Delhomme To Remain Panthers QB
Since we had a favorite football team long before the “Charlotte” Panthers came into the NFL, the ups and downs of the North Carolina franchise don’t really impact us one way or the other.
We’re not Panther fans, and barring an unforeseen lobotomy we aren’t going to become Panther fans anytime soon.
We are, however, fans of Schadenfreude – which for you “Carolina” fans on the South Carolina side of the border is a German term that refers to the derivation of pleasure from the misfortune of others.
Speaking of, the Karolina Kittens are (awwww) struggling a bit this year, bringing an anemic 2-4 record into a Week 8 matchup with the defending NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals.
Too bad, right?
Anyway, the crux of the problem has been the spotty (alright, shitty) play of quarterback Jake Delhomme, the Panthers’ seventh-year starter. Through just six games, Delhomme has thrown an NFL-leading thirteen interceptions – which for those of you who don’t follow football are passes thrown to the wrong team.
In Sunday’s 20-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Delhomme threw another three picks – leading to two Buffalo touchdowns.
By contrast, Delhomme had just twelve interceptions in sixteen games a year ago.
Carolina has three other quarterbacks on its roster – all of them with multiple NFL starts under their belts. You’d think the Panthers might play one of them against the Cardinals next Sunday, right?
Wrong.
Panthers’ head coach John Fox is sticking with Delhomme, whose 56.5 passer rating ranks 32nd in the league.
We’ll be checking out the Panthers for ourselves in two weeks, and we’ll be sure to bring back a full report.
Stay tuned …
Comments
By Steve V on October 28th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
I really think Delhomme is colorblind…thus all the interceptions.
By Calhoun Fawls on October 28th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
I am a true Panthers fan. I have went to their games. I have pulled for them since they existed. That said, Jake Delhomme has helped my local ABC package store sales. If you are a Gamecock and and Panther fan, something has to numb the pain.
That said, the Panthers are easy to figure out. When they have a bad year, they get an easier schedule the next year, thus Jake gets better numbers and the Panthers win more games. Then, they get a tougher schedule and suck. Evan Williams and diet coke, please.
By Tom on October 29th, 2009 at 6:48 am
John Fox will probably be gone at seasons end and when he goes, so too will JD’s career with the Panthers.
By Hal I. on October 29th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Go Falcons! Go Delhomme!
By Darkseid616 on October 29th, 2009 at 10:21 am
This is just the start;can’t wait until the Panthers start looking for a new city to move to; can we say Los Angles Panthers? Why would anyone want to put a pro team in a city like Charlotte (or Raleigh)? The Carolina’s are a reason for retro-active abortions!!
By Struz on October 29th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Tom I totally agree. I don’t know what kind of man-love fest Fox and Delhomme are having, but it needs to stop. Fox acts like this is the first year that Delhomme has played like shit.
By Hal I. on October 29th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Struz, what are you taling a/b he’s played almost exactly the same since he got to Carolina, that’s where his value is derived from: consistency. With Delhomme you know you’re getting 3000 yds, a handful more TD’s than INT’s, and roughly 60% completion %age. Is he going to single-handedly take you to the playoffs? Of course not. But he’s been a fine QB for a run first team (as evidenced by a conference championship, a conference runner-up, and another playoff appearance in his 6 or so yrs as QB). Look around the league (or on your own roster), there aren’t even enough quality back-ups, let alone quality starters. Delhomme is awful this year and it’s time to start thinking a/b a change, but don’t act like this has been in the cards all along. There’s a reason his teammates came out in his defense earlier this year.
By sid on October 29th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Statistically, Delhomme has always been a marginal quarterback. He has always been a hot-and-cold player. They should have been looking for a replacement for years, but maybe they’ve kept hoping for the hot to take hold. Too bad his one shot at glory in the SB was a loss. He played great, in one of the best SBs ever. If you like a lot of offense, at least. Looks like he’s done as a starter (once they finally bench him), but could have a few good years left as a backup.
By K Trane on October 29th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Jake threw 5 picks in the first round of the NFL Playoffs last season leading to an inevitable loss. For some reason they re-signed him with a huge contract. I also met him at a Firehouse Subs in Charlotte and was not surprised to find out he’s a dick.
By political hack on October 29th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Jake is pretty shitty. The team who is sponsored by the most Facist Gangster Bank organized under Delaware law has too many studs to have not been to the Super Bowl and at least won the fucking thing.
By Richard on October 29th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Starting Jake again is a bold move for Coach Fox. Failure here could cost him his job. If he started Moore, the backup qb,Fox could at least say he tried something different.Rolling the dice!