Panthers Delhomme recognized by ESPN
Former Carolina Panthers quarterback, Jake Delhomme, selected as the best undrafted player in team history…
Louisiana native Jake Delhomme began his NFL career with divisional rival New Orleans but eventually found his way to Charlotte. Carolina Panthers coach John Fox took notice of Delhomme after a game against the Dallas Cowboys where Delhomme threw two touchdowns and won his first NFL start.
Delhomme had enjoyed some success in NFL Europe, winning the 1999 World Bowl as a member of the Frankfurt Galaxy. After going undrafted and spending time with the Saints and in Europe on two separate occasions, he was finally tabbed as an NFL starter but became a free agent following the 2002 season.
Hoping to compete for a full-time starting position, Delhomme eventually selected Carolina over Dallas and led the Panthers to their first ever Super Bowl appearance as the starter. In his first year playing in the Queen City, Delhomme and the Panthers won 11 games and the NFC South.
After an impressive run through the playoffs with wins over Dallas, a double-overtime victory at St. Louis and on the road in Philadelphia the Panthers would fall to New England in the Super Bowl. Although they would not return to the championship game, Delhomme entrenched himself as the starter and remained for six more seasons.
ESPN anaylst David Newton selected Delhomme as the Panthers best undrafted player in team history offering the following comments on the former quarterback.
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"This could easily be linebacker Sam Mills, who is the only player with his statue in front of Bank of America Stadium. But Delhomme, who began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Saints, led the Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII in his first season in Carolina (2003) and was the team’s career leader in most passing categories until Cam Newton came along. Delhomme made his first Pro Bowl in 2005 and was the Panthers’ starter from 2003 to 2009."
Behind Newton, who was drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in 2011, Delhomme’s accomplishments were remarkable. He failed to be selected but is unquestionably the second best quarterback in team history.
Next: Offseason Roster Review - Defense
As the NFL Draft approaches, this raises the question on just how much stock to put into when players are selected.