Mickles: Delhomme eyes future

• By SHELDON MICKLES
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 6, 2009 - Page: 1C

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To be sure, this has not been the best of years for Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme.

First, there was that turnover-filled meltdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Divisional Playoffs in January.

Then, there was the 0-3 start to the 2009 season — complete with nine Delhomme giveaways — and the chest injury he suffered in last Sunday’s win over the Cardinals.

In between, there was a rocky stretch in which he threw 10 interceptions and two TDs in the Panthers’ four losses — which nearly earned him a seat on the bench.

But the affable Delhomme, who played for the New Orleans Saints from 1998-2002, is certainly looking forward these days, not back.

“It (his start) was very tough,” he said during a conference call Wednesday. “For me, as a football player, that’s the biggest thing. I always prided myself in being there for my team and making plays when they needed to be made.

“I wasn’t doing that, I was turning it over and putting us in bad situations. I was pressing a great deal, trying to search and find an answer. Obviously, that didn’t work.”

With another chance from coach John Fox, Delhomme played better in the 34-21 must-have win over the Cardinals even though he was knocked out of the game with a chest injury in the third period.

But just being able to play was a relief to the 11-year veteran, who has thrown 13 interceptions and lost two fumbles to go with a passer rating of 59.3.

“I wouldn’t have been shocked either way,” Delhomme said of Fox’s decision. “When you’re the head guy, you have to do what’s right for the team, and I hadn’t played well enough in a few games. I was going to have to respect his decision.

“I was very happy that I was able to be under center last week.”

And this week.

The Breaux Bridge native has two perfectly good reasons to look ahead: he and the Panthers have won three of their last four games to earn back some respect and they face his former team in the Superdome on Sunday.