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Panthers offense packs a punch with Delhomme
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| Jake Delhomme played only three games a year ago before undergoing major surgery on his throwing arm. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images) |
Jake Delhomme.
Other passers like Tom Brady, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers dominated Week 1 NFL headlines for various reasons. That vaunted San Diego was upset by the visiting Carolina Panthers became a bigger story than Delhomme's heroics in an unprecedented return from major elbow surgery.
Panthers left tackle Jordan Gross isn't surprised.
"Jake's definitely underrated," Gross said. "If he were playing in New York, Chicago or some bigger market, he would definitely be getting more attention."
Delhomme deserves the spotlight entering Sunday's home game against the Bears. Consider this:
Not that Delhomme is ever mentioned in the same breath as those quarterbacks.
NFL Week 17
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Week 17 action
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Vikings 20, Giants 19 -- Recap | Box
Panthers 33, Saints 31 -- Recap | Box
Packers 31, Lions 21 -- Recap | Box
Falcons 31, Rams 27 -- Recap | Box
Texans 31, Bears 24 -- Recap | Box
Patriots 13, Bills 0 -- Recap | Box
Colts 23, Titans 0 -- Recap | Box
Steelers 31, Browns 0 -- Recap | Box
Raiders 31, Bucs 24 -- Recap | Box
Bengals 16, Chiefs 6 -- Recap | Box
Eagles 44, Cowboys 6 -- Recap | Box
Dolphins 24, Jets 17 -- Recap | Box
49ers 27, Redskins 24 -- Recap | Box
Ravens 27, Jaguars 7 -- Recap | Box
Cardinals 34, 'Hawks 24 -- Recap | Box
Chargers 52, Broncos 21 -- Recap | Box
Analysis
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"Let's be honest: I do think I fly under the radar," Delhomme told FOXSports.com this week. "I'm extremely comfortable and happy with that. I think a lot of that is because the Panthers are still young as an (NFL) franchise. But for me, I wouldn't want it any other way.
"We have superstars on our team like Julius Peppers and Steve Smith. I'm just a piece of the puzzle."
Without Delhomme, Carolina's jigsaw would still sport a hole as large as the one discovered near his right elbow. Despite his strong start last year, Delhomme could no longer tolerate the escalating pain in his throwing arm and underwent season-ending surgery.
Although the arm was sore for years, Delhomme's injury was worse than initially suspected. In fact, it's believed no quarterback had ever fully recuperated from such extensive damage.
It wasn't just an elbow ligament that needed replacement through what is known as Tommy John surgery. Delhomme also had bone chips removed and his forearm muscle repaired.
The Panthers were justified this off-season to seek a replacement for an ailing 33-year-old. Instead, Carolina brass placed its trust in Delhomme, a stringent rehabilitation program and surgical advances that made a full recovery more likely than in previous years.
The Panthers were rewarded for their faith on the final play against San Diego.
A scrambling Delhomme pump-faked with such ferocity that a structurally unsound elbow might have exploded. He then reared back and threw, generating the kind of velocity that two former NFL quarterbacks (Rob Johnson and Craig Erickson) lacked after their Tommy John surgeries.
A 14-yard touchdown pass was rifled through two defenders to tight end Dante Rosario, giving Carolina a 26-24 victory as time expired. Delhomme finished 23 of 41 passing for 247 yards with no interceptions against a defense that had an NFL-high 30 last season.
"I don't think you could ask for a better story," Gross said. "He comes into an away game against a very good defense and leads us on a no-huddle, 11-play drive with that throw at the end. He was pretty excited about it."
Gross said Delhomme is no longer privately complaining of elbow pain or using as much ice during post-practice cool-downs. Delhomme also hasn't lost his nerve. He has now led 14 fourth-quarter or overtime drives for victories. Delhomme also came within an Adam Vinatieri field goal of leading a Carolina upset of New England in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
"He just brings so much confidence to the whole team but the offense especially," Gross said. "We just feel like good decisions are going to be made. The epitome came on that last drive against San Diego. Just knowing there's time on the clock, we've still got a chance with him."
Carolina had no chance in 2007 with their backup quarterbacks. Vinny Testaverde was too old, rookie Matt Moore too young and David Carr too awful. A preseason Super Bowl favorite, Carolina lost eight of its final 13 games to place head coach John Fox and general manager Marty Hurney on the hot seat.
More offensive problems were expected early in 2008 with Smith suspended for the first two games following a preseason fight with teammate Ken Lucas. That left Carolina without the services of its star wide receiver against two of the NFL's top defenses in San Diego and Chicago.
