WhoDat

OK, it's WAY too quiet on here... time to stir up .

Last night Jake Delhomme went 18/29 (62%) for 273 yards and 1 TD in the playoffs against the league's best pass defense. He also led his team to victory. No surprise really, he did that 12 times this year and has SEVEN fourth quarter comebacks to his credit. At some point in the game they ran a piece on him where his coach, John Fox, said that he has "it". Fox said he couldn't really describe what "it" was, but it made Delhomme a great leader, the kind of guy his teammates want to be around and believe in.

I understand why. In his first year as a starter in this league, in 15.5 games, Delhomme went:
266/449 (59.2%) for 3,219 yards (7.17 yards per attempt), 19 TDs, 16 INTs with a QB rating of 80.6.

Brooks, in his first year as the starter after having a full year in the system and even starting 5 games the year before went:
312/558 (55.9%) for 3,832 yards (6.87 yardsper attempt), 26 TDs, 22 INTs with a QB rating of 76.4.

So in essence, Brooks was less efficient. Don't think that matters? Brooks' team was 7-9 and hasn't gotten much better since. Delhomme's team went 11-5 and won its first playoff game in 7 years last night. Also, unlike Brooks, Delhomme seems to be PROGRESSING. He's gotten better as the season progressed. You hear his teammates, coaches, and people around the league no longer talking about him as a guy who doesn't lose the game, but one who rallies the troops and wins in the 4th quarter.

Even this year, as Brooks completed his third full year as a starter, and in his best year all around as a QB, he still only completed 59.1% of his passes for 6.85 yards per attempt - numbers lower than Delhomme's first year totals. Of course, his QB rating is 88.8 on account of his 24 TDs and only 8 INTs. We all know that the efficiency rating does not take into account the league leading 11 fumbles lost. If so that 24 to 19 number probably drops his QB rating down to about 81.

And keep in mind, Brooks' offense is more explosive. YES!!! The Saints receivers did underachieve THIS YEAR. However, they certainly did not in '02 or '01. Further, the Saints offensive philosophy is geared at making big plays and winning the game for the defense. The Panthers' game plan on offense is far more conservative, run-oriented, and geared at helping the defense win the game. Still, in a QB friendly offense, Brooks cannot do what Delhomme can do.


So, tell me again why we let Delhomme go and kept AB? I can't wait to hear Billy's perspective on all this. Bottom line Billy - chalk up one more boneheaded move for Haslett and Co., b/c we kept the wrong QB.

[Edited on 4/1/2004 by WhoDat]

[Edited on 4/1/2004 by JOESAM2002]