Quarterback Jake Delhomme's energy earns him the starting spot against the Bucs.
By JOANNE KORTH
Published September 13, 2003
Players in the Panthers huddle felt Jake Delhomme's presence when the backup quarterback entered Sunday's game against the Jaguars midway through the third quarter.
How could they not?
Delhomme slapped everyone's hand.
Too spunky to ignore, Delhomme replaced Rodney Peete and rallied Carolina to a 24-23 victory. As a reward, he will make his third career start, first since 1999, Sunday against the Bucs in a key NFC South game.
"They have a history of treating quarterbacks who've been in the game not very well," Delhomme said of Tampa Bay's tormenting defense. "I just need to play smart football and try not to give them anything easy."
Delhomme, a relative unknown, has a history with the Bucs.
As the Saints backup last season, Delhomme replaced injured Aaron Brooks in the final two minutes with the Saints leading 23-20 at the Superdome. After netting 2 yards on consecutive runs, New Orleans faced third and 8 and needed a first down to run out the clock.
Delhomme coolly hit Joe Horn with a 10-yard slant.
"It was extremely brief," Delhomme said of his experience against the Bucs. "Just two handoffs and then Joe Horn ran a great route and I was lucky enough to hit him for a first down. I can't say you learn a whole lot from that."
Not about the Bucs, perhaps.
But plenty about Delhomme.
A 28-year-old native of tiny Breaux Bridge, La., about 50 miles from Baton Rouge, Delhomme is plucky. In his fifth season, he has appeared in seven regular-season games, including two starts with New Orleans in 1999. He is 62-of-106 for 756 yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions.
His journey has been lengthy.
Delhomme played at Louisiana-Lafayette. He signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1997, but did not make the team.
Undaunted, he spent two seasons on the Saints practice squad and in NFL Europe. After three seasons of serving primarily as New Orleans' third-string quarterback, he earned the backup job in 2002.
This season, Delhomme signed with Carolina for the chance to compete for the starting job against Peete, a veteran nearing the end of his career, and former Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke. Though all three played well during the preseason, coach John Fox chose Peete because he was the least prone to mistakes.
Then came the opener.
In the first half against Jacksonville, the Panthers offense generated 36 yards. Peete was 4-for-10 for 19. Fox decided it was time for a change.
"I had to do something to spark the team," Fox said.
Delhomme entered the huddle with 8:52 left in the third, though entered does not adequately describe how Delhomme joined his teammates.
In truth, he bounded.
"He was bouncing all over the place," offensive tackle Todd Steussie told reporters. "I think he took two steps to get into the huddle. He was almost floating, he was so excited."
Delhomme was 12-of-20 for 122 yards with three touchdowns (13, 24 and 12) and two interceptions. Trailing 23-18 in the fourth, Delhomme guided a 54-yard, 12-play drive, hitting Ricky Proehl for the winning score with 16 seconds left.
The 17-point deficit is the largest the Panthers have overcome. The mark was 14 points against the Falcons in 1995.
"He's got a tremendous amount of poise for a young guy," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said of Delhomme. "He's got a strong arm. He can throw the ball into tight coverages and get results."
About to start for the first time in four seasons, Delhomme said he would not approach Sunday's game any differently.
"Maybe there will be more of an anxiousness come Sunday morning, knowing I am getting out there first," said Delhomme, 6 feet 2, 215 pounds. "I'm going to prepare the same and really dive into the game plan, dive into the films. I'm going to try to pick up anything on their defense to give us an edge on Sunday."
