Patriots: Tom Brady's Backup, Jimmy Garoppolo, Dreaming of His Chance to Play

It was like deja vu. The New England Patriots quarterback escaped a crumbling pocket. He ran to his right, toward the sideline. Just before stepping out of bounds, he’s popped by a defender from a divisional opponent.

In both instances, the backup quarterback was under center for the final drive. The difference: Drew Bledsoe was heading to the hospital after the 2000 loss to the New York Jets, while Tom Brady was high-fiving teammates on the sideline after leading the Patriots to a win over the Miami Dolphins last Sunday.

Backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo entered the win over Miami with two minutes, 25 seconds left and handed the ball to running back Jonas Gray four times before taking a knee to end the game. Garoppolo might know about Brady’s rise, but the former Eastern Illinois record-setter doesn’t wish for anything bad to happen to Brady just to get his chance. But like any young passer, Garoppolo dreams of his chance to start.

It’s the drawback of being Brady’s backup. Garoppolo is fortunate to learn from one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks and a future Hall of Famer. But Brady rarely comes off the field, even in blowouts: In 20-plus- point wins against the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions, Garoppolo remained sidelined.

It’s a tough pill to swallow when other rookie passers have started games.

Playing from day one is every rookie quarterback’s dream, but not every signal-caller is ready to play immediately. The dismal performance by the Cleveland Browns’ Johnny Manziel in his first career start puts in perspective the dramatic increase in difficulty from college to the pros.

Nor is every rookie fortunate enough to be drafted into a great situation. Jacksonville Jaguars’ Blake Bortles (first round, third overall) and Oakland Raiders’ Derek Carr (second, 36th overall) are experiencing growing pains under the weight of turning around their respective franchises.

Garoppolo knew New England was going to take it slow with his development. A team with a franchise quarterback and championship aspirations doesn’t need to rush a possible heir apparent. Playing time for Garoppolo was never guaranteed.

Garoppolo can at least say he has a better Patriots career than Ryan Mallett. In the rare opportunities to throw a few passes, Garoppolo has a 90 percent completion percentage with a touchdown pass compared to Mallett’s 25 percent with an interception in 2012.

Garoppolo outplayed Mallett, a New England third-round selection in 2011, in the preseason, making the disappointing Mallett expendable. Before the season started, the Patriots traded Mallett to the Houston Texans.

In Garoppolo’s first appearance, he didn’t disappoint. While Brady and the offense struggled against the Kansas City Chiefs defense, Garoppolo led the offense on a seven-play, 81-yard touchdown drive on his first series. Garoppolo finished the night 6-of-7 for 70 yards and a score.

Garoppolo might get a chance to play in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills. The Bengals upset the Broncos on Monday night, ensuring New England has home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

With nothing at stake in Week 17 for the Patriots, Garoppolo should see extended playing time like Matt Cassel did in 2005. After Brady and the starting offense played the first quarter, Cassel took over and nearly led New England to a come-from-behind win over the Dolphins.

A game-winning drive would also fulfill a young quarterback’s dream. Cassel had his shot of making that dream come true, but his game-winning pass attempt fell incomplete. Could it be deja vu on Sunday? Garoppolo wants to change the ending.

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