NFL Notes: Jimmy Garoppolo, Rams, Saints

Jimmy Garoppolo

An AFC scout tells Mike Giardi of CSN New England that he believes the Patriots are serious about keeping Jimmy Garoppolo.

“He’s Bill Belichick. He doesn’t give a [damn] about what you, or me or anyone else thinks,” the scout said. “I know teams called about Garoppolo. I don’t believe they were ever given a realistic price. Why? To me, the answer is simple: Bill thinks he’s got the next great one. I watched his snaps. I think he can be that. [Garoppolo] has a great base, and his mechanics are close enough to [Brady] that you appreciate his willingness to learn and the coaching he’s gotten there.”

Meanwhile, a former Patriots player believes the Browns would have been a “borderline playoff team” had they traded for Garoppolo.

“I played against him every day in practice. He’s all that,” the anonymous Patriots’ player said. “Why? “He can make all the throws. He can process all the information. He is a gamer. He can slow it down. He can spin it. I’m going tell you this, if he had gotten traded to Cleveland, they’re a borderline playoff team. I really believe that.”

Rams

• Tom Pelissero of USA Today reports that the Rams are expected to hire former Broncos GM Brian Xanders, who will serve in a senior personnel role capacity for the team.

Saints

• Nick Underhill reports that the Saints have hired Ryan Herman to serve as an analyst.