Panthers Divisional Match-Up Quotes & Notes

by Jaxon on Jan 5, 2009 10:32 PM EST Comment 7 comments

Just when I need someone on my side when it comes to conveying how important QB Jake Delhomme is, LT Jordan Gross has got my back:

"You've seen a difference between last year and this year, having him and not having him," said left tackle Jordan Gross, who endured a 7-9 season with Delhomme sidelined last season. "He's definitely our leader and the whole team revolves around him."

Who would know better than Gross? JC? Anybody? I kid, I kid. It gets better:

Just like in the fourth quarter of close games, Delhomme's numbers improve in January. His playoff passer rating of 95.0 is better than any of the other 11 quarterbacks in the postseason this year.

Ouch! I'd like to say I hate it when I'm right but...I actually enjoy it a lot! I swear I didn't write this article though I'm sure you are wondering.

Looks like Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin, who torched the Panthers for 2 TD's in the last game, might be a scratch.

more after the jump...

Here' s a cool video dissecting how the Panthers run game sets up the Playmaker.

Here's what SBN's Cards blog Revenge of the Birds has to say about One and Done:

Apparently the Panthers will start as 9.5 point favorites

Is the Cardinals vs. Panthers divisional the worst match-up of the weekend?

More than anything else this is why the Panthers will win the Super Bowl:

"The camaraderie," he said. "It's just unbelievable. Great character. This is just a great, awesome group. When you've got 50 or 60 guys on the squad, it's hard for a lot of guys to get along; one guy has a problem with another, there's guys calling others out. With this squad, it's almost like a family; a brotherhood. Everybody gets along and everyone works well with each other."

Now I'm going to hear that Phil Collins song in my head all week.

Be sure to vote for RB DeAngelo Williams for Fed Ex Ground Player of the Year

Will the big guy be back in time to lay another hit on Edgerrin James?

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when Jordan Gross can stop causing us penalty yardage, then i’ll listen. I also hate it when i’m right, when the Associate Press writer notes all the three things i hate about Jake in the first few sentences of his article. There are tons of Jake critics just like me out there. I am glad CSR has one now.

Jake wins games for us. I will give him that. We will see how he handles this postseason, if he continues to do well in the postseason and put up above 90.0 QB rating, i might calm down a little.

by jamieclayton on Jan 5, 2009 11:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You're not the only one that gets on Jake around here

I knew you would like the beginning of that article

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Jan 6, 2009 12:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

mental toughness

I am usually a Jake hater, too, but I gotta givecredit where it’s due. We have to be objective. What I like about Jake’s leadership is he doesn’t fold in tough times. A great 4th quarter comeback by a QB usually happens after three bad quarters by the same guy. Jake has done that. But Jake understands clutch games and he has a way of tightening his game up a little here and there as the pressure mounts. As much as he has frustrated me, he should have been allowed to throw on 1st down against the Giants. If the birds get ahead early, he may have to throw more. We’ll see. I just think that Jake’s mental toughness and work ethic are what separate him from most other QBs, not his talent, skill or his arm. Those things are above average, but mental toughness can tenacity can turn above average into a win. And when only one team had a better record than us this year, we have to cut him a little slack.

by usana_gaines on Jan 6, 2009 7:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree that we should cut jake some slack

but that doesn’t mean we can’t quietly look for an upgrade at the position. He does have a few flaws that are hard to overcome. plus he is getting up thier in the age category.

by JStew28 on Jan 6, 2009 10:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

thank you. come join the fight.

by jamieclayton on Jan 6, 2009 10:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jake is the best QB in Panther's history

The best QB in the league (Drew Breeze) isn’t even in the playoffs! It’s because stats don’t always equal wins. Jake has all the intangibles needed to WIN. AND unlike 1st overall picks, Testeverde and Carr, he knows how to best get the ball to Smitty. He has done more for this team than any other QB in the team’s history. That deserves a lot of credit.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Jan 6, 2009 3:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

southtunnel

You’re right. When you get past the stats, and look at the player, there are things that are hard to ignore. One thing about him is that he doesn’t just tank in the 4th quarter or tough games because he’s had it bad the first couple quarters. It sounds simple, but there are many QBs who do give up and get discouraged. I think Jason Campbell is a good example. The first half of the season, he played lights out football, and after a couple tough games, he seemed like he really didn’t even like football anymore. We can look for a better QB than Jake, but the only way to get one, in my opinion, is to draft one in this year’s 1st round, and let him sit behind Jake the way Rodgers sat behind Favre. Let the guy sit for two or three years and watch Jake’s work ethic and determination. The guy should be Tim Tebow by the way, but he won’t be available by the time we pick in the 2nd round.

As for the best QB in Panthers history, well Beuerlein had an incredible season, then an above average one, and then George Seifert dumped him for Weinke. Seifert really set the organization back a couple years. Because Beuerlein’s two years are the only competition, Jake is easily the best QB we’ve ever had. Not only that, but when he retires, he’ll have led us to at least one Superbowl victory.

by usana_gaines on Jan 7, 2009 8:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs