It's time for a change

by bwsmith25 on Oct 25, 2009 8:14 PM EDT Comment 22 comments

This is my first blog post here, so please bear with me and don't hate on me too much.

I'm sure all of you watched the game today and thought the same thing -- when is John Fox going to bench Delhomme and put in Matt Moore? How much worse does Delhomme have to play before a change is made? In my opinion, a change needs to be made now, before it's too late. The Panthers are not mathematically out of the playoff hunt just yet, but give Jake a few more weeks and they will be out of it before you can say Chris Weinke. More after the jump...

I know a lot of fans get reactionary when their favorite team loses a winnable game. The first thing that is usually said is "fire the coach", or "change the quarterback", or some other outcry from the fanbase. But, the fans of the Panthers have a legitimate beef with the way things are going in Charlotte at this point in the season. The Panthers had a chance to get back to .500 and back into the playoff hunt with a win against an inferior Bills team, but once again they were set back by the ineptitude of their starting quarterback.

Now, I am not a fan who goes off the deep end following a loss, and I'm not a fan who uses hyperbole to make my point. So, I am not going to say that Jake Delhomme is the worst quarterback in the league, because he isn't (statistically). But, he is one of the worst. The chart below illustrates the 5 worst quarterbacks in the league, based on passer rating. (These ratings do not include today's games.)

RANK	PLAYER	RATING
35	Derek Anderson	40.6
34	Josh Johnson	50.9
33	JaMarcus Russell	51.0
32	Mark Sanchez	56.7
31	Jake Delhomme	56.8

As one can see, Delhomme is certainly poor at the quarterback position so far this season. So poor, in fact, that two of the four quarterbacks that have worse ratings than Delhomme are rookies, and the other two play for the two laughing-stocks of the NFL. So what do these numbers and rankings mean?

Apparently they don't mean much to John Fox, because he is adamant in his desire to stick with Delhomme at quarterback. Obviously Fox doesn't look at statistics, because if he did he would feel the need to make a change at the most important position on the offense. And what has Delhomme brought to the table this season? Take a look at his stats below. (These stats do not include today's game against Buffalo.)

PLAYER	ATT	COMP	%	YDS	TD	INT
Delhomme	79	133	59.4	847	4	10

Clearly these are not statistics of a top-level quarterback in the NFL. If this were any other team, Delhomme would have been benched in favor of the backup. But why is Delhomme still the starting quarterback? What is it about Matt Moore that prevents him from getting a chance to lead the team?

At this point in the season, the Panthers must make a change before they are completely out of the playoff race. As it stands now they are a long shot to make the playoffs, but if they can get a some wins on the board over the next few weeks they can find themselves back in the hunt. Unfortunately they will not be able to do that with Delhomme under center, and I believe that John Fox will realize that next season when he is watching the Panthers play on Sundays from his recliner at home.

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My Opinion

Jake threw for a lot of yards today and I really think he is the best quarterback on the roster…the turnovers are just killing the team. His throws are sailing and even the passes he throws beyond 10 yards past the line of scrimmage aren’t accurate. He may be the quarterback that gives the Panthers the best chance to win, but he is also the quarterback that is giving us the best chance to lose at this point. I know this may not make a whole lot of sense, but I think it is about that time to start someone else. If anything give Jake a week off and get his head together.

It seems like there have been a ton of INT’s that “aren’t his fault” this year to the point I actually wonder if they are his fault. Case in point: The INT to Smith today where he threw the ball high and Smith tipped the ball to Byrd. It’s not Jake’s fault there but he also didn’t hit Smith in the numbers. I think we may be at the point where Jake needs to be sit for a week or two. He shows flashes but he just can’t be counted on at this point.

And yes, I know there will be others who may disagree with me and point out what a “winner” he is and what he has done for the Panthers in the past. It’s NOW and all that doesn’t really matter. He is at 4TD and 12 INT. That’s a lot of stuff that has gone on which “isn’t his fault.” If the Panthers have a QB who the coaching staff has faith in and takes care of the ball I can easily see them being .500 right now. I have no proof of this but Jake can’t throw the ball with much accuracy anymore and he can’t take care of the ball. He needs a break.

by bengoodfella on Oct 25, 2009 8:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you

Some of the INT’s can be blamed on the receivers, but the fact that Delhomme couldn’t hit a receiver downfield if he was carrying a 50 gallon drum brings all blame back to the QB.

The recievers can’t be expected to catch every ball that is thrown 10 yards too far, they are doing their job in running routes and getting open — Jake just isn’t hitting them.

by bwsmith25 on Oct 25, 2009 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lets see what AJ Feeley can do!!!

by Advocatus on Oct 25, 2009 9:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

13 picks

Not like I’m counting. I think safeties have 7 or 8 of those. After reviewing the tape he is responsible for 10 of them. I give him a pass on the one in the cowboys game where moose didnt jump and the one where steve broke off the route. If its tipped because of a high throw or a throw behind the receiver its his fault. The pass to moore was horrible. If he hits steve in stride today instead of being high and outside its 6 and not a pick. I can throw picks put me in. LOL seriously Jake is my guy. The win in SD last year boosted my morale in Iraq. The cardinals game almost made me crash my bird.

by sincedayone on Oct 25, 2009 9:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Matt Moore needs to start.

A.J Feeley is illogical to the long term success of the franchise.

