Jake Delhomme was released from the Panthers today. There were tears shed and hands wrung by General Manager Matt Hurney and John Fox when they faced the press this morning.
Hurney got choked up during the press conference, saying it was the hardest decision he’s ever had to make. I seriously doubt it was the hardest, but it’s a good sound byte for the press.
“It’s really hard to describe how hard this was,” he said. “It’s hard not to get emotional when you talk about it because he epitomizes everything we want. He’s been an excellent player for us.”
It’s hard to let a good guy go, especially when there is all that money to think about.
We all know that Delhomme had a rough season last year. I mean come on, there was interception after interception after interception. If he were to stick around for next season, there would be a tremendous amount of pressure. I don’t know if anyone deserves that. Oh wait, he’s getting paid millions of dollars to do his job. Yes, he deserves it.
Coach John Fox said: “He’s done some great things for this team. Two (NFC) championship games, a Super Bowl, all those comeback victories. I’m not sure I’ve had any more respect for an NFL football player than Jake Delhomme.”
Yet they are still letting him go.
Delhomme was, according to his teammates, a great team leader. Left tackle Jordon Gross said, “It’s tough. As a friend and a teammate he was always someone you could count on and did things the right way and was a leader and a family man. I’m glad to have him in my life and it’s hard when you learn that he’s not going to be around anymore.”
It almost makes me feel bad for the guy. Except of course for that $12.5 million left on his contract that he’s guaranteed.
Replacement Matt Moore took over for Delhomme in Week 13 last season and ended with a 4-1 record. Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb have been suggested additions to the roster for depth on the bench.
On the upside, this will stop me from drafting him as my backup quarterback in fantasy football every year where he blows my week by throwing 6 interceptions.
I’ve never had Delhomme on my fantasy team, therefore he is irrelevant. That probably didn’t sound nice, but my allegiance is with Team MayoPie first, Falcons second and whoever is playing the Eagles third.
(Great post!)