With my anger Saturday night out of complete embarrassment and total disgust over the Carolina Panthers’ poor performance against the Arizona Cardinals, I decided to wait a few days to respond.
I am still angry. I am calmer, but still disturbed over Carolina’s carelessness.
I do give the Cardinals complete credit for preparing for the game and performing like the professionals they are. The offense still does not run well, but the mere threat of the run sent the Panther’s defense in hiding.
Arizona’s defense has learned to tackle well, a skill lacking in their October loss to Carolina.
Did the Panthers defensive backs purchase tickets? Because they stood around, ran in circles, and acted more like fans watching the game than participating.
Jake “Delfavre” threw five interceptions. Jake “Delromo” had a fumble to boost. The bad Jake is ba-ack! Worse than ever.
After a very interesting 12-4 regular season in which the Carolina Panthers often found ways to win, even when they were not playing their best, the Cardiac Cats gave a most horrible effort and performance in their playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Now Panthers fans know how Dallas Cowboys fans have felt in recent previous seasons. One and done, despite the talent. Underachievers. Chokers. Losers.
What good is 12-4 and then flush the season down the toilet? Ending the season with a bitter taste barely describes the frustration, folly, and vanity.
It’s not losing this game that bothers me. It’s the lack of effort, lack of intensity, the stupidity of decision-making, and the total humiliation. It’s the lack of or denying of reality in post-game conferences too.
What is the reality? Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme will never lead Carolina to a Super Bowl championship.
After being the only NFL team to go undefeated at home (8-0), the Cardinals completely dominated the Panthers. The game offers a lot of questions.
Many times it is unfair and inaccurate to make a scapegoat out of the head coach and the starting quarterback.
Not this time. They did not walk the walk when it really matters in the postseason.
Exactly what did Coach John Fox and assistants do to prepare the team in the two weeks time they had after the end of the regular season?
When it became obvious that quarterback Jake Delhomme was giving his poorest performance of any game in his NFL career, why was a backup (McCown or Moore) not inserted in the game sometime in the second half?
Why did the Panthers offensive coaches abandon the running game?
Why did it take Carolina’s defensive coaches so very long to adjust from zone coverage to man-to-man coverage, which proved to be more successful?
Why was Fox so nonchalant with his attitude and responses in his post game conference?
Pitiful. Embarrassing. Horrible. Terrible. Incompetent. Sorry. Depressing. One and done. 2003 one-year wonders.
Delhomme? Six turnovers. Five interceptions. Stupid decisions. Throwing into double and triple coverage. Throwing the ball up for grabs in prayer that Steve Smith will make another miraculous adjustment and catch.
7 comments Last one added 5 months ago — Leave a Comment
Paul Augustin, Jr. 5 months ago
You've calmed down since Saturday? Geez!
I know that Delhomme had one of the all-time worst playoff games, but I think it's too early to write him off just yet. I think he's smart enough and humble enough to learn from his mistakes. Let's see what 2009 brings.
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Eric Quackenbush 5 months ago
I'd follow Jake into battle. There is no other quarterback I can say I'd really trust in a come-from-behind fourth quarter to win the game. I'm glad he's back next year. I'm glad John Fox is back, too.
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Chris Hood 5 months ago
he was one drive short of winning the superbowl...and you cant blame that one on him....give him his due
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Jemal Jones 5 months ago
I have never been on the Delhomme ban wagon! With that being said I will always give him his due but at the same time Panthers fans need to understand Jake's best days are behind him. Thank him for the good times and press forward!!! WE NEED A QB!! One that will get us up and running! How do we do that?? As bad as I hate to see him go PEPPERS!!! A trade for a fist round pick +give up a second round pick!! It isn't that our defense isn't still good it is that they stay on the filed too long!!!
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Silver Fox 5 months ago
Thank you, everyone, for your comments.
Paul, if this was written Saturday night after the game, there would be several "expletive deleteds." LOL What will 2009 bring? When has Carolina had back to back winning/playoff appearance seasons under John Fox?
Eric, I do admire Jake's fire and competitiveness that he has shown over the years. But where was it in this loss to the Cardinals? I read at charlottel.com that Delhomme was apologizing to his teammates over and over and over again in the huddle. Is that leadership? I appreciate Jake's humility and sincerity. But it takes confidence and execution of plays to lead a comeback or a comeback attempt.
I do not question Delhomme's heart, just his physical skills, talent, field vision, checking down instead of locking on a WR, and at critical times - decision making need to be honestly evaluated.
Chris, 2003 was five years ago. If this was 2004 or even 2005, the "one drive sort of winning a Super Bowl" argument would have merit. John Fox and Jake Delhomme haves lived off of that one Super Bowl appearance since, in both psotive and negative ways.
His age is an issue with me because soreness and injury take longer to recover from (with the prime example of Brett Favre). And a healthy Delhomme could deal with that. But coming off Tommy John surgury, Jake can no longer throw deep at an accurate, consistent level.
Delhomme does not obviously deserve the full blame, but 6 turnovers speak loud and clear. The coaches should have tried McCown or Moore by the middle of the 3rd quarter to see if something else would work. The running game carried the team in 2009, even when Delhomme struggled.
Also, the Panthers defense is average, givng up a lot of points. Delhomme probably could win a Super Bowl with the Ravens or Steelers or maybe even the Eagles defense. I do give Jake credit for winning the first game of the season over the Chargers.
Jamal, I own a Julius Peppers teal jersey. He is one of my favorite Panthers of all-time. However, the timing may be right to trade him with his contract renewal coming up with Carolina's salary cap issues. Then again, don't trade Julius unless we get quality players who can immediately play and help the Panthers win. A shutdown corner would be great, for example.
With the present set of 3 QBs, Delhomme is still the best choice. However, after 2 or 3 interceptions, the Panthers need to try a QB from the bench. The ideal solution would be to draft or obtain an elite QB who can either start next season or observe for a season while Jake starts in 2009. In either case, the QB position should be competitive, not a gimme. I love Delhomme and feel for him and his teammates, but it is time to move on in my humble opinion.
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err Redding 5 months ago
I too have calmed down a bit and hope I can now think clearly. I agree we need to bring in a starting QB or draft one we feel could soon be a starter to compete for the starting job. Jake is the starter until he looses the job but the competition needs to be serious and fair.
The defense must get better. Keeping Peppers at all costs would spell dome for us. If he wants to stay he will sign for an amount we can live with. It appears he does not want to stay so trading him for some draft choices is the next best option. We may not replace him with one guy but two good ones might do the trick. The corners need help as do the ones coaching them.
The game Sat. was beyond bad. I think the coaching and game prep. was as bad as Jake's play. Yes this was Jake's worst game I know of but to say he could not lead us to a SB win might be unfair. It's clear he cannot carry a team on his own but if the team played as a team with a defense making their share of plays and the offense clicking he could do his part. He certainly will never be a Peyton Manning but we knew that a long time ago. Do I think we should give him another try next year?
Yes, as long as he has serious competition and wins the job fair and square. With Fox that may not be possible since he has stated he sees him as the starter. Who knows if we keep giving our opinions maybe someone important will read and agree.
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Silver Fox 5 months ago
Very well putt, err. Thank you.
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