How to fix it (Quarterback)

[Diogi]

The Jake I saw last night was a very accurate passer. I don't know what game the Jake haters were watching! I don't know if the pass to Moose

was intentionally underthrown or not, but I am certain that If another Quarterback(Manning, Brees, Rivers, Farve)had thrown it, the announcers, media, and fans would automatically "know" it was intentional, brilliantly done, and that the receiver made a bad play, or the defender made a great one. Moose appeared unable to make a play on the ball...off balance or tired...I don't believe it was a lack of desire on his part.

I think Jake will regain his swagger. One thing for certain is that Jake is tough...both mentally and physically. He didn't play two disasterous games a row, as so many keep bringing up. This is Bullshit, there was a entire off- season and four pre-season games in between. The Cardinal's game was last season, and the play calling for the Panthers is unimaginative and predictable. I don't know why so many people were high on the Davidson hire. Davidson...isn't he an ex-lineman. What do they know about putting the ball in the end zone? Also, why do some Panther receivers have a hard time learning this playbook?

Maybe the Panthers should sign a couple of the other teams' corner backs to play receiver, all those guys already know our playbook.

[Frydaddy]

Jake just acts and looks beat. His fire that made him inspirational is not there, he is obviously second-guessing himself on the field and off, and that lack of confidence is (IMO) spreading to the rest of the offense and the team in general.

Fox is not doing anything to rekindle that spark, and it may well be gone for good. Somebody said it a while back: Jake's best asset was his intensity and fearlessness. He does not have that any more. Matt Moore may very well not be the future of this team, but it is incredibly demotivating when what you are doing is not working, but the powers that be refuse to change...in my office it results in high turnover, on the field it apparently results in a team that doesn't give a damn.

Give Moore a shot - he did OK when Jake got hurt and may improve if given the playing time. If he doesn't work out, we're in the same boat we're in now.

[Mr. Scot]

Jake is definitely tough, and he's come back from other people doubting him before.

Can he come back from doubting himself though?

There are definite signs that the doubt is creeping into his on-field performance:

- failure to audible at appropriate times (as mentioned by Delhommey)

- waiting just a half-second too long to make some throws he'd have made before

- hurrying other throws because he feels pressure more than before

- not having the same kind of fire as before, instead looking often like a beaten man

It happens to a lot of us as we get older. We start driving a little slower than we used to, talking a little softer than we used to, being a little less arrogant and more measured in our opinions, taking a little longer to make decisions than we once did...

Again, not necessarily an awful thing, unless your job depends on you having that mojo.

This one does

[JungleCat]

I agree with starting Moore to see if he can be a leader and stay healthy. Nothing to lose at this point.

[Seamonk]

Jake Delhomme came in as a youthful energy spark to a deflated team with old ass Rodney Peete. If that's all it took to get these guys pumped and wanting to win, then Matt Moore is the answer.

[Khyber53]

Right now, Jake isn't doing any better or any worse than anyone else on the team.

Sad to say, but its true.

Too many people on the team are so afraid of making a mistake that they don't do anything. Look at the tackling last night... four guys stood around and watched rather than making a tackle in the first half. It's like they were all afraid of missing the tackle and so they just stood there like idiots.

Thankfully Davis caught the receiver from behind and laid him out.

[Wither]

Delhomme is normally one of the most media savvy guys there is, but you just can't talk publicly about doubting yourself when your team is in crisis.

So which is it? Did he merely make the mistake of saying he doubts himself sometimes in public, or is doubting yourself at times a mistake that requires benching?

If it's the latter, then I'm not sure you're going to find the kind of guy you're looking for. Everyone doubts themselves; we either throw the thought aside, repress it or it plays out until we have more reason to believe in ourselves.

I understand what you're saying and it's a great thread and post, but I think you are a bit off when talking about doubting yourself. I think there is a line between doubting oneself and not believing in oneself. The former involves certain aspects or moments and the thought that "I'm pretty sure I can do this, but what if I can't?". However, not believing in oneself involves a total loss of confidence and self-esteem: "I can't do this - I'm no good."

Maybe it's mere terminology, but I don't believe Jake has reached the point that you think he has. It's hard to go from being a pretty successful NFL QB (look at how many are not - such as the ones who sit on the bench their entire career) to being a QB who thinks he can't perform, even though he's done so many times.

[Squirrel]

Woos I still take those curves fast. But with age comes experience and I know where the Apex's are now.

[OneBadassCat]

The biggest thing I'm seeing in Jake is that he is not commanding the field. Sure, he's played better/smarter the past couple games but its like hes settling for less imo. He's done a better job at hitting other targets but like I said I'm not seeing the rajun cajun. This is why we need to be running no huddle to give Delhomme a little more control of the offense.

Its like he wants the offense to score but he's not "taking" it if you catch my drift.

[contemptor]

I don't agree whatsoever with the benching part. We have two weak opponents in a row after the bye. Jake should start them. The season's not over yet, and it gives the team a chance to get rolling. If he has good games versus these teams and we can win, keep him in. If we lose these games, the season is shot anyway, then give Moore a chance to see what he can do.

[natty]

Great analogy Scot. You've hit the nail on the head.

[Wither]

The biggest thing I'm seeing in Jake is that he is not commanding the field. Sure, he's played better/smarter the past couple games but its like hes settling for less imo. He's done a better job at hitting other targets but like I said I'm not seeing the rajun cajun. This is why we need to be running no huddle to give Delhomme a little more control of the offense.

Its like he wants the offense to score but he's not "taking" it if you catch my drift.

Maybe you mean he is merely reacting to what's going on and not actively trying to make a change in the game?

I'd buy that. I'd also blame that on both him and the coaching staff; give him more control and he will start to look to make things happen. Otherwise, he's just doing what he's been told to do.

[OneBadassCat]

Maybe you mean he is merely reacting to what's going on and not actively trying to make a change in the game?

I'd buy that. I'd also blame that on both him and the coaching staff; give him more control and he will start to look to make things happen. Otherwise, he's just doing what he's been told to do.

Exactly.

[natty]

If you think about it, look around the league at old players that end up retiring. Almost all of them still think they 'have it' but they get cut by their teams and don't get another chance. Not the panthers, our recent retired players do so because they just don't have anything left and they retire on their own. I mostly agree with Fox's attitude towards veteran players, I just think he holds on to them a bit too long. He can't let go.