Williams defends Jake

[carolinarolls]

That's who I was waiting for....

what is wrong with saying that? It's fact. Can I not say it because you predicted the obvious would happen?

I guess I'll "wait for someone to say" It looks like a nice day today and then roll my eyes and LOL when someone says it.

[Jangler]

Nah it's rainy and humid, not a nice day unless you're a duck...

[Mr. Scot]

Actually, the whole 'he has to say that' thing is pretty much fallacy. People can quote that all they want if it makes them feel better, but it isn't really true.

All he 'has to say' is essentially "he's my quarterback and I'm behind him". Anything beyond that is voluntary.

Williams has gone over and above here, even taking a swipe at negative fans. Not normally something I'd advise a player to do, but Williams has enough clout with fans that he can do it and get away with it.

Does it speak to Delhomme's ability? Not really.

Does it speak to the respect he has from teammates? Volumes.

[rayzor]

Actually, the whole 'he has to say that' thing is pretty much fallacy. People can quote that all they want if it makes them feel better, but it isn't really true.

All he 'has to say' is essentially "he's my quarterback and I'm behind him". Anything beyond that is voluntary.

Williams has gone over and above here, even taking a swipe at negative fans. Not normally something I'd advise a player to do, but Williams has enough clout with fans that he can do it and get away with it.

Does it speak to Delhomme's ability? Not really.

Does it speak to the respect he has from teammates? Volumes.

agreed completely. i don't think that anyone is saying, "see, this means he is the greatest QB and the best we could ever have." what most everyone is noticing is that this is the guy they want to have there and that they have the utmost confidence that he can and will do much better than what happened last year. they fully believe that he can get them that ring.

it really doesn't matter what any talking head or what any negative fan that williams was referring to or member of that lunatic fringe that gantt talked about says. like it or not, the team...players, coaches, FO believe that he can do it. You don't have to like it. You should accept it and move on, though. Just get over it and roll with the team. That's evidently what they want their fans to do. those that cry and moan about jake being the QB is pissing them off. does that mean you have to pull up your big girl panties? no, but you probably would enjoy the ride more if you did.

[Brandon]

Fact is Smitty bails him out a lot though on his bad passes cause he goes after everything and fights for every ball.

Yeah he got bailed out a lot by Smitty back in '04. Yup, I mean without Smitty he can't possibly do anything... We know he's not going to be an elite QB but the "if it weren't for Smitty" argument is a tired one, and has been proven wrong time and again.

[monstercat]

Actually, I kind of think that Delhomme may actually be a little better without Smitty. Just look at how he was spreading the ball around in that Chargers game last year. The running game wasn't humming yet either, so Delhomme threw the ball about 40 times in that game and won it with his arm. Also, in 04, when Smitty was out for the year, Delhomme had probably his best statistical season ever.

The thing is, he knows that Smitty needs to be involved in the offense, and he knows that when a play breaks down, Smitty is his best bet to make something out of nothing regardless of whether he's covered or not.

[Sam Mills Fan]

Actually, I kind of think that Delhomme may actually be a little better without Smitty. Just look at how he was spreading the ball around in that Chargers game last year. The running game wasn't humming yet either, so Delhomme threw the ball about 40 times in that game and won it with his arm. Also, in 04, when Smitty was out for the year, Delhomme had probably his best statistical season ever.

The thing is, he knows that Smitty needs to be involved in the offense, and he knows that when a play breaks down, Smitty is his best bet to make something out of nothing regardless of whether he's covered or not.

Games Delhomme has had to play without Smitty since he joined the Panthers other than 2004 when Moose was playing like Jerry Rice in his prime:

2006

vs. Atlanta: 21 of 39 for 186 yards, 0 TDs, 1 pick, 6 points scored total

at Minnesota: 17 of 33 for 181 yards, 0 TDs, 0 picks, 13 points scored total

2008

at San Diego: 23 of 41 for 247 yards, 1 TD, 0 picks, 26 points scored total

vs. Chicago: 12 of 21 for 128 yards, 0 TDs, 1 pick, 17 points scored total

Under 200 yards passing 3 of the 4 times, 1 TD/2 picks, 15.5 points scored on average, 2-2 record

That's the definition of mediocre. If anyone knows of any other game that Jake had to play sans Smitty, let me know.

[Fireball77]

Eliminating 2004, huh? Great cherry picking to support your hatred!

[Sam Mills Fan]

How is it cherry picking? Muhammad played just as great as Smitty usually does in 2004 did he not? When Jake is playing without an All-Pro receiver, he's the poster child for mediocrity.

[Fireball77]

Yes indeed Moose and Smitty play their best ball without Jake. Go back that one up please.

[Sam Mills Fan]

It's impossible to prove that with Smitty seeing as how he's only had Jake as his quarterback (unless you're going to blame him for not having huge stats with Carr/Weinke/Testaverde as his backs and LOL at you if you do), but Muhammad's best consistent years came with Steve Beuerlein as quarterback.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Jake played well enough to get Moose (whose really more of a #2 WR) into the Pro Bowl. Without Jake, Smitty (a top 5 WR in the league) didn't make it. Anything else?

[eaton_branden1]

Yes indeed Moose and Smitty play their best ball without Jake. Go back that one up please.

He's better than Carr & Vinny your point? Moore can do what Jake does imho

[Sam Mills Fan]

Jake played well enough to get Moose (whose really more of a #2 WR) into the Pro Bowl. Without Jake, Smitty (a top 5 WR in the league) didn't make it. Anything else?

#2 receivers don't rack up 11,000 career yards.