3 areas where 49ers Jimmy Garoppolo can improve over rest of 2019
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Intermediate-Area Passes
Back in early 2018, Pro Football Focus ran an article breaking down whether or not Jimmy Garoppolo could be the “next elite quarterback.”
This, following his efforts to lead the 2017 49ers to a five-game win streak to close out the season and before his disastrous ACL tear in Week 3 of 2018 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
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One of the areas discussed was just how well Garoppolo fared in the intermediate areas of the field — passes between 10 and 20 yards from the line of scrimmage:
"Over his five starts [in 2017], Garoppolo completed 63.2 percent of his passes in the intermediate range at 10.8 yards per attempt. That’s where the elite quarterbacks make their money, and Garoppolo is following that blueprint to a ‘T’."
This year, however, Garoppolo hasn’t exactly enjoyed the same kind of success in targeting this same spot of the field.
Per PFF, Garoppolo is 4-of-11 on throws left of the number marks between 10 and 20 yards with an 87.7 passer rating. Between numbers in this same area, Garoppolo has gone 30-of-52 with one touchdown and three interceptions for a passer rating of 72.2.
And to the right of the numbers between 10 and 20 yards out, Garoppolo is 6-of-20 with no touchdowns and an interception, amassing a lowly 36.0 passer rating in this area.
A good chunk of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s pass offense is predicated on making plays within this spot of the field. The good news is Garoppolo has already shown the ability to thrive hitting his targets here.
He just needs to get back to those numbers down the stretch.