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- Jimmy Garoppolo is a candidate to replace Carson Wentz in Indianapolis
- Radio host Colin Cowherd made an absurd comparison between the two passers
- Read more NFL news here
The Indianapolis Colts traded away starting QB Carson Wentz last week, sending the passer packing for Washington DC.
Wentz was traded to the Commanders where he’ll presumably take over under center in the NFC East. There’s a question as to whether that trade makes Washington any better, but fans are convincing themselves that the move was the right one as they try to catch up to the Eagles and Cowboys.
After just one season in Indy, the Wentz-Colts project ended.
There were reports of the signal caller’s attitude rubbing folks in the locker room the wrong way. His lack of leadership, resistance to coaching, and gunslinger mentality led teammates and management to turn their backs.
With Wentz on his way out, the Colts are beginning to look for replacement options. One of those picking up steam over the last few days is 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo.
Garoppolo helped lead San Francisco to the playoffs in 2021, where his team upset the Cowboys and top seeded Packers.
The 49ers fell in a three-point loss to eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles in the NFC Championship, but it was still a successful season.
Media Debates Best QB: Jimmy Garoppolo Or Carson Wentz?
With Garoppolo looking to be a legitimate replacement option, fans and media are beginning to debate whether he’s actually better than Carson Wentz.
Yes, Garoppolo was just a game away from the Super Bowl while Wentz missed the playoffs completely (a loss to the NFL’s worst team in Wk 18 sealed that fate). But these were two different quarterbacks in two different situations.
San Francisco had more weapons in the passing game while the Colts were more of a ground-and-pound with Jonathan Taylor at running back.
The passers finished with similar ratings. Garoppolo was at 98.7 while Wentz finished at 94.6.
Jimmy G threw for 3,810 yards and a 20:12 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Wentz ended with 3,563 yards, tossing 27 scores to just seven picks. Wentz also gives the threat of the run, providing more mobility than pocket passer Garoppolo, but Jimmy G probably has a leg up in leadership and off-field intangibles.
There are many ways to debate.
The wrong way, however, is an argument provided by Colin Cowherd last week on social media.
For all the Jimmy G is better than Carson Wentz chatter — they actually played this year. It wasn’t close. Wentz outplayed him. The internet has a box score and highlights and stuff.
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) March 10, 2022
Cowherd points to one single head-to-head matchup where Wentz outplayed Garoppolo. The Colts beat the 49ers that day 30-18 in a massive rainstorm. Neither quarterback threw for more than 200 yards.
Cowherd avoids looking at the full body of work, instead zeroing in on a single performance.
By these metrics, we could argue that Eli Manning is a better player than Tom Brady. Manning twice beat Brady in Super Bowls. Never mind that Brady led the Patriots to a perfect 16-0 regular season record in one of those seasons, or that Manning’s 2012 team barely made the playoffs before getting hot.
Manning is better because he outplayed Brady (twice), at least according to Cowherd.
It’s an awful argument. While Manning may border on Hall of Fame status, we can all agree that Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time.
Colin Cowherd Ripped For Ridiculous Comparison
Social media was quick to point out the flaw in Cowherd’s argument. They let him have it on Twitter.
Sounds like indisputable evidence to me.
— Funhouse (@BackAftaThis) March 10, 2022
Nick Foles beat Tom Brady in a pretty big game once.
— Joe Osborne (@JTFOz) March 10, 2022
Yea let’s judge QBs based off of a game that was played in a tsunami. Stop it Colin. Jimmy led a game tying and winning drive in a win and in game in week 18 vs the rams. Meanwhile wentz choked and couldn’t beat the jags in week 18
— BORN IN TEXAS RAISED IN IOWA (@tennessee987) March 10, 2022
For all the Aaron Rodgers is better than Jameis Winston chatter – they actually played this year. It wasn't close. Winston outplayed him. The internet has a box score and highlights and stuff. pic.twitter.com/Obrpgc6Niy
— anthony gadaleta (@gadsportsdata) March 10, 2022
Ahhhh so by your standards Colin, Jameis is better than Rodgers. And it wasn’t particularly close. Jameis outplayed him. The internet has a box score and highlights and stuff.
— NFL Guru Joe (@jhislop22) March 10, 2022
Are you really going to argue against his sample size of ONE GAME???
— Funhouse (@BackAftaThis) March 10, 2022
This is just a terrible take. The internet also has all of the stats from this past year. Check the h2h stats this year, it’s not even close. Jimmy G is better. More yards on less attempts, better averages in per throw and per game and a better rating. https://t.co/XxDeknSLf2
— Brian VanNostrand Jr (@Bvann14) March 11, 2022
— Cameron Salerno (@cameronsalerno1) March 10, 2022
The best way to determine which QB is better is always to go by one head-to-head game. That's why Jimmy G > Drew Brees.
— Alex Sherman (@sherman4949) March 10, 2022
(FWIW, Jimmy G had like 7 game-winning or game-tying drives this past season, and Wentz collapsed when it mattered most about Jacksonville. Pick your favorite metric!)
— Alex Sherman (@sherman4949) March 10, 2022
(especially when that one game was played in a monsoon)
— Tim Baysinger (@tim_bays) March 10, 2022
Ah yes the ole one game sample. Clownherd https://t.co/W3IQ1lUwRS
— Brady Pointer (@thepoint___) March 10, 2022
Ouch. Maybe Cowherd will take a deeper dive with his next QB comparison.