Jason Wood's Thoughts

Jake Delhomme delivered another solid season, his third as the Panthers starter. On the way to his first Pro Bowl, Delhomme completed 60.2% of his passes (a career best), averaged 7.9 yards per attempt (another career best) and threw 24 touchdown passes (4th in the NFL).

As a fantasy QB, Delhomme was good, not great, finishing a solid 12th. He was helped immensely by another healthy season (he’s yet to miss a game as a Panther).

In 2004, Delhomme finished 7th among fantasy QBs as the Panthers were forced to throw the ball thanks to an injury depleted defense and running game. But many assume Delhomme’s fantasy productivity would take a major hit last year as the Panthers recommitted to a ball-control rushing attack (and got their defense healthy). While the team did recommit to the ground game and reassert itself defensively, Delhomme still produced solid, albeit unspectacular fantasy stats. How did he do it? Efficiency…

Delhomme is the kind of QB who makes the most of his attempts. He only took 435 passing attempts last year, but managed a 12th place fantasy finish. These two stats paint the picture of Delhomme’s efficiency:

• He ranked 4th in touchdowns per attempt
• He led the league in big play passes (passes of 25 yards or more)

With Steve Smith establishing himself as the game’s most explosive pass catcher, Delhomme needs only stay healthy to put up solid fantasy numbers it would seem. But could things get better?

1) Keyshawn Johnson is now a Panther – Keyshawn isn’t in Steve Smith’s class, but he gives Delhomme a solid second target who will happily make plays in the short and intermediate area. Johnson’s presence will almost assuredly help Delhomme’s completion percentage; which in turn will extend drives and lead to better overall output

2) The offensive line got a boost – Center Jeff Mitchell has been replaced by the younger and more physical Justin Hartwig. The middle of the offensive line was a problem area at times last year, as Delhomme faced pressure up the middle. If Hartwig can stabilize the interior line, Delhomme should be less inclined to force passes

Positives

• The addition of Keyshawn Johnson gives Delhomme one of the better receiving tandems in the NFC, and Steve Smith is quite possibly the best at his position
• Delhomme has become highly efficient, able to produce solid fantasy numbers even when the Panthers are running the ball with abandon
• The offensive line, already a strength, should be even better with Justin Hartwig replacing an aging and increasingly ineffective Jeff Mitchell

Negatives

• The Panthers are committed to winning with a balanced, ball control offense and stifling defense, making it difficult to project much upside beyond Delhomme’s past output
• He tends to lock onto one receiver, witness Steve Smith in 2005 and Muhsin Muhammad the prior year
• He is interception prone, Delhomme ranked 30th in the league in INT% (behind the like of Joey Harrington, Kyle Orton, J.P. Losman, and Brook Bollinger!)

Final Thoughts

Jake Delhomme came to Carolina with little guarantee of a starting job. But three years into his career, he's become solid fantasy QB and an even better real-life NFL quarterback. The Panthers, on paper, have the look of title contenders this year as the team returns intact from a season ago plus the addition of savvy veteran WR Keyshawn Johnson. As long as your league doesn't heavily penalize for turnovers (Delhomme has thrown 15 or more INTs in each season), he would make a ver solid choice in the middle rounds as part of a QB tandem approach or your primary backup. I don't think many title contenders will rely on Delhomme each and every week, but he could be an excellent spot starter or injury fill in.

Quotations from the Message Board Thread

To view the entire Player Spotlight thread (there's a ton of fantastic commentary in there), click here.

BassNBrew:
You will see Jake's stats down this year merely as a function of attempts. I think he's peaked in his developement and the rushing attack will be improved. Smith effectively served as a RB because the Carolina ground attack was one of the worst in the league. As I recalled, they were 2nd to last in ypa going into the Chicago regualr season game. Foster and Williams will push that average up and eliminate the need to pass as much.

Sweet Love:
I love this guy, but I think this is the first year he will be overvalued (just by a tad). Although Carolina has added a receiving weapon, they also added a rushing weapon in D Williams in the draft this year. Unless he proves to be a true Carolina RB in the form of Biaka, S Davis, Shelton and Foster (i.e. injured all the time), they may be able to establish a consistent rushing threat from the beginning of the season to the end of it.

jurb26:
I hope that Delhomme learns to go through his reads a bit more rather than leaning completly on one target this year. It would make him a much better FF QB while at the same time making Car a much better team. I just don't see it happening though. I feel that the running game is going to be much improved from last year with Williams in the fold and this could reduce the passing numbers.

Jake Delhomme Projections

SOURCE	PYD	PTD	INT	RSHYD	RSHTD
Jason Wood	3500	25	15	40	0
Message Board Consensus	3616	26	15	47	1