoulder and he puts it on the guy’s shoulder. I think with his accuracy, he will make it in the NFL because he is that accurate. My Hawaii teams played against [Eastern Illinois] when they had a guy named Tony Romo and he was very accurate with the football. I am really impressed with Jimmy.”
January 15th, 2014 at 5:03 pm
Our 2nd round pick.
January 15th, 2014 at 5:13 pm
go get Watkins at 7 and this is our guy in RD 2
January 15th, 2014 at 5:19 pm
I like him for a rd 2 or 3 pick as good competition and Tedford to groom him into a great QB.
January 15th, 2014 at 5:20 pm
Haven’t seen him play but really like his numbers, what kind of offense did he have and is he athletic (not Vick but at least dare I say Freeman athletic)
January 15th, 2014 at 5:32 pm
Have no problem with a round 2 QB. This guy is interesting. I think the game will be on the NFL Network. I’ll be watching.
January 15th, 2014 at 5:39 pm
Anybody who’s more exciting to watch than glennon
January 15th, 2014 at 5:54 pm
Hats off to Coach June Jones for turning around his once dwindling career. As Jimmy Garoppolo, been beating the drums for this kid for awhile. Heard him in the Kid from Cornell -Matthews impressed a few scouts.
January 15th, 2014 at 5:58 pm
What about signing Veteran QB to compete with Glennon Like
-Josh McCown
-Chase Daniel
-Brian Hoyer
-Chad Henne
-Kyle Orton( isn’t a lock to return as Tony Romo’s backup)
+Draft a Rook in the Later Rounds like
-David Fales
-Keith Price
-Jimmy Garoppolo
January 15th, 2014 at 6:04 pm
Romo? lol Please. The biggest choke artist in the NFL.
This guy is intriguing though.. Seem’s like people will be all over him.
He may not be there for us unless we pick him with 1 of our earlier picks.
January 15th, 2014 at 6:05 pm
Ugh I hate seeing McCown’s name mentioned…
January 15th, 2014 at 6:06 pm
Don’t forget Rex…..he’s a FA
January 15th, 2014 at 6:07 pm
Somebody will be adding a good prospect in Garoppolo. No, Mike Glennon is not better than Tony Romo, yet.
January 15th, 2014 at 6:28 pm
This interview in a nutshell:
JoeBucsFan: Is there any pressure on you?
Jimmy Garoppolo: Ayyy! Ohhh! The only pressure on me is from your goomah’s ohhhhh!
Joe: Are you surprised at how far you have advanced in a year or two?
Jimmy Garoppolo: Ohhhh!! The only thing thats advanced in a year or two is the cup size on your goomah’s ohhhhhhh!
My bad Joe. Just been on a Sopranos marathon lately, and this article just called out to me is all.
January 15th, 2014 at 6:52 pm
the bucs do not need a has been or never was. I’d rather take my chances with youth and a good defense. I like this Garoppolo kid. Does he make it to second round. I am not as sold on Brdigewater and Carr as everyone else seems to be. There is no Andrew Luck in this draft but there are a couple who could be Ryan Leaf.
January 15th, 2014 at 6:54 pm
i reside in Texas and the Dallas fans will gladly ship you Romo. I am not sure he can go in public without protection. They hate is inconsistency and untimely interceptions.
January 15th, 2014 at 6:57 pm
My wife was a Panther……Me…a Red Bird to the northeast about a hundred mile (went back to school). Knew there was something I liked about you…of course beyond your Website.
January 15th, 2014 at 7:03 pm
Hmmm..Bruce Mathews for OLine coach? Saw he was not retained by Titans. Same goes for Keith Millard.
January 15th, 2014 at 7:16 pm
@Scotty
I hear u bro
LUVMYBUC Says:
January 4th, 2014 at 9:16 am
I wonder if we’ll hire a Senior Offensive Consultant to help with Tedfords transition to the NFL.
Also will be interesting to see what happens in Tennessee with Head Coach Mike Munchak and his staff (Keith Millard Defensive Assistant/Pass Rush Specialist & Bruce Matthews Offensive Line).
January 15th, 2014 at 7:20 pm
I too am intrigued by Bruce Matthews availability does he have any connections with Lovie or Tedford. Has not Matthews been with the Titans for his entire career or am I mistaken for the other Matthews.
January 15th, 2014 at 7:40 pm
@tmaxcon
Yeah him and Mike Munchak both have, made the the transition from Houston Oilers / Memphis,Tennessee Oilers /Nashville,Tennessee Titans.
January 15th, 2014 at 9:46 pm
I think the word is “lineage”, Joe.
Also, I would much rather have Brett Smith of Wyoming…dude can flat out play. Closest thing to Johnny Football since Manziel.
January 15th, 2014 at 9:48 pm
Pretty sure Whisenhunt will clean house defensively. He wants to bring in 3-4 guru, Ray Horton to run the D.
January 15th, 2014 at 10:07 pm
Garroppolo in the 2nd please! If we can’t get him please take Aaron Murray in the 4th!
January 16th, 2014 at 12:16 am
Ah, so you went to (ab)Normal? 🙂
January 16th, 2014 at 12:33 am
the next Bruce Gradkowski?
January 16th, 2014 at 12:35 am
Joe…Yes…The real ISU. Home of State Farm Insurance….some good Basketball but couldn’t ever break through on the gridiron like you guys did…always had some good teams there. Can’t believe Northern. But back to ours. If people think Bloomington /Normal is in the middle of nowhere……
January 16th, 2014 at 1:02 am
I graduated from EIU in May and lived across the street from him in college. He’s the real deal and a very nice kid. Easterns offense was so explosive and he shattered all of Romo and Sean Payton’s records. His slot receiver Erik Lora would also be a good pick up after the draft or late round. I want Jimmy in Tampa badly and we should def draft him in the 2nd round
January 16th, 2014 at 1:07 am
Mark2001:
Bloomington/Normal is the farthest northernmost outpost of St. Louis Cardinals fans in Illinois. North of that, it’s pretty much solid blue.
January 16th, 2014 at 6:44 am
they also talked to Jordan lynch QB from N.ILLINOIS !
January 16th, 2014 at 8:54 am
Has any one seen highlights of QB Jordan Rodgers who happens to be on our roster? He’s a very mobile QB! I know he was an undrafted free agent for a reason but since everyone is screaming for a mobile QB these days he may be an option?
January 16th, 2014 at 12:07 pm
I too am an Eastern Illinois Alum, and Bucs fan. I went to all of Jimmys home games up here, and I think he is way more NFL ready than Tony was. If they could get Jimmy and Eric Lora for the slot, I think it would be amazing! Thanks a ton for this article!
January 16th, 2014 at 12:39 pm
I also would like some info on Rodgers if possibe. Is he even a consideration or just a camp body?
January 19th, 2014 at 9:56 pm
This is the guy I want the Bucs to draft… Hopefully he makes it to round 2 and our guys see that we need another Qb.