Jake Delhomme is the undoubted goat of the Carolina Panthers' failures last season, because of the That should make the news that the Cats are talking contract extension with the 34-year-old quarterback go over quite smoothly with the Carolina faithful.
And that news is reality, as both the John Fox and Delhomme's agent, Rick Smith, confirmed as much Wednesday, according to ITP.
But before fans go diving into the nearest highway, there are two important things to remember here. One, which is basically a rehash of Fox's quote, is that Delhomme's not a bad quarterback. He had a really, really bad game. And he's never been Peyton Manning or Tom Brady anyway. He's been a wily comeback type of guy and often times a game manager for a team that prefers to run first.
And secondly -- and probably more importantly -- is that Delhomme counts $11 million against the Panthers' heavily strained salary cap next season. If Carolina can work out an extension with the quarterback, it's a near lock that number will come down and the contract will feature a nice signing bonus, or something to entice Delhomme into sacrificing the money difference in 2009. (Because otherwise, he'll simply say "Thanks, but no thanks" and point out how many teams need quarterbacks, or overpaid backups, a la Mittens.)
The Panthers have said since after the Arizona game that Delhomme was "their guy" and there's no reason to think that will change between now and training camp, particularly the unlikely chance that Fox would roll into next year with a rookie quarterback running the show.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-25-2009 @ 7:52PM
gmatclr said...
Why, so they can keep losing?
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3-28-2009 @ 5:28PM
simplyredd83 said...
LMAO..., WHILE I CLAP WILDLY WITH SO MUCH LAUGHTER BECAUSE SOMEONE(many I'm sure)ELSE AGREES WITH THIS EXACT COMMENT. AND I AM A PANTHER FAN!! I EVEN THINK THAT PEPPERS WOULD STAY IF THEY GOT RID OF JAKE!! FIRST & FOREMOST HE(PEPPERS) WANTS TO WIN THAT RING AS THEY ALL DO. THE RUNNING GAME IS IN PLAY AND DOMINATING AND SO ARE THE RECEIVERS. THE ISSUE NOW IS A QUARTERBACK. IF THEY WANT TO KEEP JAKE FINE, IT'S CALLED 2ND STRING IN CASE THE STARTER GETS INJURED! FOX IS TOO CONSERVATIVE IN PLAY CALLING & ON TOP OF THAT WANTS TO KEEP JAKE. I LIKE JOHN FOX BUT IF HE STILL BELIEVES JAKE IS THE 1, THEN BOTH THOSE 1'S NEED TO GO. !!!!!
3-26-2009 @ 9:22AM
soulcitysigma1914 said...
yippee...
well, i will say one thing, Jake doesn't deserve ALL the blame for the Cards game back in the playoffs. The panthers inexplicably went pass-first on their second possession of that game, knowing that that's not the type of football they are supposed to play. Jake had been throwing lollipops all season, there was no reason to think things would be different that game. What we need to see now is whether or not he can finally adjust to his new elbow strength this coming season, because it was obvious to me all season that he hadn't figured out how to throw appropriately after the elbow surgery; it seemed like every pass had too much mustard on it; Steve Smith can't save you every time...
But it's time for the Panthers to also put a little bit of faith in Matt Moore, the guy that people like Mr. Brinson here never mention every time they speak about if the panthers are going to go for a rookie qb. apparently the league has forgotten that the guy went 2-1 as a starter his rookie year, beat a playoff Seahawks team, and hung w/ the cowboys even with the refs cheating him even when his receiving options were primarily Keary Colbert, Drew Carter and TE Jeff King (I do like King, btw). Moore may or may not be the QB of the future for Carolina but the problem I see is that nobody is giving him much of a chance, and yet I can't remember who the guy was but the same guy who worked w/ Tom Brady and Tony Romo and said those guys needed a chance has also worked with Moore and said he needed a chance.
Carolina is sure that Jake is their guy and that's a shame because i want to see an open QB competition at camp but it won't happen. It is time to restructure Jake and phase him into backup status and let Moore sink or swim. We know what Jake can do and it's not going to get us to the Superbowl again (we didn't get to the SB because of Jake so much as because of Stephen Davis, but back then Jake knew his throwing strength, it was pre-surgery). I'd like to see if Moore could be the one to get us back to the Superbowl
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3-28-2009 @ 6:20PM
simplyredd83 said...
I totally agree with you about Matt Moore. I watched this guy really work hard when Panthers had to play musical QBs. I saw a lot of promise in him and believed that HE COULD/WOULD BE the one to get them to the SB. All he had to prove then was that he was more than capable and I believe HE DID JUST THAT!! Not exactly sure of the date but he broke his leg or something this past season which is why he didn't get a chance to play. They placed him on 3rd string and McCown 2nd. Not sure he would've played anyway because Fox seems to be TOO focused on Jake playing. NO QB should be given 4 quarters to get on track(again)!! And no head coach should give them that chance ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU STILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO WIN THE GAME WITHOUT LOOKING FOR 2 OR 3 MIRACLES(touchdowns) AND POSSIBLY A 2PT CONVERSION!!! Sure I believe in miracles but when the "STARTING QB" is showing no positive signs of improving in the game at hand...SIT HIS A** DOWN!!! Panthers can keep Jake but make him back-up to Moore. That way if/when he's needed, he'll have to work at being more consistent completing passes to "Panther" receivers to prove that he is still a starter!! Every time I think about how good Kerry Collins is now, knowing that he WAS a Panther, I just shake my head. If FOX isn't careful, Moore is going to end up somewhere else showing the world that he's that good and all he needed was a chance to prove it!
