SANTA CLARA — It has only been two days of organized team activities, but Richard Sherman already is impressed by what Jimmy Garoppolo has done.
The 49ers quarterback was on the field participating in 7-on-7 drills on the practice field and Sherman believes the signal-caller wasn’t been holding back. Sherman saw confidence in his quarterback with the type of throws he was making as well as the way he was moving.
"Jim was threading it today,” the 49ers star corner said. “He got the ball right where he wanted to. Obviously, he's been limited, but today he had a lot of reps and looked really good. He was putting the ball in risky spots, real confident throws. He completed every single one of them.”
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Sherman also detailed a throw that impressed him enough that he had to have a word with Garoppolo a few moments later. Sherman was the defensive back that was covering Jordan Matthews, who was the intended receiver on a dig route.
“He threaded one kind of right by my fingertip,” Sherman said. “It was a play that I kind of just tried to jump. It wasn't really my responsibility but I just wanted to go for it because I thought I could get it done. And he threw a ball where if the receiver doesn’t get it, there’s no way I can get, but if he throws it anywhere else, I can take it.
“It was just a great ball and a great throw from him. It was just exactly what you want to see from your quarterback, moving on in his rehab, and where he is in the process. To be only in day two and be able to make those throws already is a great compliment.”
Garoppolo said he is happy just to be back in the huddle, enjoying the camaraderie with his teammates, including the veteran cornerback.
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“It was cool,” Garoppolo said. “Even if it’s just a little trash talk in between series or whatever it is. It’s a nice feeling to be back out there and get in the huddle guys and looking them in the eyes. It’s the little things like that.”
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Did Sherman get as close to the ball as he said he did?
Garoppolo replied with a laugh, “He was close, I don’t know if he got there though.”