Seven throws from Garoppolo versus Seattle: Why Jimmy G’s process is a problem

We might not see Jimmy Garoppolo on the field for the rest of the season if he needs surgery. We may not see him in a San Francisco 49ers uniform again if the front office decides to move on from Jimmy G. There are still eight games remaining, and a lot could change between now and then.

For all we know, Garoppolo could heal faster, come back sooner, and lead the 49ers to the playoffs. If the team gets healthy, in a conference that’s middling at best, San Francisco could make a run. That would make the front office’s decision that much more difficult. If the Niners find a way to win while Garoppolo is injured, then we’ll have our answer.

But I’m not interested in talking about hypotheticals. Today, I want to talk about how Garoppolo’s pre-snap processes and decision-making, and how they have led us to the discussions about moving on from him. In the video below, I also discuss Garoppolo’s lower body mechanics and how he gets himself in trouble by not always having his cleats in the ground.

• The first throw is Garoppolo’s interception, where he’s wrong before the ball is snapped.
• The second throw highlights how Jimmy is comfortable going through his reads when there is no pressure.
• The third throw is probably the biggest issue with Garoppolo: He doesn’t see the field well. Jimmy G didn’t see the blitz coming and missed an open receiver.
• The fourth throw highlights how pressure affects Garoppolo’s decision-making and forces him to play faster than he has to.
• The fifth throw is “2019 Jimmy,” where the ball is out on time and is accurate. Garoppolo has both of his cleats in the ground so he can put some mustard on his throw. It’s easily his best rep of the game.
• The sixth throw highlights how Garoppolo is unwilling to pull the trigger where you see other QBs in the league have no issue attempting. If it’s incomplete, it’s incomplete, but the throw never happens.
• The seventh throw shows Kyle Shanahan’s frustration boiling over with Garoppolo. In this specific play, Jimmy doesn’t have much of a chance. Seattle used a lot of simulated pressures, and the offensive line did not adjust. This play was more of Shanahan’s frustrations coming out from the entire game.

Enjoy!