Bill Buckner and Jake Delhomme

[TruCatzFan]

Jake was a crazy dude... I mean honestly he was two completely different QB's...

It was almost like he was on medication honestly...

And you could always tell by the look in his eyes, if he had taken it that day during pre game warm ups... Or at least I could.

If he took his meds, he was gonna go off, and if he didn't, you knew he was gonna have a bad outing.

I never got that wrong in all the years... I'd just sit intently watching the pre game warm ups to see which look he had in his eyes... I'll never forget that either.

[Proudiddy]

Great thread!

Completely agreed. Jake hasn't been talked about much since we got Cam, and just as one could call me a BCNJS, I will gladly forever wear the BJDJS tag as well.

When you look at the whole of his career here, there is no way you could have any ill will or negative feelings towards him unless you're an idiot. That 2003 season was magical. And when he was on, HE WAS REALLY ON. When he was off, well, he was REALLY OFF. But there was so much more of the "on" moments.

He really endeared himself to me from the beginning for being a humble guy who may not have had the greatest measurables, but he played his heart out 100% all of the time and had enough of the measureables that when he got going, he was awesome to watch. I'll always remember him talking sh*t to Rodney Harrison in the Super Bowl after throwing a TD, and I was screaming at the TV right there with him like Harrison could hear me, lol. He was gritty man, I loved that.

I too hope when Cam takes us to the Championship this year that Jake gets to be a part of it in some way.

[JawnyBlaze]

... 2008 seemed too good to be true, we had two 1,100 yd backs...

Just for the sake of accuracy, Deangelo had just over 1500 and Stewart had just over 800 yards that year...

[frash.exe]

Nobody really hated Delhomme, it's just that any fan who was smart couldn't get behind the idea of him starting after it was apparent that he would never play at a level that was required for the team to achieve success when he got to a certain age.

When you're 34, you've had a major surgery on your throwing arm less than two years prior and you've just engineered one of the worst performances by a QB in playoff history, the worst thing your franchise can do is give you an asinine contract extension. That's what the fans had a problem with.

[Proudiddy]

Agreed for the most part RB, but there was a faction of the fanbase that had a problem with him from very early on.

The extension was stupid, and leaving him out there after it was clear he lost "it" didn't help either, but I think regardless of everyone's opinions as individuals, I think at this point, as a collective fanbase the memories should be positive.

[carolina-chuck]

Great post!

I think no one will ever forget the Cajun Jake Delhomme #17.

Maybe Jake deserve a statue outside BOA one day. I really mean it too. He was the main piece in getting this franchise a competitive reputation.

Remember when he was considered a top 5 QB? Cam is not even there yet. One day Cam will, but Jake was a great QB for this franchise. He needs to retire a Panther.

No one loved, cared and played harder for this franchise than Jake. If one day we really do win one, Jake deserves a ring. Like Al Harris received a ring when GB won. Harris was a big part of that franchise just like Jake.

[frash.exe]

I am aware, but I was addressing anybody that still couldn't make a distinction from those two types of perspectives

Before the nfl evolved to a certain point that requires a very talented QB to be competitive, Jake was very capable of helping a team go the distance, and he almost proved it in 2003. If only Kasay didn't botch the kickoff, the panthers could've been much more prestigious and there would be no talk of a patriots dynasty, but there's no use getting caught up in the past, because with Cam this team might be on the verge of something even greater than the best that the last regime had to offer.

[Panthro]

It's more Fox's fault than Jakes

[Carolina_Champ]

TY, I was afraid to post this when I was finished and was about to click on "Add reply". He was only a cog, but he was a good cog during his tenure. Thanks for not throwing me to the Hounds of Hell.

I don't blame you lol. This forum can be ruthless. After reading about how much Cam asks about Jake and how he wants to meet him, just makes me like Cam even more. I mean Cam and Jake are two completely different QB's. Cam had all the hype, #1 pick, offense specially tailored to his skill set, all the athletic ability in the world and he's showing respect for the guy that barely got in the league but played his butt off for the franchise. I think Cam could really benefit from talking to Delhomme.

[teeray]

It is sad when so many people have flamed him for the AZ game and forget or dismiss the fact that he single handedly almost won us a Super Bowl and went toe to toe against the greatest QB of this generation.

[MeowMeowMeooow]

I'll never forget that season. It started off with a BANG when we beat the Chargers in the last second. I screamed "The Cardiac Cats are back!". The only time I ever made it to every single home game (pre-season, regular season, and playoffs). And I was there for that playoff game, wearing my #17 jersey the whole game. I still have it and will always charish it. I was a huge Jake supporter and got a lot of flack for it. I still wait for the day he can re-join the team to share the achievements we will make for years to come.

[jtm]

Anyone that is a fan of football and the Panthers is a Jake fan. The guy left it all on the field every day and I'll never forget the sincere tears he shed when he left. A class act.

[Montie_0123]

This was a great write up and like many I can never hate Jake because he did do a lot for this team. Hopefully one day he does decide to come back to sign for one day and retire a Panther.

[Argus Plexus]

If he hadn't stunk up the show so bad in 09 he would have had it easier from the fans. I still love Jake, the man was like a hero back in 03.

I will cry when Big Cat bites the dust :(