By now you’ve heard the news: Quarterback Jake Delhomme was cut Friday night by the Carolina Panthers.

I’m not mad or sad. “Shocked” is the word that comes to mind.

I knew that Julius Peppers – a.k.a., the 20+ Million Dollar Man – would be gone next season, but Delhomme, the Golden Boy of Charlotte?

No way!

I understand all the talk about the economics of the move, but over the years, the Panthers have lauded Delhomme as if he were untouchable. And this past season it took a mysterious broken finger for him to sit and Matt Moore to start. (I’m not saying the injury wasn’t legitimate, but it seemed so convenient.)

Off the field, Delhomme was always the good guy, someone who didn’t embarrass the team or the Qcity. On the field, however, he had his good times – the Super Bowl run in 2003 season – and his bad – 18 interceptions in 11 games last year.

Panthers fans who still supported Delhomme shouldn’t feel too bad for him. Carolina still has to write him checks for nearly $13 million, and several NFL teams still need signal callers.

It now appears that Moore is in the driver’s seat, but management would be wise to do a thorough inspection before handing over the keys. Moore looked good in the games he started toward the end of last season, going 4-1, but don’t let the numbers fool you.

The most consistent part of the Panthers offense in 2009 was the running game, where they had two 1,100-yard rushers in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. In those four wins, Stewart rushed for more than 100 yards in each. He also had a total of four touchdowns.

Memo to the Panthers: Get a quarterback in the draft and make sure there’s a proven veteran in training camp, too. Oh wait, you just cut him.

Damon Ford is a former journalist who is now a public relations professional working in the public and private sectors in Charlotte.
 

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