Jimmy Garoppolo to start Patriots final preseaon game

Jimmy Garoppolo against the Panthers in the Patriots 3rd preseason game. Photo by Keith Nordstrom/courtesy of The New England Patriots

In a move the surprises only Tom Brady (and it really shouldn't), Adam Schefter tweets and Bill Belichick has confirmed (via team spokesman) that rookie Jimmy Garoppolo will start the Patriots final preseason game Thursday at the Meadowlands against the Giants.

Jimmy Garoppolo expected to start Thurs vs. Giants and play majority, if not all, of game, Bill Belichick confirmed through team spokesman.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 25, 2014

Since Brady became the starter in 2001, he has started the fourth preseason game only fours times. The whole list of fourth game preseason starters was fun to reminisce about so here it is.

2002 - Tom Brady
2003 - Tom Brady
2004 - Rohan Davey
2005 - Doug Flutie
2006 - Matt Cassel
2007 - Matt Cassel
2008 - Matt Cassel
2009 - Brian Hoyer (played the entire game)
2010 - Tom Brady
2011 - Tom Brady
2012 - Brian Hoyer
2013 - Ryan Mallett

Looking at the 2009 Hoyer start where he played the entire game, there is obviously a precedent that Belichick likes to follow with rookie QBs to get as much tape on them as possible for them to study during the regular season. I think this means that as long as Garoppolo plays as well as Hoyer did in 2009 he is likely to be the solitary backup behind Brady.

How well did Hoyer play in 2009? He was 18 for 25 passing, totaling 242 yards with 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions, while also rushing 6 times for 22 yards and most importantly the Patriots won 38-27. If Garoppolo puts up numbers similar to that, we can all wish Ryan Mallett good luck, as he will surely get cut.

-Sully
@HookingFoul
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