3-26-2009 @ 9:56AM
lj1983 said...
its all about money...carolina is jammed against that salary cap with the Julius peppers situation (its been helped alittle by releasing Ken Lucas) and extending jake 1 or 2 years ( and projecting him as a veteran back up maybe that last year or so) will lower his cap hit and help carolina out this offseason. 11 mil is a huge cap hit
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3-26-2009 @ 10:52AM
soulcitysigma1914 said...
agreed
3-26-2009 @ 7:33PM
D-Mack said...
Wow, I think I WILL go dive in the nearest highway now
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3-28-2009 @ 6:59PM
becarefulangel said...
Well, he wasn't *terrible* last year. Like it or not, any QB that leads his team to the playoffs is a good QB. Good for the Panthers, and hopefully Delhomme will get used to throwing again.
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3-28-2009 @ 7:21PM
simplyredd83 said...
"Delhomme's not a bad quarterback. He had a really, really bad game. And he's never been Peyton Manning or Tom Brady anyway." Wow, I can't believe Fox!!!! The Panther running game was phenomenal this past season. I don't think anyone will disagree with that fact. Has Jake gotten that lazy being so dependent on the running game that when it was almost completely shutdown he panicked and couldn't complete passes? No, he's definitely not "Brady or Manning". If there's an available QB out there like them then direct him (or her, lol) to Carolina,the Panthers will take him!!!(It could be M.Moore but he needs to be healthy and get a fair chance to prove it!!) Jake Delhomme has proven that he could be a good QB. Maybe it's just not there anymore! Thank God his surgery was a success, but what good is he doing himself or the team when he can't consistently control his passes? Maybe he needs more time to get that under control, but that time should not be all 4 quarters of a playoff game. Okay, I've seen coaches get fired because their teams can't make it past the first game in the playoffs. It may be a wildcard spot but they get in for 2 or 3 years straight, but they can't seem to get past the 1st or 2nd games. They didn't blame or fire the players, all that blame was placed on the coaches. So if that's the case Fox...I guess I've been seeing this all wrong! I shouldn't be blaming Jake for playing "really,really, bad games" at the most critical times, I should be blaming you! This is a team sport where if the team leader or "game manager" on the field doesn't play well, odds are that the team loses the game. Fox, I think you are a great coach! But because of all this confusion about what NEEDS to be done for the Panthers to get the ring, it could cost you more than you think. Obviously you're not fired "yet" but I'd be careful if I were you. You're trying so hard to save Jake's neck that you won't even see the ax swinging your way!
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3-30-2009 @ 8:11AM
Welcome,Clairway said...
John Fox should be fired...Bill Cowher is holding out waiting for it to happen and we are too stupid to see it..Fox has too much of a friendly relationship with his players and needs to go..We need someone like Cowher to raise hell with them when they mess up or slack off ...We have got to have a qb now, delhomme may get us to the playoffs again , but our time has come for a franchise qb.Although we dont have a no. 1 pick this year , luckily there isnt a qb in this draft we could somehow give up Peppers for.. I think we need to go after Leftwich , although i love the Steelers.. McCown is decent , but no star..Moore is not the future of this or any other team, although with Deangelo and Stewart , hell, i can hand off the ball without fumbling it...Send Peppers to Denver for Cutler...We have a dynasty in the making with a new coach , the o-line is great , the running game is one of the best , receivers are right, although Jarrett needs to play to potential...Our d is decent even without Pep..Beason is a beast and one of the best in the league , along with Davis..We need a better secondary, Gamble and Godfrey are no playmakers..If we dont get a qb soon, Steve Smith will pull a Peppers next year and demand traded, and i wouldnt blame him...He deserves a ring
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4-03-2009 @ 11:40PM
A Martin said...
I hate to even say it because the man is so much trouble but Michael Vick is one heck of a QB. It would never happen but I can dream!
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4-06-2009 @ 6:07PM
Mike said...
Please Please Please Panthers trade Peppers so that you can sign at least one free agent! This has been an excruciating off season! I love Jake but Jeff Garcia was waiting most of the off season for his phone to ring only to end up in Oakland! Garcia is a good QB and would have made a nice addition to the Carolina squad. Carolina only has 5 draft picks and I'm hoping they will move Peppers to move up in the draft or get something in exchange for him and that $17M! Go Panthers in 2009!
Michael-Panther Fan in AZ
Worried about a long season in Carolina!!!!!!!!
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4-08-2009 @ 7:54PM
Lisa said...
I love the Carolina Panthers But if they signed Michael Vick I would never be a fan again. Any team that signs him is sorry. He needs to continue doing his construction job and stay the hell away from the NFL. That said I hope Jake is replaced with just about any other QB except Vick-aka dog killer!!!!
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4-13-2009 @ 11:50PM
David said...
Let me guess.... your a Animal lover???? Why do people say Vick shouldn't play?? What about all the players who get caught doing drugs?? Yes I think Vick did wrong!! But if he pays he's dues I think they should let him come back.... But I believe in second chances... That's just me...
4-15-2009 @ 3:21PM
george said...
Joke delhomme,, i'm a panthers fan also, get rid of him as it looked like to me vs. cards he was the 10th man out , got a great b-day present from some rich a-hole from az.
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4-23-2009 @ 12:22AM
teeman83 said...
I been a fan of the panthers since they started! FOX and DEL_HOME are freakin stankin it up! DEL_Home needs to go! We need a new quarterback...i cant believe Fox said that" Well his not a bad quarterback, he just a bad, bad, bad game! MUTHA#(%$()!! It was the damn playoffs! and he blew it! Everybody else is in place, but our quarterback! I swear if i seen DELHOME on the street id tell him he sucks when it counts to his face! MOCK MY WORDS "WE WILL NOT GET ANOTHER RING TILL WE GET A QUARTERBACK!"
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