What Does Jake Delhomme Need To Do To Be Benched?
Word comes today that Jake Delhomme will remain the Panthers’ starter as the team prepares for a Week 8 showdown against the Cardinals. Delhomme is actually coming off one of his better games of the season -- 27-of-44 for 325 yards -- but (and there’s always a but with these stats) he had zero TDs and three interceptions. ↵↵If you’re keeping count, Delhomme has 30 interceptions dating back to the beginning of last season and counting postseason play. Other QBs are close (Jay Cutler has 28, Brett Favre has 25) but Delhomme also has a paltry 20 TDs compared to 36 by Cutler and 34 by Favre over that same timespan. Even more astonishing is the fact that Delhomme achieved such prolific futility in significantly fewer pass attempts than anyone else. Delhomme checks in with 625 attempts to 825 by Cutler and 751 by Favre.↵
↵↵But Carolina coach John Fox will trot Delhomme out back under center this week against the team that ended their season, unceremoniously dumping the Panthers 33-13 in Charlotte. Delhomme tossed five picks that day.↵
↵↵It begs the question: When is it time to go another direction?↵
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↵For Panthers fans, the answer was probably after Week 1. When Delhomme threw four interceptions against the Eagles, everyone had to have a horrible case of déjà vu at Bank of America Stadium. Things haven't really improved. The Panthers aren't in any position to even think about the playoffs. They aren't winning the South and catching New Orleans. Thanks to their 2-4 start, it's unlikely they'd be able to jump past anyone for one of the two wild-card spots, either. Worse yet, the team doesn't own a first-round pick to draft a QB this year.↵
↵↵If there’s any reason to start Delhomme against Arizona, it’s that it could be the only win that would salvage some confidence at this point. Turning around and defeating Arizona, a team that humiliated him in the playoffs, could be just what Delhomme needs to get his mind right. It’s probably his last stand. If it doesn’t work -- and watching the way the Cardinals handled the Giants last week, that’s no stretch -- where do they go from here?↵
↵↵Start Matt Moore ... because he’s the closest thing to a young QB in waiting you’ve got, so you might as well see what he can do. Moore saw action in 2007 as a rookie, so he isn’t completely without experience. He didn’t blow anyone away though, but the team did go 2-1 in the final there games of his rookie season. If you have even an inkling that you’re going to need him next season, give him the keys for the remaining nine games.↵
↵↵Start A.J. Feeley ... because he has greater experience than Moore, and it’s less clear to the team that you’re totally giving up on the season. Putting in a vet with experience says “we’re still trying, so you should, too.” Putting in Moore says “we’re going to Home Depot to grab some spackle and sheetrock.” Feeley has been a competent player in spurts during his career. Can he really do any worse?↵
↵↵Make like the Dolphins and dish out a healthy Wildcat package ... because you’ve got the guys to do it. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart were a lethal rushing tandem last season. With no threat of a passing game and a traditional run attack, they’re largely wasted at the moment. The only player who is being utilized even worse is Steve Smith, who has declared that he’s no longer an asset to the team. Picture a backfield with those three players constantly in motion, never knowing where to send your linebackers. You occasionally slide Feeley into the mix, and at least you’re able to keep games close. The Carolina defense isn’t bad, so this makes games more manageable for them as well.↵
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This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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