ROY LANG: Did the Saints blow it?

Danno · 01-27-2004, 07:54 AM

Did the Saints blow it?
Yes, the Saints messed up this decision, too
Roy Lang / The Times
Posted on January 27, 2004

AP

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Delhomme will start in the Super Bowl for surprising Carolina on Sunday.

Can't you just imagine it? A kid from Breaux Bridge, who graduated from the school formerly known as USL, leading the New Orleans Saints to the Super Bowl. Not too many things in this state can rival the frenzy of LSU's national championship - this would have been one of them.

But the Saints let quarterback Jake Delhomme go and it's the fans deep in the heart of NASCAR country that are in love with the former Cajun. So while Delhomme and his Carolina Panthers prepare for Sunday's Super Bowl with New England, the fans of the fleur de lis can only wonder what might have been.

Don't get me wrong, Delhomme is not Dan Marino or John Elway. At least not yet. But he is not Aaron Brooks either. Brooks and his six-year, $36 million contract have been playing golf for a month. Delhomme is in a two-year, $4 million deal.

Think the Saints wish they had that extra room under the cap to shore up the defense?

Former General Manager Randy Mueller had the right idea with Brooks. Mueller wanted to let Brooks' play determine his contract. Well, instead the Saints gave Mueller the ax and let Brooks run the show. The quarterback who at the time had played one full season and went 7-9.

Brooks held out prior to the 2002 season and the Saints caved to his demands of his lucrative deal.

Two more playoff-less seasons and 16 fumbles (11 in '03) later, Mueller doesn't look so dumb.

Obviously, the commitment to Brooks left Delhomme searching for a place to play. A devastating loss to the Panthers in the last game of the 2002 season kept the Saints out of the playoffs and gave Delhomme a big clue as to where he wanted to go.

"One of the main reasons why I came to Carolina was because of what they did to us in New Orleans, coming to beat us in our own stadium," Delhomme said. "They had nothing to play for and we had everything to play for. I have a strong belief in this team. A lot of high-character guys, along with some decent talent. Things have worked out well for us."

I guess so.

Trent Dilfer, Tom Brady, Brad Johnson - these are your last three Super Bowl winning quarterbacks. Not a superstar in the bunch. Delhomme fits right into that mold. A useful, dropback passer who can be relied on to protect the football and let a solid running game and a dominating defense lead the way.

Delhomme's numbers aren't flashy - 19 TDs and 16 INTs. But consistency in this league can be just as helpful as gaudy statistics.

"As long as my teammates like me and believe in me and my coaches are happy with the way I play that's all I care about," Delhomme said. "I am just - I am having the time of my life right now. I am. I haven't changed this week what I have done the previous 18 weeks, so I am just - I am enjoying this. This is a lot of fun."

Delhomme isn't an "it's-all-about-me" guy. It's more important to him to have his teammates on his side and to win.

I can't begin to imagine the fun the Saints marketing department would be having right now. Look how much Archie Manning is adored by Saints fans - and he never won a darn thing.

The Saints could have done worse than to have Delhomme, a solid, reliable (and much cheaper) quarterback taking the snaps. They could then truly rely on running back Deuce McAllister and have money to burn on the other side of the ball.

Instead, Mickey Loomis and coach Jim Haslett took a page from their top-dollar quarterback and dropped the ball on this one.

01-27-2004, 07:54 AM	#1
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,654	ROY LANG: Did the Saints blow it? Did the Saints blow it? Yes, the Saints messed up this decision, too Roy Lang / The Times Posted on January 27, 2004 AP Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Delhomme will start in the Super Bowl for surprising Carolina on Sunday. Can't you just imagine it? A kid from Breaux Bridge, who graduated from the school formerly known as USL, leading the New Orleans Saints to the Super Bowl. Not too many things in this state can rival the frenzy of LSU's national championship - this would have been one of them. But the Saints let quarterback Jake Delhomme go and it's the fans deep in the heart of NASCAR country that are in love with the former Cajun. So while Delhomme and his Carolina Panthers prepare for Sunday's Super Bowl with New England, the fans of the fleur de lis can only wonder what might have been. Don't get me wrong, Delhomme is not Dan Marino or John Elway. At least not yet. But he is not Aaron Brooks either. Brooks and his six-year, $36 million contract have been playing golf for a month. Delhomme is in a two-year, $4 million deal. Think the Saints wish they had that extra room under the cap to shore up the defense? Former General Manager Randy Mueller had the right idea with Brooks. Mueller wanted to let Brooks' play determine his contract. Well, instead the Saints gave Mueller the ax and let Brooks run the show. The quarterback who at the time had played one full season and went 7-9. Brooks held out prior to the 2002 season and the Saints caved to his demands of his lucrative deal. Two more playoff-less seasons and 16 fumbles (11 in '03) later, Mueller doesn't look so dumb. Obviously, the commitment to Brooks left Delhomme searching for a place to play. A devastating loss to the Panthers in the last game of the 2002 season kept the Saints out of the playoffs and gave Delhomme a big clue as to where he wanted to go. "One of the main reasons why I came to Carolina was because of what they did to us in New Orleans, coming to beat us in our own stadium," Delhomme said. "They had nothing to play for and we had everything to play for. I have a strong belief in this team. A lot of high-character guys, along with some decent talent. Things have worked out well for us." I guess so. Trent Dilfer, Tom Brady, Brad Johnson - these are your last three Super Bowl winning quarterbacks. Not a superstar in the bunch. Delhomme fits right into that mold. A useful, dropback passer who can be relied on to protect the football and let a solid running game and a dominating defense lead the way. Delhomme's numbers aren't flashy - 19 TDs and 16 INTs. But consistency in this league can be just as helpful as gaudy statistics. "As long as my teammates like me and believe in me and my coaches are happy with the way I play that's all I care about," Delhomme said. "I am just - I am having the time of my life right now. I am. I haven't changed this week what I have done the previous 18 weeks, so I am just - I am enjoying this. This is a lot of fun." Delhomme isn't an "it's-all-about-me" guy. It's more important to him to have his teammates on his side and to win. I can't begin to imagine the fun the Saints marketing department would be having right now. Look how much Archie Manning is adored by Saints fans - and he never won a darn thing. The Saints could have done worse than to have Delhomme, a solid, reliable (and much cheaper) quarterback taking the snaps. They could then truly rely on running back Deuce McAllister and have money to burn on the other side of the ball. Instead, Mickey Loomis and coach Jim Haslett took a page from their top-dollar quarterback and dropped the ball on this one.