[OutsiderFan]

How many games does it take to tell if a guy has "it" as a QB? After he came in cold to play against the Dolphins when Garoppolo left the field, many people remained skeptical of Brock Purdy. Colin Cowherd proclaimed the Niners' Super Bowl hopes were over. Other people said "wait until the league can figure him out."  

After the WC game, reporters asked Kyle Shanahan the obligatory "are you surprised by what Purdy did today in his first playoff game?"" question (after asking it for the 5 previous weeks).  Shanahan flat out said no, noting just doing what he did against the Dolphins proved his ability. And he added that playoff games aren't unique from others, except for if you lose your season ends.  The point he was making is every NFL game is really hard and teams do everything they can to win. IOW, Shanahan had a pretty good idea what to expect form Purdy in his first playoff game because he's proven what he can do already.  And he didn't say it, but the fact is the Niners cut Nate Sudfeld before the season started and kept Purdy on the roster. Shanahan saw so much from Purdy since they had him that they were not gonna risk losing him to another team by trying to sign Purdy to their practice squad.

If Shanahan isn't surprised by Purdy, it might be time to stop being skeptical about him, rookie or not.

[OutsiderFan]

How many games does it take to tell if a guy has "it" as a QB? After he came in cold to play against the Dolphins when Garoppolo left the field, many people remained skeptical of Brock Purdy. Colin Cowherd proclaimed the Niners' Super Bowl hopes were over. Other people said "wait until the league can figure him out."  

After the WC game, reporters asked Kyle Shanahan the obligatory "are you surprised by what Purdy did today in his first playoff game?"" question (after asking it for the 5 previous weeks).  Shanahan flat out said no, noting just doing what he did against the Dolphins proved his ability. And he added that playoff games aren't unique from others, except for if you lose your season ends.  The point he was making is every NFL game is really hard and teams do everything they can to win. IOW, Shanahan had a pretty good idea what to expect form Purdy in his first playoff game because he's proven what he can do already.  And he didn't say it, but the fact is the Niners cut Nate Sudfeld before the season started and kept Purdy on the roster. Shanahan saw so much from Purdy since they had him that they were not gonna risk losing him to another team by trying to sign Purdy to their practice squad.

If Shanahan isn't surprised by Purdy, it might be time to stop being skeptical about him, rookie or not.