Chris Weinke has not started an NFL game in five years, but he'll get his chance this weekend. Jake Delhomme's damaged thumb ligaments are forcing the Panthers to turn to Weinke as their starter this weekend against the Giants.For the Panthers, this news isn't exactly catastrophic. Jake Delhomme has been, to put it generously, mediocre this year, and half of the fans in Carolina are calling for Weinke to start anyway. The last time Weinke saw meaningful playing time was in 2005 when he came off the bench to lead a game-winning fourth quarter touchdown drive against Detroit. The last time he had seen meaningful action before that, Matt Leinart was experiencing puberty.
Panthers head coach John Fox, to my knowledge, hasn't confirmed yet that Weinke's starting, but ESPN is reporting that it will be Weinke under center Sunday. It's likely that Fox is just reluctant to tip his hand to the Giants, but when Jake Delhomme misses three straight practices and is incapable of even gripping a football, it makes a secret like this difficult to keep.
Given Delhomme's performance this year, and how tight the NFC playoff race is, it's not a stretch to think that if Weinke plays well Sunday, the job might be his for the rest of the year. Given the Panthers predicament at 6-6, if Weinke gives the team a spark, John Fox can't afford to waste it.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
it doesn't matter as much whether its Weinke or Delhomme, it they call the same plays they're still gonna lose, and Chris does have a lot of rust to knock off
weinke goes to keyshawn johnson 10 receptions, for 130 yards and 3 tds
panthers 3rd an 20 What play does dan h. call ? draw play ! so predictable!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm French, so I may be processing this poorly... but does his name rhyme with "Spanky."
No, its pronouced Winky, rhymes with pinky.
Giants are udner the radar after losing l3games. Law of averages say NYGmen win against kittens...could be a low scoring game as both defenses step up.
I think Weinke steps up and win this game against a struggling Giant D.
At least this Winky guy doesn't share a name with a certain unfortunate mile-high Plummer, like Delhomme.
There has to be a defense in order for the Panthers to win. The Defense is praised but drastically lacking in ability. Several times when Weinke was 1-15 he had the Panthers ahead near the end of the game and they lost. Weinke was expected to be the savior, but with no game snaps he was destined for failure. Fox and sports writers every where has a bad outlook where Weinke is concerned. I watched him play College ball and think he has the ability to be a performer, if patience was a virture of fans and writers, we could expect more wins. He has been a proven leader as evidenced by the Heisman Award. Lets wake up and not jump to conclusions without giving the man a chance.