Pats @ Cards

[Vin+ 3,121]

STATS LLC Associated Press

Sep 07, 2016

 

Jimmy Garoppolo has spent the bulk of the past two-plus years learning in the classroom and on the practice field. And waiting for an opportunity like he has Sunday night.

 

The third-year quarterback will make his first career NFL start when the New England Patriots take on the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night -- under the lights in prime time for an 8:30 p.m. ET kickoff at University of Phoenix Stadium.

 

Garoppolo, 24, has thrown 31 regular-season passes since being selected in the second round out of Eastern Illinois in 2014, and none of them has come against a hungry, aggressive defense in a Week 1 showdown of two teams expected to be in the thick of the playoff hunt. But that's the situation Garoppolo is thrust into as he takes the reins for the first four games of the season for the suspended Tom Brady.

 

"There's so much going on right now," Garoppolo said. "Mentally, I'm straight on Arizona, but it is a phenomenal opportunity. This is why you play the game. You play to be in the game and play; you don't want to be the backup. The opportunity is here. I've just got to go take advantage of it."

 

He'll be facing an Arizona defense that finished fifth in total yards allowed, sixth in rushing yards allowed and eighth in passing yards allowed season. Cardinals general manager Steve Keim then went out and traded for Patriots linebacker Chandler Jones to pair opposite promising pass rusher Markus Golden. Two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Calais Campbell admitted he's "licking my chops" in anticipation of facing a rookie quarterback.

 

So, too, is Tyrann Mathieu, the versatile defensive back who returns from his second ACL surgery in three years. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said he expects Mathieu to "play every single play" against the Patriots.

 

The goal will be to rattle the inexperienced Garoppolo, who will be playing behind a reworked offensive line. But right guard Jonathan Cooper (foot), who was acquired for Jones, and left tackle Nate Solder (hamstring) were ruled out for the season opener.

 

Arians recalled scouting Garoppolo coming out of college, and likened him to a young Tony Romo.

 

"Jimmy's an excellent athlete," said Arians. "A very accurate passer. Having been in the system, in that system especially, for the number of years he's been there, he's watched (offensive coordinator) Josh (McDaniels) come up with game plans and understands what they're trying to do. But he's a very good athlete. You have to defend his legs as much as his arm."

 

The Patriots need to lean on their impressive depth during Brady's absence, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. New England has playmakers at all three levels of the defense, but Arizona also returns all of its skill position threats from a unit that led the NFL with an average of 408.3 yards per game last season.

 

Quarterback Carson Palmer is 36, but is also coming off a career year in which he threw for 4,671 yards and 35 touchdowns against just 11 interceptions during the regular season. He's supported not only by a dynamic group of wide receivers led by Larry Fitzgerald, but with versatile David Johnson and healthy Chris Johnson team in in the backfield and an offensive line fortified by the addition of veteran guard Evan Mathis.

 

"They're very athletic," Arians said of New England's defense. "A solid secondary group. Interchangeable parts as far as inside and outside linebackers, which can get very confusing at times, and they do a very good job of it."

 

Arians will try to stretch the New England secondary with a handful of vertical passes in an attempt to soften the underbelly of the defense. Patriots coach Bill Belichick always puts a premium on preventing big plays, and his defense created 10 turnovers during the preseason.

 

"You can't ignore your opponent, but you have to be responsive of what your team can do and what your players can do and what they're comfortable doing," Belichick said. "So, it's a combination of both, and I'd say that's the way it is every week."

 

While Garoppolo can expect to see an aggressive pass rush featuring an array of blitz packages he has never been exposed to in live game action, the Cardinals' defense is not without vulnerable spots. That begins with Brandon Williams, a converted college running back expected to start at cornerback opposite All-Pro Patrick Peterson. The 23-year-old Williams has yet to take a regular-season snap in the NFL, so Garoppolo has an experience edge on at least one other key figure on the field.

 

He also has the benefit of a veteran group of skill position players in his own right, but the Patriots announced Friday night that tight end Rob Gronkowski has been ruled out because of a hamstring injury. Martellus Bennett will get more work.

 

Wide receiver Julian Edelman is one of the best in the league at exploiting the seam, especially against aggressive pass rushes, and the Patriots will likely attempt to use battering ram LeGarrette Blount on early downs to keep Garoppolo out of dangerous down-and-distance situations -- although one can never fully predict how Belichick and McDaniels will attempt to attack a defense.

 

"You never want to be too high, too low," Garoppolo said of trying to keep his emotions in check come Sunday night. "You always want to be right in the middle. Your teammates are always looking at you, so if you react in a bad way, they're going to see that and they'll react to that. Just that calm, cool and collected mindset is the way I'm approaching it."

 

 

 

No Brady and no Gronk should make this a reasonably easy win for the Cards, assuming that Terrible Carson Palmer isn't here to stay.

[ATL_Predator+ 1,196]

35

 

17

 

I believe in the Patriots but not this week.

 

Arizona has improved that offensive line, and David Johnson has had another off-season to improve off of last year. Arizona's secondary is to be questioned, especially with Brandon Williams...but a baptism by fire is just what that guy needs to be successful and a good player in this league.

 

Chandler Jones and that Arz front 7 is to be respected. The Pats without Tom Brady, Dion Lewis..and now Gronk..look extremely different on offense.

 

Patrick Peterson/Mathieu will eliminate Edelman/Bennett in some way shape or form...so your options are slim in a very hostile environment for you first start with Jimmy G

 

This will be one of the few times in the past decade or so you see the Pats get their shit pushed in.

Edited September 10, 2016 by ATL

[Cherry 1,302]

21

 

7

 

Garoppolo not experienced enough yet, but Patriots D is still incredibly good. Cardinals grind it out.

Edited September 10, 2016 by 7-9

[RazorStar 4,025]

There's too much going against the Pats for them to win, but I expect they'll keep it close until the end.

 

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Edited September 10, 2016 by RazorStar

[Piggly Wiggly 960]

Cards are major pussy frauds if they can't beat the significantly shorthanded Pats team

 

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13

 

Pats defense, which I'm pretty fucking excited about this year, keeps it close

Edited September 10, 2016 by Piggly Wiggly

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

Cardinals declared LB Kareem Martin, S Marqui Christian, DT Olsen Pierre, DT Ed Stinson, RB Stepfan Taylor, G Cole Toner and NT Xavier Williams inactive for Week 1 against the Patriots.

Martin is out with a knee injury. Justin Bethel (foot), Lamar Louis (knee), Alex Okafor (biceps), Frostee Rucker (neck) are all active for the Cardinals.

Source: Josh Weinfuss on Twitter

 

 

 

 

Patriots declared TE Rob Gronkowski, RG Jonathan Cooper, RB D.J. Foster, TE Clay Harbor, LB Elandon Roberts, CB Eric Rowe and LT Nate Solder inactive for Week 1 against the Cardinals.

Gronkowski (hamstring) didn't make the trip to Arizona. He's hoping to return for next week's home opener against Miami. Trey Flowers (shoulder), Chris Hogan (shoulder), Shaq Mason (hand), Shea McClellin (shoulder) and Malcolm Mitchell (elbow) are all active for New England.

Source: Mike Reiss on Twitter

[theMileHighGuy 656]

NE has too many pieces missing. Cards roll.

 

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Edited September 12, 2016 by theMileHighGuy

[Sarge+ 3,436]

lmfaoCardinalsfail

[Piggly Wiggly 960]

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RazorStar 4,025]

Well I suppose I should never count out the sheer audacity off every other team in the league to trip over their own dicks when they play the Pattycakes.

[Cherry 1,302]

When Brady misses four games and Pats open with the Cardinals in Zona but all three AFC East teams choke on some serious dick and Belichick has sole lead of division.

Edited September 12, 2016 by 7-9

[SteVo+ 3,702]

Garappolo is Brady 2.0. We're all doomed.

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Larry Fitzgerald "has no plans to retire after this year."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning Fitzgerald had told "people close to him" this would be his last season, but Schefter denies that report. Considering Fitzgerald signed an extension before the season, it would be surprising if he entered the year planning to retire. Fitzgerald was in fine form Week 1, catching 8-of-10 targets for 81 yards and two touchdowns.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

[Sarge+ 3,436]

I called BS on Fitz retiring in the shoutbox last night.

[Thanatos 2,847]

Really felt like there was something off about Arizona this preseason, but chalked it up to just being preseason. Not at all going to be surprised if Arizona completely crashes and burns. I've seen it happen to a veteran QB before after being a complete turnover machine in the playoffs, (Jake Delhomme).