Jake Delhomme (Part I)

Editor's Note: This article was to run last Wednesday, but the editor's impending bachelor party delayed the post date. Please accept my apology for the inconvenience.

Philip Thompson: Jake Delhomme. No two words in the city of Charlotte can create such hostility. The Panthers are now entering their 7th season with Delhomme as their unquestioned leader. He has taken to heights this organization has never come close to reaching before him. They have made the playoffs three times, played in two conference championship games, and reached the Super Bowl. He has played in the Pro Bowl and has a career winning percentage of well over .500.

However, these accomplishments have never seemed to be good enough for a large portion of the Panther’s fan base. People have been turned off by his errors in judgment and his personality.

For years this city seems to have been divided almost evenly down in the middle. But coming off the disaster that was last season’s playoff loss to the Cardinals and a horrible start to this season, nearly everyone is clamoring for a change.

I, for one, think this would be the wrong move. First, Delhomme still seems to have the respect in the locker room. With the team off to a 0-3 start, one would expect to hear disgruntled players questioning Delhomme. In fact, it has been the exact opposite, with other leaders Jon Beason and Jordan Gross both publically backing their struggling quarterback.

Second and most important this team is constructed to win now. Delhomme is certainly not Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, but he defiantly gives the Panthers their best chance to win each and every week. Matt Moore and AJ Feeley are decent backups. But the key word there is backups. Jake may not be the long term answer but he sure is the best at his position on the team right now.

Finally the Panthers are entering a three game stretch where the will face Washington , Tampa , and Buffalo . If they have any dreams of having a good season, they need all three of these winnable games, and I believe Jake is the man for the job.

GO PANTHERS!!