Jeff Garcia Should Replace Jake Delhomme: Round Two

On September 14, I ventured out on a limb and posed the idea that then former Oakland Raider quarterback Jeff Garcia should replace Jake Delhomme under center for the Carolina Panthers.

Today, I am going out farther on that limb by strongly suggesting that the Panthers take a look at the now former Philadelphia Eagles reserve.

The Panthers are putting perhaps their final season with Julius Peppers in serious jeopardy by keeping Delhomme as their quarterback. Despite the organization's assertion on Wednesday that it wasn't looking to make a change, now that there's a proven winner on the free agent market (again) like Garcia, the Panthers need to think twice.

Earlier this week Steve Smith admitted that he bailed on his route on a play that turned into an interception returned for a touchdown by Dallas corner Terence Newman on Monday night. But Smith was seen earlier on Monday evening barking at Delhomme.

Delhomme turned the ball over three times on Monday night. His footwork has become poor and he's started making mental mistakes that have most of the southeastern region of the country wondering whose idea Delhomme's contract extension was this spring.

The Panthers had one of the best running games in the entire NFL last year, with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart both having strong seasons.

But now, with the Panthers unable to convert on third down (one for eight on Monday), their running game has suffered. Smith's production has also disappeared.

These are the same Panthers who were confident in their offensive line after securing tackle Jordan Gross this past spring. Coming into a season with lots of cause to be excited, the Panthers are winless after three weeks.

The Panthers have scored the second-fewest points in the NFC so far (37 through three games) and are tied for last in their division with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who will start a relative unknown at quarterback this weekend.

Tampa, however, is entering into a rebuilding time. They have moved on from the Derrick Brooks-led defensive teams and are searching for an identity. They have a rookie head coach and spent a high draft pick on a quarterback this year.

The Panthers have a veteran roster and don't have the same grace with their fan base that Tampa does; they're not getting younger and they won 12 games last year.

But their promise seems to be moving backwards with Delhomme under center.

They need a change.

When I wrote this piece a couple weeks ago, the biggest objections (that didn't come from Eagles fans in the wake of Donovan McNabb's rib injury) was that Garcia is wrong for the Panthers' system. He's a mobile quarterback who needs to be in a West Coast Offense to be productive.

My response two games later is: How productive has Delhomme been in this system?

Garcia might not be younger than Delhomme, but he's a fresh face and could spark confidence with the veteran roster. His legs might even become an asset in the running game that's stalled in the midst of Delhomme's poor decision making and fumble-itis.

The Panthers are off this week for their bye, and then have the failing Washington Redskins and the wandering Bucs. Those are two games the Panthers could, and should, win. But they're also games against opportunistic defenses that will prey on Delhomme's judgement.

The time is now for Carolina to make a change, and they're getting a second chance to bring in Garcia. They made the mistake two weeks ago, and have lost twice since Garcia went to Philly.

With quarterback changes happening in Miami (due to injury) and Tampa (due to ineffective play), it's time the Panthers follow Tampa's lead before they're forced to follow Miami's.