Panthers’ Delhomme rightly has high expectations

By Connor Byrne  |   Friday, June 16, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Carolina Panthers
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On Thursday, Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme stated that anything less than a Super Bowl victory would be disappointing for his team this season. Delhomme's statement is brash, but true. The Panthers are packed with some of the best talent in the NFL. They should be in the thick of things all season, as long as key members of the team manage to stay healthy.

Since their run to a Super Bowl appearance in the 2003 season, the Panthers have battled injuries to key players such as defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and Steve Smith.

Now that Smith has become, perhaps, the league's best receiver, and Jenkins appears to finally be healthy after two straight years of ACL injuries, Delhomme and the Panthers' title expectations seem just as realistic as any other team's.

This offseason, the Carolina Panthers upgraded their team by bringing in productive veteran receiver Keyshawn Johnson, center Justin Hartwig, defensive tackles Ma'ake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis, and safety Shaun Williams in free agency. Undoubtedly, those players should be major contributors in what is expected to be, at least, a playoff season in Charlotte.

Outside of free agency, the Panthers' key acquisitions came in April's draft, when they brought in running back DeAngelo Williams and cornerback Richard Marshall in the first two rounds, respectively.

Williams, an ex-University of Memphis star, was projected as one of the best offensive players in the entire draft, while Marshall, a former Fresno State standout, was among the more well-thought of defensive backs. Somehow, Marshall fell all the way to the second round, where the eager Panthers scooped him up.

When Carolina lost a 32-29 heartbreaker in Super Bowl XXXVIII to the New England Patriots, Delhomme was well-documented as calling it one of the worst feelings he's ever experienced. To go with that, the former Pro Bowler said that he wanted to be back on the grand stage immediately. Delhomme proved that day that the he could handle major pressure, throwing for 323 yards and three touchdowns in the losing effort.

If he and the Panthers can find their way back to the biggest spectacle in sports, the 30-year-old likely won't let it slip away this time. The bottom line is, look for Carolina to be one of the main contenders for the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2006-2007. And look for Delhomme to be at the forefront.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com

Get more on Jake Delhomme at Realfootball365.com
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