Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Delhomme's Mechanics and Decision Making

MurkN

By MurkN,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

MurkN Community Regular

MurkN

Posted
Posted

Alright now here is a play broken down from the preseason against the tough Ravens defense. We come out in the I-Formation in the Twin Pro set with both wideouts lining up on the left side of the field with the ball spotted on the far right hash mark. For all you Maddenites out there here is the play art.

playcall.png

Smitty lines up on the far outside flanker position while Moose takes the slot. The play begins with play action. We have all seen this type of play before.

jake-decisions.PNG

Before the play actually begins, Jake points out the middle linebacker. Now he only does this once, even when the opponent runs a 3-4 defense where two middle linebackers are used. You can see he is not pointing at Ray Lewis, who is the middle linebacker I would be pointing to, but then again he may be pointing out to Brad Hoover the other linebacker to block.

The play begins and Brad Hoover does in fact start blocking to his right side where Jake had pointed out the blitzing linebacker slightly off screen. As the play unfolds, Goodson finds a soft spot in the middle of the field after King clears the middle. Moose runs a nice route and is actually open. Wide open in fact. From the looks of things Delhomme sees this, but instead of throwing it to Moose for a big gain and maybe even a touchdown, Jake decides to throw it to Smitty in very tight coverage.

While the pass fell incomplete, it easily could have been picked off by Ed Reed or somehow brought in by Smitty, but it wasn't a very smart pass. One could argue that the throw to Moose might not have worked because the other safety may have been there to break it up, but the fact remains Moose was more open than Smitty.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MurkN Community Regular

MurkN

Posted
  • Author
Posted

One of the other things I noticed is that there is a big difference between the way we run draw plays compared to other teams.

Even though the plays below are slightly different because the Cowboys are closer to the endzone than the Panthers, all of the other draw plays they ran looked the same.

Tony Romo does a good job of selling the fake by dropping a couple steps back and looking like he is ready to throw to one of his receivers, holding the linebackers and giving the lineman time to change direction. He is still able to turn around and hand off to the running back after the fake without much effort. The result was six points.

tony-draw.PNG

The difference in our draw plays are not only the time in which we run them (3rd and freaking 16), but the execution of the fake itself.

jake-draw.PNG

The play ends very well for us because of the blocking downfield and DeAngelo's skills, but the fake isn't quite as good. Jake only looks upfield for a split second before turning around and handing the ball off. Let's say this was on the goalline. The extra split second to hold the linebacker while looking upfield would be a lot more helpful where Romo used it than in Delhomme's case.

I'll break down some other things like Jake's ball security and throwing off his back foot compared to his regular throws a little later.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MurkN Community Regular

MurkN

Posted
  • Author
Posted

One of Jake's other problems is that if his first two reads aren't open, he will go back to the first and wait for them to get open. This is not very good when the blitz is bearing down on him, but even when he gets good protection we run into another mechanics problem. He double clutches the ball way too much. Not only does this combined with staring down your receivers cause problems, but it also causes fumbles. Here is a prime example in our last playoff game. (sorry for the quality)

jake-double.JPG

As he waits for the first option to get open after looking at his second read, he pats the ball multiple times before the defender strips him of the football. Some quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and other experienced players do not have to pat the ball before a throw, making the timing much better in passing plays. Delhomme however has this problem and no amount of coaching has changed this. To make things worse, he just can't seem to hold on to the football whenever the pressure is on. If I was game planning against him I would just send the house every play and eventually he would make a mistake.

Delhomme also has a problem throwing off his back foot. You will see this very often on the heaves for Steve Smith and other throws that don't hit the mark. Here is an example.

jake-foot.PNG

He has good protection at the very start, but as the pressure closes in he quickly finds his checkdown like a good quarterback would. The only problem is he throws off his back foot and the ball sails on him, causing the second interception in the Arizona playoff game. This is not the first time he has done this either. If your about to get hit as a quarterback, why not step up and make it count instead of throwing an ugly pick? Too bad we don't have much help in the coaching department.

It also seems clear to me that for some reason Jake doesn't have "it" anymore. He still has his occasional good play like the passes to Rosario, but when he isn't dumping it off or checking it down he is heaving up a prayer. The same deep ball we would see that went for touchdowns is no longer there post-Tommy John. When you couple that with the other things I have pointed out, it just looks like Delhomme is at the end of the road.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Snake Grand Master

Snake

Posted
Posted

When Moore came into the Philly game he immediately started being able to drive by hitting the backs in the middle.

Due to teams rolling coverage the middle is open. Delhomme isn't seeing that.

