Delhomme Still Starter In Carolina

NFL News - October 28th, 2009 - Written by John

Earlier this week, Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox made a surprising admission that he considered benching quarterback Jake Delhomme.

But on Wednesday, Fox decided against it and announced that Delhomme would be the starter this week when the Panthers play the Arizona Cardinals.

"We feel like he gives us the best chance to win," Fox said. "Going through and looking at some of our mishaps I don't think it's one guy and I think he still gives us the best chance to win."

Initially, it was news that Fox was entertaining the idea of sitting Delhomme, not because his play didn't warrant it, but because Fox has always been his main cheerleader. Despite leading the league in interceptions, it was Delhomme that delivered the franchise's only Super Bowl appearance and has been one of the better players at the position for several years.

But something went way wrong last year in the second round of the playoffs and hasn't been corrected since. In that game against the Cardinals, he turned the ball over six times in the season-opener against Philadelphia and recently threw thee picks against Buffalo Bills in Week Seven. It's even more concerning considering the Panthers signed him to a five-year extension in the off-season.

He has 13 interceptions overall and is on pace to tie Vinny Testeverde's second-highest total of 35 set in 1988. He is the longest tenured quarterback in franchise history, starting every game since mid-2003, but is the lowest-rated passer this year.

Delhomme has been more than open about the process to reporters, taking blame for his problems unlike some quarterbacks in recent days.

"If he would have went that way, how could I blame him? I mean, let's be real here, how could I blame him?" Delhomme said on ESPN.com. "But I was hoping it would be me. I'm going down swinging. I don't know any other way to put it."

Another bad performance migh inevidably have Fox going elsewhere, and Delhomme will have to right the ship against the Cardinals, the team which started his downspiral.

"I still do have a lot of confidence, but it's frustrating," said Delhomme. "A couple plays a game are just not...And that's something you work on, that forget it mentality."

To discuss this and other NFL related stories be sure to check out our new forum at:
https://www.usaplayers.com/forums/