Carolina's Call

by user Seminolechief

After a disappointing season who is to blame?

Does Jake Delhomme deserve to remain in Carolina next season? Delhomme has had a distinguished career in Carolina since leading the Panthers to a comeback win in the 2003 opener against Jacksonville. Delhomme is Carolina's all time franchise passing leader with 13,124 yards and 87 TD's, and lead the Panthers to their first and only Super Bowl appearance in 2004. Delhomme has unquestionable skills as a quarterback including his underrated deep ball and leadership on the field. Often this season we have seen Delhomme throw his arms up and looking over to the sidelines. Delhomme has made many questionable decisions especially with interceptions in the end zone. Three games Carolina had a chance to win in Cincinnati, Washington and Philadelphia were ended with Delhomme forcing a throw that just wasn't there. In Cincinnati Delhomme tried to throw to Keyshawn Johnson but Kevin Kaesviharn was standing in front. In Washington Delhomme lobbed a bomb into the end zone into a crowd that was picked off by Sean Taylor. In Philadelphia Delhomme was picked off in the end zone by Lito Sheppard with 28 seconds left and only down by 3 points. Basically Delhomme has cost Carolina three games they were in a position to take into overtime or win with time winding down.

Having the NFL's best WR Steve Smith one has to wonder why Carolina has had such little success this season. The offensive line has been the largest contributor to the offensive struggles. The offensive line has undergone a dramatic rebuilding in the first half of the 21st century. 1st round pick Jordan Gross, the addition of Pro Bowl G Mike Wahle, and Travelle Wharton, and free agent pickup C Justin Hartwig made Carolina's one of the best lines in the NFL entering the regular season. Hartwig has missed the entire season, and Travelle Wharton broke his leg in Week 1, and rookie T Rashard Butler has missed the entire season with a staph infection. Leaving the line with three new starters on the right side; Geoff Hangartner, Evan Mathis, and Jeremy Bridges have been below average at best. The lines in effectiveness has plagued RB DeShaun Foster rookie standout DeAngelo Williams. The line has obliterated the production of the run game and given Delhomme less time to throw the ball. Free Agent Keyshawn Johnson has been solid, but he is turning 35 and won't be around much longer. The solution to the ineptness of the offense doesn't lie in the draft, but in free agency.

Free Agency has also been an area of concern for Carolina on defense. Letting young speedy playmakers Will Witherspoon and Marlon McCree go and replacing them with older and slower Naill Diggs and Shaun Williams. Julius Peppers has had another quality season and is arguably the NFL's defender and playmaker. The defensive issues at LB headlined by the uncertaintity of Dan Morgan's health after another concussion can be solved through the draft with Lamarr Woodley or Patrick Willis and by developing Thomas Davis and Chris Draft. Mike Minter isn't getting younger, so the Panthers have big issues in the secondary also.

The key to Carolina's success will be finding a QB on the open market who can replace or challenge Delhomme. One such player would be Damon Huard of the Kansas City Chiefs. After posting a 5-3 record this season with almost no interceptions Huard has established himself as the NFL's best backup QB. Huard may not start, but he is a good bet to challenge Delhomme and maybe replace him if Carolina falls apart next season.

The next option is Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Schaub. A 2nd round pick, Schaub has been excellent in relief when Vick has been injured. This season Shaub will become one of the most highly valued RFA's in history. Atlanta simply can't afford to keep him and Michael Vick on the roster. Among the contenders for Schaub will be Minnesota, Cleveland, and Carolina who would be hard pressed to find a better QB in the draft. Schaub is a perfect fit for Carolina's vertical offense, with his accuracy and arm strength and incredible mobility Schaub can avoid the preesure and buy time for Steve Smith in the secondary. The only way Carolina signs Schaub is if they are commited to rebuilding, giving up a 2nd round pick, and shelving Delhomme.

I believe Delhomme is a quality NFL QB don't get me wrong, but his style no longer fits the Panthers current requirements. With the line ravaged with injuries, Delhomme isn't agile enough to avoid blitzers, and has a tendency to turn the ball over at critical junctures in a game; a QB with his experience should know better. Delhomme is also going to be 32 next year. Matt Schaub presents Carolina with a unique oppertunity to get a QB better than any in this years draft and replace Jake Delhomme in the process.