Even so, the Chargers game showed Carolina has a better offense this season — and not solely because of Delhomme's return. The Panthers have surrounded their quarterback with a revamped line and better skill-position players.
DeAngelo Williams forms a much more effective running back tandem with bruising rookie Jonathan Stewart than he ever did with the departed DeShaun Foster. Rosario is emerging as the big-play tight end the Panthers have lacked since the days of Wesley Walls. Even without Smith, the Panthers are upgraded at wideout with two offseason additions (Muhsin Muhammad and D.J. Hackett) and the improvement of 2007 second-round draft pick Dwayne Jarrett.
Delhomme said the unit's talent reminds him of when he led the Panthers to an NFC Championship in 2003.
"I know it's so tough to get to a Super Bowl," he said. "The big thing is getting our foot in the door for the playoffs."
The wider the door swings open, the more consideration Delhomme will receive for NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Just don't expect this humble Cajun to lobby for the honor.
"Jake's not looking for any credit," Gross said. "He doesn't do anything incredibly flashy. He just does his job and does it really well. I think sometimes people don't take notice of that."
They should if the Panthers improve to 2-0 by defeating Chicago.
Member Comments
JAKE IS THE REAL DEAL.<br />GET A GRIP CHICAGO FANS, YOUR BEARS TOOK A BEATIN'.
bigholmes79/14/2008 18:00:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
WELL...ITS TIME FOR CAROLINA TO STAND UP..BELIEVE IN NOW 2009..NEW YORK GIANTS 2008...TWO TEAMS UNDERRATED RISIN AGANIST THE ODDS
brooklyn14x9/14/2008 17:44:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
OK, all you Bears fans can go some where else to talk trash, Delhomme beat you with ANOTHER 4th qtr drive. They don't call them the Cardiac Cats for nothing. You guys just don't learn, do you? You can't beat Delhomme if it's still close in the 4th.
mbzguy9/14/2008 13:19:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Just a couple of things to say ...... then it's off to the BBQ'ing and games.<br /><br />Its okay that Delhomme doesn't get the attention like some of the others. He's good, he knows it, the fans know it. Why take on the added stress of being in the lime light? The Panthers might just quietly win more games this year than what anybody thinks.<br /><br />ghost:<br />How ya doin'? Haven't seen you posting too much these days. Steelers/Browns will be an entertaining game tonight. AND ..... I believe the 9ers can beat Seattle ..... it'll be interesting.<br /><br />ElwayTheGreat:<br />You're posts contain nothing of substance ..... as usual. Why don't you go ahead and tell all of us why you think the Broncos are better tan all other teams this year. I'm sure everyone is curious. AND ...... you're an embarassment to the Broncos fan base and true fans in general. AND ....... things like LMAO are abbreviations that teenage girls use ...... not men talking football. Grow up, dude.
ricosteelers9/14/2008 9:55:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Wow! What an intelligent discussion of the article. What, did someone's middle school English class have a sub who turned you kids loose on the Internet?
The_Mick9/14/2008 7:27:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
WOW! I am impressed. Week ONE (1 for the illiterate) is finished and you're talking about play-offs. Seems to me there are sixteen games played in seventeen weeks. How about waiting until Nov. or Dec. to do that? Unless they pick playoff contenders from week two winners there is a whole hell of a lot more games to be played and won to be considered. I will say this, I am a lifelong Bears fan, but I do root for two teams. My Bears of course and whoever plays the Cowgirls. Dallas has no class!!!
mobears9/14/2008 6:37:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey Philtration--I am so afraid of the Panthers. I mean they have Muhsin Muhammad.. The loser who could not even catch a cold here."<br />If the Bears had a frickin QB he'd still be there! Good thing you got Forte or you and the Lions would be fighting for last place the whole year.
okieboy9/14/2008 2:44:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
im dieing here come the hell on elwaythegay are you seriously celebrating a win over a one of the worst if not the worst team in the nfl...ooh i almost forgot your team isnt much better i guess you are celebrating the fact that you probably wont be the worst team in the league but with that be serious your team hasnt beat my chargers in the last three years and they wont tommorrow and if the chargers are over rated what does that make the broncos? i mean we did beat your sorry team by a combined score of like 60 sumthing to 3 last year go look it up...hahahahahahahahaha so enjoy last weeks win cus my chargers are coming to denver to leave a lot of sad little pony fans fealing hurt and give your sorry team a reality check so choke on that...lol
kali_finess9/14/2008 0:50:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Panthers 30<br />Bears 21 'FJ the Great' says!
