Jimmy Garoppolo found himself in an odd situation Thursday, standing between his past and future.
Garoppolo’s new team, the Las Vegas Raiders, hosted a joint practice with his old team, the San Francisco 49ers, his home for the past six seasons.
The 31-year-old quarterback told reporters it was great to see old teammates.
“First play, Dre [Greenlaw] was talking, got things going right away,” Garoppolo said about the 49ers linebacker (via ESPN). “Those are my brothers. I love those guys. We had a good time out there competing.”
But Garoppolo is totally focused on his new role with the Raiders. Expectations are high, as he steps in to replace longtime starter Derek Carr.
Garoppolo suffered a left foot injury in Week 13 last year that cost him the rest of the season. He had surgery on the foot this spring and says he’s making progress.
“I’m just starting to get my feet under me,” Garoppolo said, “literally and figuratively. We’re starting to find our groove here.”
Beyond the physical part of the game, Garoppolo said he has a specific approach he’s taking in terms of stepping up to be a team leader. That’s no easy task for a player in his first year with a team. By all accounts, he’s being embraced by his new teammates.
Garoppolo said his approach in winning over his teammates is simple.
“I think being authentic, be yourself and, you know, own it,” Garoppolo said. “I think that’s a big part of it because we spend so much time together in there, spend more time with these guys than you do your own family. So, the guys are going to see through the fakeness. I think just being authentic, being yourself and wanting to win at the end of the day, that’s what people expect.”
[ESPN.com]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.