Jake Delhomme: Coach?

[PhillyB]

Jake's tenure with the Panthers is almost certainly up. He might stay as a backup (he's not going to get paid forty-two million for nothing) but his days as a starter are done. His retirement is imminent.

There's a chance he could go into the broadcasting booth, though he somehow seems like an awkward fit there. But what about coaching?

He's definitely got the leadership skills for it. Any guy who can underperform as much as he did this year and still have his teammates' undying loyalty has to be a hell of a leader. That's exactly what a coach does: just like one of Jake's many fourth-quarter comebacks, a good coach will bring the team together when their backs are against the wall and fight for victory.

Skills to be implemented? This is a tough one... the most obvious suggestion would be quarterback coach, but given Delhomme's struggles at the position, is this a realistic option? (You could argue, of course, that the surgery on his arm is what did him in, and therefore he still has plenty to offer as a teacher, as his arm, rather than his mind, is where his flaw lies.)

Playcalling? This might actually be a strength for Delhomme, given his knack for changing plays at the line (read: predicting defensive plays and attempting to create mismatches with the offense.)

So... could it happen?

[Ja Rhule]

Delhomme would rather take care of his horses

[frash.exe]

i don't think so

i mean what is he going to teach young QBs? How to throw off your back foot? How to not take a sack when you should and helplessly heave the ball into triple coverage?

if you're looking for good qualities in a QB coach you need to find someone that can teach proper footwork, follow through, throwing motion, etc. Leadership and 4th quarter comebacks cannot be taught (I highly doubt Jake picked up leadership capabilities from the esteemed QB coaching of the Saints in the late 90s/early 00s and from Mike McCoy), they are more involved with player character and game toughness or quality control.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Delhomme would rather take care of his horses

Every time someone mentions Delhomme and his horses, I think about Talladega Nights, with that scene where the two gay dudes are taking care of their gay horses.

[Saint J]

I could see Jake going back to coach at his alma mater(UL-Lafayette) but not the NFL. It wouldn't surprise me to see him come to Saints camp to compete for a backup job in a year or two.

[PhillyB]

i don't think so

i mean what is he going to teach young QBs? How to throw off your back foot? How to not take a sack when you should and helplessly heave the ball into triple coverage?

do as i say, not as i do?

if you're looking for good qualities in a QB coach you need to find someone that can teach proper footwork, follow through, throwing motion, etc. Leadership and 4th quarter comebacks cannot be taught (I highly doubt Jake picked up leadership capabilities from the esteemed QB coaching of the Saints in the late 90s/early 00s and from Mike McCoy), they are more involved with player character and game toughness or quality control.

i agree, it's a dubious prospect at best. another role (if any) seems more likely. the problem is, to get to a coordinating position, you usually have to have prior experience coaching a specific position; kind of limited there.

[Davidson Deac II]

IMO, the guys without natural talent make better coaches. I think that Jake would be a better coach than someone like Peyton Manning.

[panthers55]

Actually most of your best coaches are your backups, second stringers and guys who did not play at a high level if at all. Many time top athletes don't make good coaches. I doubt Jake would want to do it. Like most players who earned enough to be comfortable, why would they coach which requires they work much longer hours than they ever did as players.

[rayzor]

it was only a matter of time....

former player or soon to be former player?

hey! lets make them a coach!

no. no. no. no.

[Swarly]

Jake would make a great mentor, in my opinion. He's been to the top of his game, and all the way to the bottom. I hate when people ignore what he's done for this franchise, and even the super bowl loss wasn't his fault, he played lights out, and has played lights out in most playoff appearances. I'll always like the guy, and hope he retires in Carolina, even if it's as a backup.

[Sam Mills Fan]

Jake won't want to stay in Charlotte once his obligation to the team is up. Once his playing career is over, he'll retire to Louisiana where he'll be very successful at whatever business venture he sets his mind to. It might involve horses; it might not.

[unicar15]

Don't think he'd wanna and I personally just don't want to have a team with Delhomme anywhere near it. His tenure is over here (or should be). Just pay him his 13 mil guaranteed and lets have a fresh start.

[rayzor]

Jake won't want to stay in Charlotte once his obligation to the team is up. Once his playing career is over, he'll retire to Louisiana where he'll be very successful at whatever business venture he sets his mind to. It might involve horses; it might not.

i have absolutely no doubt in my mind that this will happen.

i hope nothing but the best for him....somewhere else. it's time for him and the panthers to move on. hopefully both will be successful when they do part ways.

[Razzy]

Actually, few know this but Jake already has a self-coaching book for QBs in pre-production. The short list of the current chapters include:

1) Forward: My Success in the League

2) How to Hand off the Ball

3) Play-action passing: no fakes required

4) Lockdown: Finding your primary reciever

5) Putting the ball where no one can get it

6) The Smoke Route

7) Taking a sack: no grip required

8) The 8 second Pocket

9) Fiddlesticks: Managing gametime frustration

10) Getting in good with your coach

11) Faking injuries on your way to retirement

Hasn't found a publisher yet. Weird.