NFL brainiac John Clayton declares the Panthers’ decision not to go out and get a backup for Jake Delhomme one of his worst non-moves of the off-season. Sounds like Clayton is still trying to cover for fellow S-PIN know-it-aller Chris Mortensen’s declaration on Draft Day that he “knew” Jerry Richardson wanted another QB.
Mort and John need only look across the set to Keyshawn Johnson to be reminded that the Big Cat is in the tank for Jake. Keyshawn got run out of town by Richardson for failing to take the blame for some of Jake’s INTs during Johnson’s lone season with the Panthers.
Then there is the fact that the Panthers really like both Matt Moore and Brett Basanez. In fact, had Basanez not been injured last year along with Jake, the team never goes to Moore or Grandpa Vinny. Third, the Panthers — to the Fox-Hurney way of thinking — did get a backup for Jake — they went all-out for a power running game. The Panthers get a 1200+ yard year out of Jonathan Stewart and the QB position becomes much easier to fill.
Fourth, the team clearly thinks Jake is coming back as good as — or better — in arm strength. Clayton can disagree with that assumption, but the Panthers have clearly improved other aspects of the offense regardless, reducing the need for Jake to carry the team.
Clatyon and Mortensen obviously have a source who doesn’t like Jake, hasn’t for years now. That’s fine. However, it is getting kinda old. Recall the story line last year among some network “experts” was that the signing of David Carr meant that Jake might be challenged for the starting slot. Didn’t exactly happen that way.
