49ers' Marsh knew Garoppolo would play well 'before anybody'

Defensive end Cassius Marsh predicted the San Francisco 49ers would experience a positive change soon after he joined the team, which sat 1-9 at the time.

He knew it had its franchise quarterback in former New England Patriots teammate Jimmy Garoppolo.

"I know we can do some great things. Jimmy G came in - I already knew that was going to happen. I called it before anybody," Marsh said Thursday, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.

"I knew (he was going to play well) because I was with the Patriots and he would shred our defense every day. He'd shred the first team every day, and it looked no different than when Tom (Brady) was on the field. He's a much better athlete than Tom; he's super disciplined and works hard. I'm very happy to have him as my quarterback," said Marsh.

The 49ers acquired Garoppolo from the Patriots on Oct. 30 ahead of their Week 9 game against the Arizona Cardinals. He spent his first two games watching from the sideline but made his debut following the 49ers' bye in relief of C.J. Beathard, in what was going to be a blowout loss to the Seahawks in Week 12.

Marsh arrived in time for Garoppolo's first appearance and wondered why he had been on the bench up until that point.

"Nothing against C.J. because I think he did a great job for being a rookie and having very little experience. He's a great kid, and he's got a ton of potential and I think he's a hell of a quarterback, too. But I knew what kind of quarterback (Garoppolo) was, and I called it: I said as soon as he touches the field, if he touches the field, look out," Marsh said.

Garoppolo started the final five games of the season and went undefeated.

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