Slowly but surely, the New England Patriots are working Jimmy Garoppolo into the first-team offense during training camp. Unless Tom Brady gets his four-game suspension overturned, Garoppolo will be manning the offense for the first time in his short NFL career. That means he must work to gain chemistry with the team's playmakers heading into Week 1, but confidence is high in the quarterback as players like LeGarrette Blount show full faith in the second-year pro.
Blount will also be serving a suspension of his own, missing the first game after violating the league's substance abuse policy. However, he is still very active in the offense as he prepares to be the workhorse with Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley out of the picture. Blount told the media that Garoppolo is showing real talent during practice as he continues to get worked in with the starters.
"I feel like Jimmy can hold his own," Blount said, via SiriusXM NFL Radio. "I feel like he can go in there and hold his own. He's playing up under the greatest quarterback, man, you can't do nothing but learn from him. I like Jimmy a lot, and I think he takes his job very seriously and he also has fun with it. I feel like if he goes in there, he's going to be productive and I think he's going to be good. I don't think he's going to go out there and do anything crazy. I think he's going to go out there and do exactly what they tell him to do."
According to NFL Media's James Palmer, Garoppolo worked primarily with Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman during training camp as he threw "pass after pass" while showing a good touch on the ball. All of the coaches and players have expressed confidence in Garoppolo's ability to lead in the upcoming season.
Several players are on the chopping block for the Patriots as certain depth options need to show real improvement. Mike Reiss of ESPN.com is reporting that Aaron Dobson is on the chopping block as he enters a critical camp for his career. The Patriots already have their favored three receivers plus Rob Gronkowski at tight end. If Dobson does little to prove himself, the receiver could be out. Travaris Cadet is another player in need of a good camp. The running back is buried on a crowded depth chart and needs to make himself known. Cadet could build his reputation on special teams.
