Panthers still need Jake Delhomme

NFL

Panthers still need Jake Delhomme

By Tim Hall

Dec 9, 2009

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The young quarterback who is fighting to steal the veteran's job passed for only 161 yards and an interception in his first start of the season. It wasn't pretty, but the Panthers beat the Buccaneers 16-6 behind third-year QB Matt Moore.

"He'll occasionally lock up and work the wrong side of the field, he's not perfect. But the Panthers gave him a lot of the playbook and asked him to make a wide variety of throws which he did," Panthers' voice Mick Mixon told 99.9 The Fan.

The injured (broken finger) former starter, Jake Delhomme, has struggled all season long with a quarterback rating of 59.4, the lowest of his career. He has five multi-interception games, but Mixon still thinks he is worth something.

"The Panthers are going to need Jake Delhomme, I think maybe not last week maybe not this week," Mixon said. "You don't just want to look at the No. 17 car and say 'Okay that's great and we'll see you down the road.'"

There had been mixed feelings from fans and league analysts as to whether Delhomme should have been benched after his performance at the Jets. He threw four interceptions and possibly dodged getting benched by the finger injury.

One thing Mixon knows is the Panthers can't rely on playing a young quarterback if they aren't going to unleash him.

"I despise that phrase 'manage the game.' This is the NFL. It is not gonna reward the timid or the conservative over time."

Moore's 3-1 career record as a starter will be seriously put to the test in the next four weeks.

The remaining opponents on the Panthers schedule boast a combined record of 36-12 (Patriots, Vikings, Giants and Saints). The gauntlet begins at New England (7-5) this Sunday at 1 p.m. The Patriots are coming off of consecutive losses for the first time since 2006.

The following week, the Panthers host Minnesota (10-2) on Sunday Night Football. Mixon says there was talk of flexing a different game into that time slot, but the Panthers will in fact host the night game. The NFL would announce any schedule change no later than 12 days prior to the game.

Most Recent Comments

RE: Panthers still need Jake Delhomme

Jake couldn't replace any quarterback on anyteam in the NFL. So, why do we need him? We need someone to run the practice squad then he's the man.

RE: Panthers still need Jake Delhomme

It was really nice to see accurate passing in that game for a change. The only interception was just a bad decision to throw it into coverage (the pass was accurate, just picked off) Sadly, Delhome is a has been that never really was except for the one magical season. He should have retired after that one. Moore may or may not be the future but he IS the best we have right now.

RE: Panthers still need Jake Delhomme

Moore has done a good job. All he needs is more game experience, and I think he will be a good QB. JD is just inconsistent.

RE: Panthers still need Jake Delhomme

Need him for what? To use as a bad example??

RE: Panthers still need Jake Delhomme

yeah they need him, somebody has to help Hurney and Fox move out of their offices when they get fired

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