Jake Delhomme's Nightmare

Charlotte, N.C. -- Jake Delhomme sat at the post-game podium and initially didn't know what to say.

"I'm at a loss for words," he explained. "For one reason or another, I didn't give us a chance tonight. It's disappointing. I don't know what else to say."

How does Delhomme bounce back from this? Can he seriously return to the Panthers next year after a six turnover day in the playoffs with five interceptions?

The best franchises don't overreact to one game even a game as bad as this one. But the Panthers have to be absolutely disturbed.

Delhomme's 34 and that's not ancient but he's not 21 any more and it seems Bad Jake is starting to appear more frequently than Good Jake.

Now the Panthers have to decide if they should get rid of both.

bad reputation Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Aug 26, 2006	Posted on: January 11, 2009 1:20 am Score: 86 Jake Delhomme's Nightmare That was a disgusting performance by Jake D. They need to jettison this guy into the unemployment line. [ Reply to Comment ]
jothebartender Reputation: 87 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 27, 2008	Posted on: January 11, 2009 1:27 am Score: 27 FORGET JAKE!! posters, freeman and others... lets not crucify jake...how about we applaud the great play of the cards.......remember mr. freeman, without boldin they didn`t stand a chance as you most professionally wrote... i responded to your "boldin is the key" blog with the question of "why not."..you, me and millions of other football goers have seen bigger upsets than this and i think its time we realize that maybe, just maybe arizona has some much needed momentum and confidense... many great qbs have had some aweful nights. lets not jump ship on jake...... [ Reply to Comment ]
TallWhiteNinja Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 22, 2007	Posted on: January 11, 2009 1:48 am Score: 87 Jake Delhomme's Nightmare Honestly, given the amount of complete duds running around at the quarterback position, I'm not sure they can do better. Tonight was horrendous, but I think there's enough of Good Jake left to outperform most anyone else they can get for next year, unless they can pull a miracle like Matt Ryan out of the draft. I'd keep him, but start getting a replacement warmed up and waiting in the wings. [ Reply to Comment ]
Chitownace84 Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 3, 2006	Posted on: January 11, 2009 1:52 am Score: 88 Jake Delhomme's Nightmare lets not go crazy it certainly was a performance that would make rex grossman say man thats bad (ironically against the same team) but the Colts didnt jettison there qb to the unemployment line after his 6int game and he later won an MVP so a bad game can just be a bad game, its the same guy that played well in a superbowl not that long ago, plus you cant just replace him with anything better anyway [ Reply to Comment ]
Goat on Fire Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 3, 2006	Posted on: January 11, 2009 2:09 am Score: 92 Jake Delhomme's Nightmare I haven't seen a playoff performance by a QB that bad since Brett Favre threw 6 picks against the Rams a few years ago. Brett was probably only 34 at that point, so bouncing back and lingering in the league for quite a few more years is possible even after a performance like that. [ Reply to Comment ]
The Mick Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 26, 2006	Posted on: January 11, 2009 2:15 am Score: 93 Jake Delhomme's Nightmare "The best franchises don't overreact to one game even a game as bad as this one. But the Panthers have to be absolutely disturbed." So, Freeman, are you saying the Panthers are not a good franchise? [ Reply to Comment ]
HPD3622 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 23, 2006	Posted on: January 11, 2009 3:16 am Score: 89 Jake Delhomme's Nightmare Jake's real nightmare was the realization that the Panthers got to where they were this season on the back of their running game. Everyone wanted to give Delhomme all the credit, overlooking DeSangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. That running game is rivaled only by the Giants' one-two punch. It took sooooo much pressure off the ppassing game, forcing the defense to beware the big run, that he could throw all day during the regular season. The Cards forced them out of the running game and dared Delhomey to beat them, and he couldn't. How about a great big WELL DONE to the Arizona coaching staff? I'm not even a Cards' fan, but that game plan was awesome. [ Reply to Comment ]
AaronWilder Reputation: 38 Level: Rookie Since: Feb 8, 2007	Posted on: January 11, 2009 3:34 am Score: 53 Jake Delhomme is the Nightmare Delhomme played so badly that at one point I actually wondered if he was shaving points. He is not a great quarterbackby a longshot. He's a career back-up who is lucky enough to have an outstanding receiver like Steve Smith to throw to (see Daunte Culpepper/Randy Moss). Steve Smith is always his first read and he either forces the ball to Smith in coverage or holds the ball too long because he doesn't check down on his other routes. He also pats the ball when he throws to any other receiver except for Smith, which we all know from watching Any Given Sunday is a huge no-no because it tips coverage off. I honestly believe he's the main reason it's next to impossible to develop a #2 receive behind Smith. Thank goodness for aging veterans like Keyshawn and Moose who can come in and actually produce something at the spot. The Panthers need to do everything they can to get another passer in to compete for the job. Matt Cassel maybe? Matthew Stafford or Sam Bradford in the draft? Throw the Fins a draft pick for John Beck, who is basically a younger Delhomme? They also need to get a franchise TE who can be a better safety net than Jeff King or Dante Rosario, though that might be another Delhomme issue. John Fox should also be ashamed. If Steve Smith has zero catches you have to find a way to get him involved in the game. There's no reason with your season on the line that you wouldn't put Smith back to return one of the several punts in the second half. At least it would give their main playmaker the ball in his hands. Or throw a wide receiver screen while the Cards have their DBs dropped back a few steps to deal with Smith's burst off the line. Run a reverse. Anything. [ Reply to Comment ]
highdesertanglr Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 9, 2008	Posted on: January 11, 2009 6:19 am Score: 52 Jake Delhomme's Nightmare Concur 100%. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart were the source of the Panthers' success and they were completely irrelevant in the game with the Cardinals. However, for the future, the Panthers really need to start thinking about other options at QB - if the Cardinals found a way to shut them down, other teams can and will follow their recipe next year. I don't think Jake is up to the challenge. [ Reply to Comment ]
runvs98 Reputation: 83 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 5, 2006	Posted on: January 11, 2009 6:42 am Score: 81 Jake Delhomme's Nightmare Wait a minute! I thought Brett Favre only threw intercepts in the Playoffs! [ Reply to Comment ]

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