Delhomme: Down-home talking
They love Jake down in Carolina:
COMMENTARY
Delhomme: Down-home talking
SCOTT FOWLER
It is rare these days that fans get to ask a question directly to a sports star.
The gap between the people who ultimately pay the salary for pro athletes and the athletes themselves has grown dramatically in an era of gated communities, closed practices and private planes.
Which is why it was interesting -- and refreshing -- to hear regular folks conduct an impromptu interview with Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme Tuesday at the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
After a brief speech in front of a crowd of 520 Panthers supporters -- the largest crowd in the 13-year history of Charlotte Touchdown Club luncheons -- Delhomme began a question-and-answer session. His replies showed Delhomme for the man he still is -- a small-town, baby-faced quarterback from Louisiana who still can't quite believe what's happening to him but will enjoy the carousel for as long as the music lasts.
As Delhomme began the Q-and-A, he offered his philosophy on all tough questions.
"If I don't know the answer, I'll B.S. my way around it," he said.
"We're making our reservation for Jacksonville," site of the next Super Bowl, a Panthers fan quickly said to Delhomme. "Do you consider that a good investment?"
"What time of year are you planning on going?" Delhomme deadpanned.
He won't come anywhere close to guaranteeing the Panthers a return trip to the Super Bowl this season. Although he is a confident, fiery player, he also knows that the NFL is inherently unpredictable.
Who would have predicted, for instance, that Delhomme would rise from obscurity to a Super Bowl quarterback in his first season as an NFL starter? It was no coincidence that his magical 2003 season dovetailed with the Panthers' first Super Bowl trip.
Delhomme does believe, based on the Panthers' recent mini-camp, that the team remains hungry.
"A lot of teams get fat and lazy after a good season," Delhomme said. "I don't see that happening here, and I don't think I have blinkers on."
Among Delhomme's replies to other questions from fans:
•_On which former teammate he wished the Panthers had re-signed for 2004: "Kevin Donnalley." Delhomme said the popular offensive lineman was a good player with a knack for keeping things light in the locker room.
•_On what Delhomme thought just as he entered his first Panthers game in September, trailing 17-0 to Jacksonville: "This is what you've been waiting for your whole life. Don't blow it."
•_On the most memorable moment of last season: "Sam Mills' `Keep pounding!' pregame speech before the Dallas playoff game." Delhomme said he was among a number of players who fought through tears during Mills' speech.
•_On Jordan Gross' 2004 move from right to left tackle: "We'll be fine there. Jordan Gross played unbelievable last year. You never would have guessed he was a rookie."
•_On the best defenses he faced last season: "Tennessee and New England."
•_On being unimpressed with his 85-yard Super Bowl touchdown pass to Muhsin Muhammad: "If I had to rank 20 plays this year, that's No. 20 because of the outcome of the game."
I did ask Delhomme one question -- about his contract status.
The Panthers badly need to re-sign Delhomme, 29, to a multi-year deal this offseason. If he has another season anything like 2003, he will be a very expensive free agent at the end of 2004 (and could leave entirely).
Delhomme wants to stay here. The Panthers have indicated they want to keep him. A contract extension will probably occur this summer, both sides say.
"I would assume something will happen," Delhomme said. "I'd love to finish up my time here. That would be great. That would be my dream come true."
Scott Fowler: (704) 358-5140; sfowler@charlotteobserver.com.
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