Whitlock on Jake Delhomme

[KatsAzz]

I am not sure anyone is "condemning" Jake,but I do think many people on this forum are smart enough to detect patterns and trends. In regards to Jake, while he has been efficient as a QB, he has had two really poor games in a row in really big situations. Yes, the offensive line sucked big time the last two games, but when that happens the QB has to make adjustments whether it's eating the ball or throwing it away. Jake has had two identical games back to back. These could absolutely be exceptions or aberrations meaning that he will get back on track. However, what if they are not? What is the backup plan? This GM and coaching staff get paid a lot of money to work in the most popular game in the US to make those decisions. In my opinion, they aren't doing their job. For me to read the quotes from Delhomme and the coaching staff, that they "will get this fixed", my response to the management is simple. You had 9 freaking months to diagnose and fix the problems that occurred last year. You did NOTHING. Wait a minute. You did do something. You gave the guy who totally blew up in the playoffs a contract extension. You also franchised the most enigmatic player in the history of the Carolina Panthers (and maybe the NFL for that matter) and put the Panthers (and its fans thank you very much) in salary cap he!!. Also, you ignored the DT situation. You ignored the Dwayne Jarrett situation. To make matters worse you gave what is likely to be a very high first round pick to the 49ers for Everette Brown (he may turn out to be great, but I would rather have a potentially great QB than a potentially great, undersized DE at this point).

It may indeed be unfair to put all the blame on Delhomme. The fact remains is that he is the starting QB in the NFL which happens to be the most important position on the field in a performance driven league. He is not performing, and worse yet, we really don't have a proven alternative. There are people on this board who want Matt Moore to be given a chance. He may get it. However, what happens if he does not perform any better. Is anybody willing to potentially write off this year and perhaps next year to find out?

Jake in some ways is a convenient figurehead for all the fans to target their many frustrations. Even if he turns it around, I don't think this team goes anywhere because of the other glaring and "should have been fixed" problems including the defense. Bottom line is the John Fox and Marty Hurney have hitched their collective wagons to Jake Delhomme, Julius Peppers, and Ron Meeks with no real contingency plans.

[Delhommey]

I'm disappointed Whitlock didn't take an opportunity to taut Jeff George as the new leader of the Carolina Panthers.

[X-Clown]

Whitlock in his "NFL Truths" predicted last year in Week One that Steve Smith's two game suspension was going to kill the Panthers' season, and that John Fox was sure to lose his job at the end of the season for that decision.

[Happy Panther]

That guy is such an idiot