Delhomme has always done this.... Its always been the fact that if our D didnt hold and our run game didnt work we were in trouble. Delhomme is a game manager nothing more.... Somewhere this has been lost. Prob cause we payed him so much this year. Delhomme is the man you want leading your team on a 4th QT comeback but not the man you want to throw the ball 30 or more times a game.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Icege
      2025 College Football Thread

      By Icege · Posted

      It's football. I'll take it!
    • PantherChris
      2025 College Football Thread

      By PantherChris · Posted

      Games been a snooze fest of sloppy play
    • TheSpecialJuan
      The Charlotte Observer's Mike Kaye 2025 Carolina Panthers 53-gayman roster prediction spectacular

      By TheSpecialJuan · Posted

      ESPN's David Newton: QUARTERBACKS (2): Bryce Young, Andy Dalton A preseason muscle injury to Dalton's right arm could force the Panthers to keep Jack Plummer if the issue gets worse, but that currently doesn't seem to be a concern. For the first time since going No. 1 in 2023, there is no question that Young is the starter after winning two of his final three games last season with 10 touchdowns (7 passing, 3 rushing) and no turnovers. RUNNING BACKS (3): Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, Trevor Etienne Selecting Etienne in the fourth round out of Georgia makes veteran Raheem Blackshear a likely cut. Etienne has shown in the preseason that he is a capable option as a runner, in addition to being a returner, which has been Blackshear's primary responsibility since 2022. WIDE RECEIVERS (7): Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker, Jimmy Horn Jr., David Moore, Hunter Renfrow This is the most improved group on the team, so keeping seven initially makes sense. If the Panthers go with six it could make coach Dave Canales' favorite, Moore, expendable with Renfrow showing he's close to the level he played in 2021 when he made the Pro Bowl with the Las Vegas Raiders. Brycen Tremayne, who's had an excellent preseason, will be a tough cut. TIGHT ENDS (3): Tommy Tremble, Ja'Tavion Sanders, Mitchell Evans There is anticipation Tremble (back surgery) will be ready for the regular season after coming off the PUP list before the preseason finale, though he could still miss a game or two. Keeping him on the 53-man roster makes sense so she doesn't have to miss the first four games. OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (10): T Ikem Ekwonu, G Damien Lewis, G Robert Hunt, C Austin Corbett, C Cade Mays, T Taylor Moton, T Yosh Nijman, T-G Brady Christensen, G Chandler Zavala, G Jarrett Kingston Injuries to guards Lewis (strained shoulder) and Zavala (knee) plays a factor in keeping 10 instead of the nine predicted going into camp. The starting five returning from 2024 had a solid preseason, but the lackluster play of backups showed depth remains a concern. DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6): DE Derrick Brown, NT Bobby Brown III, DE Tershawn Wharton, DE A'Shawn Robinson, NT Cam Jackson , DE Jaden Crumedy A shoulder injury that has kept fifth-round pick Jackson from making an impact means Crumedy could make it here. The biggest cut will be Shy Tuttle, who has 32 starts the past two years but little to show for it. Moving on from him will create $2.4 million in cap space that can be used elsewhere. LINEBACKERS (10): OLB D.J. Wonnum, OLB Patrick Jones II, OLB Princely Umanmielen, OLB Nic Scourton, OLB Thomas Incoom, ILB Christian Rozeboom, ILB Trevin Wallace, ILB Claudin Cherelus, ILB Jon Rhattigan, ILB Jacoby Windmon The release of ILB Josey Jewell (concussion protocol) at the start of camp required immediate attention, but Rozeboom has stepped up well. Depth remains a big question, particularly inside. Moving on from draft pick Bam Martin-Scott means he'll likely end up on the practice squad. It was time to move on from OLB DJ Johnson. Look for turnover beyond the starters here. CORNERBACKS (5): Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, Chau Smith-Wade, Shemar Bartholomew, Corey ThorntonJackson has played well enough at times to ease the concern opposite Pro Bowler Horn. Thorton's play during camp has been a big surprise, but the overall depth of this group means there likely will be turnover. SAFETIES (4): Tre'von Moehrig, Nick Scott, Demani Richardson, Lathan Ransom The big question is how long it will take fourth-round pick Ransom to replace Scott as the starter opposite Moehrig. Also, don't rule out another experienced player being signed. SPECIALISTS (3): K Ryan Fitzgerald, P Sam Martin, LS JJ Jansen Big-legged undrafted free agent Fitzgerald out of Florida State may have solidified his spot over Matthew Wright with a 52-yard field goal in the second preseason game against the Texans. The other two spots are solid, but Carolina likely will keep an eye out for dependable veterans who end up being released.
×
×
  • Create New...