FJ_the_Great9/14/2008 0:48:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Was 2005 the(last)year Panthers went to the NFC championship game?.....did we beat the Bears off a bye week 2 get there?....some one let me know, i may be wrong.....
FJ_the_Great9/14/2008 0:45:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
man its people like elway the great that gives denver a bad name ( trust me people we arent all ignorant hicks) anyways I agree cutler had an amazing game, nut honestly the played the raiders how much of a test was that?<br /><br />But onto the point of the article, i belive delhomme truly is vastly underated as a Quarterback and should be recognized for his talent
jr123999/14/2008 0:29:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I am so afraid of the Panthers. I mean they have Muhsin Muhammad.. The loser who could not even catch a cold here.<br />Hope Jake is up to par just like the game in 2005 when the Bears sacked him 8 times.
Philtration9/13/2008 22:54:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Elway the great needs to get a grip. Most Bronco fans are not obnoxious and are into childish name calling. Jake is a good game manager and has proven that again against the chargers. If he can stay healthy then the panthers have a shot at the playoffs like any other team. The Broncos are still rebuilding and have showed us they are comming around rather quickly. Try and not beat up your old lady too much tommorrow if the Broncos lose to the chargers, ok Elway the great.
backlash419/13/2008 22:42:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
The back up QB for the Panthers is better than the starter, and Yes the best game this week is Eagles vs cowgirls... Go Eagles
petro619/13/2008 22:38:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I am a life long bear fan and I will say this. I was surprised by both teams last week. I live in Louisiana so I knew about Jake before most and I realy thought the saints screwed up letting him go and keeping Brooks who stunk at Virgina. That was ok because I hate the Saints anyway. I am not ready to say that Chicago will go to the supper bowl this year or even the play offs but it was very encouraging to see thier D-fence play like they did. For the last three years they have had the best tallent on D-fence but don't always play as a team. Peyton came out of the womb throwing the ball so forget this rusty stuf. Anytime a D-fence can hold the colts to 1 touchdown they have played great. I see Carolina as being the same type of team as chicago. The difference in this game will be simple. Chicago has a stronger D-fence thats no doubt. Thats not to say Carolina's D is week. Carolina has a much better Q.B. thats no doubt. Chicago has the best special teams in the league, thats a fact Carolina has home field. Chicago has a proven veteran running back in Jones(if he stays healthy) and a potential great rookie in Forte. Carolina has a very good veteran in Williams and a potential great in Stewart. I think it should be a hard hitting game and a good one. But the difference I see is Carolina is without Steve Smith. Thats huge because Carolina dosen't have any other receivers that chicago talented D.B.'s can't cover 1 on 1. Steve Smith is a difference maker on any team. Chicago wins because they will have great field position most of the game because of Devin hester, weather he gets huge returns or they kick it short to keep the ball away from him. The fact is when you get 2 evenly matched teams like theese two are it is easier to travel 30 to 60 yards for a score than it is to travel 60 to 80. The biggest problem both teams have as far as making the post season is to stay healthy. Both have a problem doing that. Ortan may not be great but he dosen't turn the ball over like that idiot we have from Florida on the bench. If Orton go's down Chicago is dead. But the same could be said for Carolina if jake go's down.
lindsey02279/13/2008 22:17:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I'm really confused. I KNOW everyone that posts on these boards knows EVERYTHING, and I KNOW everyone that posts on these boards has the ability to predict the future, but because I seem to be the only one posting that doesnt know everything and is not able to predict the future I'm very confused...is Carolina going to win??...or is Chicago going to win??... Who cares anyway??? As far as I'm concerned theres only one game this weekend anyway...Dallas-Philly... GO COWBOYS!!
joeds_2139/13/2008 22:15:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
elway the grape is a jerk...Panthers make the playoffs....probably with a better record than the ponies....put that trash u talk in the can, man!
FJ_the_Great9/13/2008 22:10:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Delhomme is the real thing ... I'm a Charger fan and no excuses he picked apart a very talented defense ... congratulations to Delhomme, John Fox and the Panthers.
delmartian9/13/2008 22:09:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
elway the great shutup. the broncos are good but they were good against the raiders. stop making me laugh and just stop talking. if the broncos played the saints the saints would easily win. and yes cutler is an outstanding qb and pantherfan4life i doubt if cutler will choke he just does not have the team around him to be great yet.
saintzfan249/13/2008 21:59:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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