Jimmy Garoppolo did not get off to a good start on Sunday.
The 49ers quarterback began the game by going 1-for-4 on the team’s opening drive, one that concluded with a bad interception into the hands on Vikings safety Harrison Smith.
It was a bad sign in what was essentially a playoff game for the 49ers. Head coach Kyle Shanahan’s frustration was visible. Cameras caught what appeared to be him dressing down Garoppolo on the sideline shortly after the play. Jimmy appeared to take the criticism in stride.
Whatever Shanahan said, it worked. Garoppolo was excellent for the remainder of the game, and looked like the top rated QB he has since Week 8.
Former Garoppolo teammate Joe Staley believes that Garoppolo being able to take Shanahan’s criticism and respond shows how much he has grown as a quarterback.
“I’ve been on the sideline before when Kyle shields his face with the playsheet and rips his quarterback, and other players, and it’s not fun,” Staley said on Papa & Lund. “You don’t want to be a part of that. Kyle has a mastery of cursing you out and sounding really cool while he does it.
“Whatever he said to Jim got him dialed back in. It shows a lot of growth. Jimmy is playing with a lot of confidence right now. That is a perfect example of the confidence he has in himself to kind of flush that. As players when things don’t go your way, guys will fold under pressure sometimes and start doubting themselves.
“He finished the day going 16-for-21. Very efficient on third down conversions. He got back to what we saw in the last four weeks. I think it just comes back to the confidence he has right now, in the system, in himself, to regroup, not doubt himself and lead the team. And he’s doing a good job of that this year.”
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