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SPORTS

Fox sticking with Delhomme at QB

Tuesday, September 15, 2009
(Updated 9:29 am)

CHARLOTTE (AP) — Jake Delhomme is still Carolina's starter — even after 11 turnovers in two games.

Coach John Fox defended his beleaguered quarterback Monday, saying his status "hasn't changed" a day after he threw four interceptions and lost a fumble in the Panthers' 38-10 loss to Philadelphia.

Pressured all game and making poor throws and decisions, Delhomme nearly matched his six-turnover performance in Carolina's blowout playoff loss to Arizona in January. His turnovers Sunday led to 24 Eagles points, and Fox pulled Delhomme after he threw consecutive interceptions in the third quarter Sunday.

In Carolina's last 22 possessions against the Cardinals and Eagles, Delhomme has thrown nine interceptions and lost two fumbles.

"It's like Tiger Woods doesn't win every tournament. (Roger) Federer doesn't win every tournament," Fox said. "There's a lot of people out there that practice and get paid, too."

The Panthers also have few options behind Delhomme, who was booed unmercifully by the home fans Sunday.

Three months after his playoff debacle, the Panthers gave the 34-year-old Delhomme a new five-year, $42.5 million contract. It immediately freed up needed salary-cap space this year, but it also included $20 million in guaranteed money. The Panthers then didn't sign another QB and Delhomme had no serious competition in training camp.

Josh McCown beat out Matt Moore for the No. 2 job, but McCown sprained his left knee and foot early in the fourth quarter Sunday.

Monday, the Panthers came to terms with veteran quarterback A.J. Feeley and placed McCown on injured reserve. McCown was wearing a protective boot on Monday.

Feeley, who was released by Philadelphia this month, provides a veteran presence behind Delhomme. He is a nine-year veteran who was in his second stint in Philadelphia. He also has been with Miami and San Diego.

Fox said he hadn't talked individually with Delhomme on Monday. Players were at Bank of America Stadium to watch the film of an ugly beginning for the defending NFC South champions.

After leading Carolina to a touchdown drive on the first possession, Delhomme was overwhelmed by the Eagles' relentless blitzing. Fox pointed to the offensive line for giving him poor protection.

He even hinted they may not have been conservative enough. Calling draw plays on third down has been a common criticism of Fox in his eight years in Carolina.

"It's not just Jake. We just didn't execute very well in the passing game," Fox said. "A couple of those third-and-longs I wish we had run our patented draw instead of screens. Because that resulted in two touchdowns, one sack fumble and one interception."

Delhomme clearly faces one of the more difficult weeks of his career. After going from an unknown backup in New Orleans to leading Carolina to a Super Bowl appearance in 2003, Delhomme has had a love-hate relationship with fans. He's played in two NFC championship games, was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2005 and has led 12 game-winning drives in the final 2 minutes or overtime.

But Delhomme has had his share of clunkers, too — only nothing compares to the past two games.

"You go through stretches where maybe you're not seeing the field as well as you'd like," Delhomme said. "I think that happens during the course of a season. ... But these two, they were separated by a bunch of time. For whatever reason, those are the cards that have been dealt."

Accompanying Photos

Rick Havner (Associated Press)

Photo Caption: Carolina Panthers QB Jake Delhomme is sacked against the Philadelphia Eagles.

PANTHERS AT FALCONS

Who: Carolina (0-1) at Atlanta (1-0)

Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

TV/radio: WGHP-8/WZTK-101.1

MONDAY'S SCORES

New England 25, Buffalo 24: In his first game since blowing out his knee a year ago, Tom Brady threw two TD passes to TE Benjamin Watson in the final minutes to lead the Patriots to a comeback victory at home.

San Diego 24, Oakland 20: Darren Sproles scored the game-winning TD with 18 seconds left to give the Chargers their 12th straight victory over the Raiders in Oakland. Chargers QB Philip Rivers completed 6 of 7 passes for 79 yards on the final drive and ended the game 24 for 36 for 252 yards.

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