Pro. Jake Delhomme

[NewsCopy]

Saints, Panthers head into finale needing win, help for postseason

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - It's not exactly a repeat performance for Jake Delhomme, but it's about as close as he can get.

In the 1999 regular-season finale, Delhomme was a wide-eyed quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, trying to keep the Carolina Panthers out of the playoffs.

On the fifth anniversary of his second career start, Delhomme will be on the field Sunday when the Saints play at the Panthers. He's practically a veteran now, and in this meeting, Delhomme will be trying to get Carolina into the playoffs - and keep the Saints out.

New Orleans (7-8) and Carolina (7-8) head into the finale both trying to earn the NFC's final wild-card berth.

For Delhomme, it is pretty close to how he pictured the final game unfolding.

"When I saw Jan. 2 and the Saints and Panthers, the first thing that went through my mind is that both of us will be playing for the division crown," Delhomme said. "I fully anticipated them having a real good season, and I anticipated us having a real good season. I thought you'd have two teams with 10, 11, 12 wins fighting it out for the division crown."

Atlanta already has the NFC South title wrapped up, but the Saints and Panthers both have a legitimate shot at the postseason.

For the Panthers to get in, they must win and have one of three things happen: A Minnesota loss, a Seattle win or tie, or a St. Louis loss or tie.

The Saints have to win to get in, and have either St. Louis loss or tie, or Seattle and Minnesota win or tie.

"We don't know what's going to happen with these other games," Delhomme said. "We could still possibly win and the Saints could possibly win, and neither one of us would get in.

"It is a big game, but it's big because it's the next one and it could be the last one. That's why it's such a big game. We won't know until 3:15 or so Sunday whether this game means anything or not."

That either team can get into the playoffs is impressive considering where they've come from this season.

Carolina, the defending NFC champions, started the season 1-7 and riddled with injuries to key players. But a five-game winning streak got the Panthers back in the hunt.

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[PantherCanada]

Some more comparisons I figured out for my webpage...




Jake finished 7th in the NFL for passing yards and 4th in the NFC - behind Culpepper (4717), Green (4591), Manning (4557), Plummer (4089), Favre (4088) and Bulger (3964).

Jake finished 4th in the NFL for TDs and 3rd in the NFC - behind Manning (49), Culpepper (39), McNabb (31) and Favre (30).

He was 12th in passer rating NFL-wide and 6th in the NFC.

[PantherCanada]

Originally posted by Turbine
8th:
Passing Yards 3579 (Arron Brooks 7th 15 yards apart)

5th: Touchdowns 27
(Tied for 5th)

I think you missed a game?

He actually ended with 3886 yards and 29 TDs.
nfl.com

Don't mean to be a nit-picker but he did even better - and also beat Aaron Brooks (3810 yards/21 TDs/79.5 PR)

[PantherCanada]

I really wish I taped that T-Bay game... he was the man for that one - I was so proud after that game!

[studentfan]

Can you expect anything less from the Saints? They have always traded off the better players and kept the worse ones, then wonder why they can't make the playoffs or constantly play great. When the Saints let Jake go I knew they made the wrong decision, but I've seen it before and wasn't really that shocked b/c I expect it to happen again. That's why I quit cheering for the Saints and started to cheer for Carolina and Houston.

[Turbine]

Originally posted by PantherCanada
I think you missed a game?

I was sitting here brain rattled thinking, how could I make such a mistake?

Then it hit me, I crunched these numbers prior to the last game of the season which was Jan. 2

Thanks for doing the wrap up.

[CajunNation]

He fails in the most important and easiest way to promote Louisiana-using Louisiana when talking about his alma mater.

[NewsCopy]

Like the rest of his teammates, Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme is back in Charlotte after a couple of months at home putting the rollercoaster ride that was the 2004 season behind him. The offseason strength and conditioning program is in full swing at Bank of America Stadium, and Delhomme is glad to be hitting restart again.

"It's been good," he said of his time in his hometown of Breaux Bridge, LA. "Can't say we ended last season on too good of a note, but we expect some big things this season. It's always hard to come back when you have been home for so long, but it was exciting to see everyone's face (Monday) and I'm ready to work."

The main storylines this offseason will be re-establishing chemistry with players who missed most of 2004 with injuries, as well as welcoming aboard some key free agents and the influx of draft choices next month.

For Delhomme, that primarily means re-learning where Steve Smith will be on the field. Smith and Delhomme clicked to the tune of 88 connections for 1,110 yards and seven touchdowns in 2003. It's time for Delhomme and Smith to find that rapport again.

"I can't say that we'll walk on the field and it will be there from the start, but I'm pretty confident that it won't take too long," said Delhomme. "I've talked to him numerous times during the offseason and he's ready to go. I kind of have an idea of what he does well, and that's just about everything. My job is the easy part. Just get him the ball and he does the rest. I anticipate a big year for him, but also for Keary Colbert."

Yes, Keary Colbert. While all eyes will be on Smith this offseason, Colbert will be going into his second season with a much better knowledge of what to expect after setting Panthers rookie records in 2004 with 47 receptions, 754 receiving yards and five touchdowns..

The rest of the story

By Brett Borden
Panthers.com

[CajunFan64]

One thing I think would be neat for Jake, and brandon, and Ike, and Peanut, and all those guys in the league is on like Monday night football when it comes up and they say who they are and what college they are from. I think it would be cool if they would say like Jake Delhomme THE University of Louisiana, kinda stealing a page from Ohio St. I know but not only would it promote the UL symbol for us, but it sure would ____ the Tiggers off something good, and I just love to ruffle their feathers whenever I can.

Geaux Cajuns

[shof]

Originally posted by CajunFan64
One thing I think would be neat for Jake, and brandon, and Ike, and Peanut, and all those guys in the league is on like Monday night football when it comes up and they say who they are and what college they are from. I think it would be cool if they would say like Jake Delhomme THE University of Louisiana, kinda stealing a page from Ohio St. I know but not only would it promote the UL symbol for us, but it sure would tick the Tiggers off something good, and I just love to ruffle their feathers whenever I can.

Geaux Cajuns

I like it! Are you listening guys