Feeley is 32, and while he’s better than Moore NOW… he wont help us evaluate the QB position prior to the draft.

However, by starting Moore you give a 25 year old kid a shot, evaluate his ability and know where you stand for April. That doesn’t mean you still don’t draft a QB if he performs, but you spend a 4th rounder on one rather than a 2nd.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.

by James The Aussie on Oct 25, 2009 9:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Who do you think they should go after in the draft?

I’ve heard a lot of names thrown around various places, but I’m curious as to who you would suggest the Panthers try and draft.

I would go after Max Hall (BYU) or Zac Robinson (OKST), because I think they would be best suited for the style of offense that the Panthers run.

by bwsmith25 on Oct 25, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t want Max Hall. I have watched him play and don’t believe he is the answer. I could be wrong and I am afraid Zac Robinson is a beneficiary of that system he plays in. I would lean towards Hall over Robinson though. Now that I have nixed both those guys, I really don’t know who the Panthers could get. Brian Brohm?

by bengoodfella on Oct 25, 2009 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My short list:

- Max Hall
- Sam Bradford (god willing he falls)
- Pike

Those are my favorites.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.

by James The Aussie on Oct 25, 2009 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would be shocked

if Bradford fell far enough for us to pick him up.

by bwsmith25 on Oct 25, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

his shoulder surgery

and a bad combine would do. at this point, it’s hard to believe that he’ll be a 1st rounder after the season ending injury.

by Shockers on Oct 26, 2009 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I sort of agree. I think Jake just needs a few weeks off and we can see if Moore can do anything. If he doesn’t, then Jake got a week or two off and may have had a chance to regroup and figure out what is going wrong. I know it’s hard to pull a QB and then put him back in, but I think it is owed to the team to at least give Jake a break and let Moore start.

I know our old friend MP would disagree and perhaps insult my intelligence (I see him on Darin Gantt’s page berating him for saying negative things about Jake), but the bottom line is that Jake is not playing with enough ability to control his passes like he has in the past.

by bengoodfella on Oct 25, 2009 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A change HAS to be made

If Moore comes in and stinks up the joint, so be it — but the kid deserves a shot.

I know it’s a long shot (and I am not comparing the two), but I remember when Drew Bledsoe wasn’t getting the job done anymore in New England and they put in some kid named Tom Brady — it worked out pretty well for the Patriots.

For all we know Moore could be the next Tom Brady. And, he could be the next Joey Harrington. But, we the fans deserve to find out.

by bwsmith25 on Oct 25, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I remember correctly

Bledsoe was indeed getting the job done, but an injury forced in Brady. Bledsoe was not going to get pulled (signed a 10 yr, $103 million contract that offseason). Bledsoe actually came in for Brady (injury) in the AFC title game and played well – causing alot of Pats fans to be split on who should be starting the super bowl.

So, a little different situation we have here. But yeah, I’m sure we will see Moore at some point down the line considering the way this season is going. And while I agree that we don’t know exactly what we have in him – I would argue that we do know at least a little of what we have. He has played in game action before and we see him every day in practice. This isn’t just some unknown guy being thrown out there – we have seen him play before. Alot.

by R-F on Oct 26, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Yeah, the only reason Brady got any opportunity was because Bledsoe went down injured.

Now, Bledsoe being benched in Dallas for Tony Romo is another story.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.

by James The Aussie on Oct 26, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No one ever agrees with me, so I didn’t want to point out it was an injury that got Brady in the game.

by bengoodfella on Oct 26, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right...

I got him mixed up with Romo — I knew Bledsoe was pulled for a young unproven QB, I just put the wrong guy. Thanks for catching my mistake.

by bwsmith25 on Oct 26, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The worst things could be doing nothing at all

… and we’’l just have to see what happens from this point moving forward…

If the coaching staff chooses to do nothing, then at this point, it’s all on the coaching staff. They’re clearly NOT putting the best option on the field to suceed. Because if a 3 int, 0 TD QB is our best option, then they’ve already settled for mediocrity.

I refuse to believe, at this point, that Matt Moore could be WORSE than what we’re seeing . And it would be a crying shame for them to put him in and NOT coach him through the obvious rookie mistakes he’s bound to make, just to justify Delhomme’s presence.

Our defense played their hearts out.. it’s a thumb in the eye to them to turn around and put a shameful offensive performance on the field time and time again, knowing you’ve got an unstable QB at the helm.

by 12th_Man_Fan on Oct 25, 2009 10:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What do you think about this?

Place Jake on IR with H1int1….No seriously deactivate him bring Cantwell up from the practice squad and lets see what he and Moore can do before we get sold on the drafting a qb(an area where we suck..see Fasani, Leflors, Weinke ect.). I know that means writing off the season but its kinda over isnt?

by sincedayone on Oct 25, 2009 10:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

H1int1...

That’s classic!!!

by bwsmith25 on Oct 25, 2009 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

dont you mean?

H1int13?

by dudemanhey on Oct 26, 2009 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Moore first

Then towards the end of the season why not throw Cantwell to the wolves.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.

by James The Aussie on Oct 25, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If it was my team

Jake would have been out after pick #2. I’d still start him versus Arizona though, and I think the coaches will do the same. However, if I was the coach, he would be on a VERY short leash. One pick and you’re out, heck if you’re making bad throws get to the bench. We know what we have in Delhomme, it’s time to see what we have in Moore.

by Flowing Willow on Oct 26, 2009 3:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs