Jimmy Garoppolo says it’s up to Shanahan if he’s the starter next week

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has brought many things with him to Santa Clara. One of those things that should be appreciated is his sense of humor which had been on full display in his press conferences. He has addressed the Joe Montana comparisons as well as Trent Taylor and Julian Edelman comparisons very deftly.

After the win in Houston, Garoppolo joked that it was up to Kyle Shanahan to see if he will be named the starter for the matchup next Sunday facing the Titans. Here’s his full transcript from his post game press conference.

How do you feel physically when you took a lot of hits today from sacks?

“Yeah, you know it’s football, nothing crazy. The o-line did a great job today. Especially, mixing and matching a couple guys in there, but I think all of them played great for me today.”

Did you get hit in the face today?

“Yeah, I took a couple. One of them got called, but yeah that’s just part of being the quarterback I guess.”

What’s the confidence level right now knowing that you will be able to pull that comeback off?

“It’s not something we want to get into. We would love to be ahead in the fourth quarter, but it’s finding a way to win really. I think week-by-week, we have a young group of guys in there who are learning how to do that. We’re figuring out different ways. I mean last week was a field goal, this week defense stepped up huge at the end for us. It’s just finding a way to win.”

What do you feel is the change with the team in being able to win?

“I’ve only been here for a short time, so I don’t know exactly what’s changed or what hasn’t. I think we got a little bit momentum with us right now, and we just need to keep plucking away day by day, and just keep getting better. That’s what it’s all about, especially this time of year. You know, we only have three games left now, so we just have to keep getting better and good things will happen.”

How do you think G Zane Beadles did today?

“I think all those guys. That was a tough group, a little tougher than last week, but very talented, Jadeveon Clowney is one of the best in the league at what he does. I think those guys played great today, I really do. You’re going to give up some things here and there, but overall I think it was a phenomenal day for those guys.”

Can you describe the throw to TE Garrett Celek and the 61-yard run, the punch down, and how they all went to sprints?

“Yeah, I thought he was gone for a second there on that long one. You know, he had the jets. I got a little yack after the catch, which is a QB’s best friend. Celek time is a fun thing. The locker room loves it for sure.”

FB Kyle Juszczyk talk about at one point during the season he said that he couldn’t ever remember getting blitzed as much as this team had earlier and at some point you have to make them pay. You had a couple of times like that where you were getting pressured you’d just check it like the one you threw to RB Carlos Hyde that was incomplete, but happens in there where you read those things and decide that this is what you have to try and go to?

“Yeah, the defense gave us some tough looks today. They did a good job on mixing and matching coverages, but that’s kind of the trust factor that comes into that. You know you find the guy you like in the matchup and you go to him and you trust him to make the play. Some of the times I didn’t even see (Kyle) Juszczyk catch that one on the sideline but I heard it was a phenomenal catch and he came down with it so that’s one of the things that we’re gaining. It’s only my second start so I’m gaining that trust in guys and they’re gaining it in me so I think it’s going in the right direction.”

If RB Carlos Hyde would have caught that one, you wouldn’t have seen that one either?

“Yeah, probably not.”

Not looking too far ahead but you get to come home after two road starts for your first start at home.

“Am I? Well, we’ll see what happens this weekend, that’s on Kyle (Shanahan)”

What do you mean? Are you not making your first start at home this weekend?

“I mean I don’t know. We’ll find out as tomorrow comes.”

This is one of the younger teams in the NFL, does it play that way or did you see them sort of maturing and learning how to win and doing what it takes?

“Yeah, there’s little things that go into winning like putting in the extra time in the film room, on the field, whatever it may be. I mean I can remember as a rookie if you don’t know something , you just have to see the older guys do it and kind of follow them as they go. So it’s a learning process but like I said before, I think we’re going in the right direction. We just have to keep working everyday.”

Jimmy to be clear, are you waiting to hear from Head Coach Kyle Shanahan if you will start next week?

“That’s usually how it goes.”

I saw in about five in a visiting city number 10 Garoppolo jerseys by people. They had to make those up pretty fast, are you kind of surprised about that phenomenon already this fast?

“I think that was my family. No, it’s exciting. I mean 49er nation, I said it in the locker room before it was loud out there. There were a couple of 49er chants that you heard. I was shocked this being the first time I’ve really seen that, it’s impressive how well they travel. That just makes it great and gives up that much more energy on the sideline.”