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Bench Warmer
John Fox is beginning to waver about quarterback Jake Delhomme.
But after another abysmal performance Sunday left Carolina 2-4 and Delhomme with an NFL-high 13 interceptions, Fox acknowledged he's contemplating benching Delhomme in favor of either Matt Moore or A.J. Feeley.
The Carolina Panthers coach strongly supported Delhomme after he committed six turnovers in January's playoff loss. He stayed behind his quarterback after an ugly start to this season.
And now?
"I still believe Jake is our best quarterback. I have no reason to believe otherwise, truth be told," Fox said Monday. "But collectively we'll do whatever it takes for us to improve. What that is I can't honestly tell you at this second."
A day earlier, Delhomme threw three interceptions, two which were badly overthrown and directly led to 14 Buffalo points in the Bills' 20-9 win. The 34-year-old Delhomme, who received a lucrative contract extension in the offseason, can't seem to snap out of the worst stretch of his career.
After throwing five interceptions and losing a fumble against Arizona in the playoffs, Delhomme is no better in 2009. Counting two lost fumbles, Delhomme has committed 15 turnovers and thrown only four touchdowns. His passer rating of 56.5 ranks 32nd in the league and Carolina's minus-14 turnover margin is by far the worst in the NFL.
Sunday's loss ended Carolina's two-game winning streak and left Delhomme seemingly stunned. He said he was "almost numb" and added it was a "crushing" loss after Carolina outgained Buffalo 425-167.
While Fox said he sees no difference in Delhomme's arm strength or delivery, he hinted Delhomme's psyche will play into his decision who starts in Sunday's playoff rematch with the Cardinals.
"We'll do whatever it takes for us to start developing some confidence in that phase of the game," Fox said.
Trouble is, the Panthers have few good options behind Delhomme, who has been Carolina's starter since Week 2 in 2003, when the career backup led the Panthers to a surprising trip to the Super Bowl.
Moore started three games as an undrafted rookie in 2007 when Delhomme was recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery. Moore's only appearance since was when he completed 6 of 11 passes for 63 yards and an interception after Delhomme was benched late in the season opener against Philadelphia.
The Panthers signed the journeyman Feeley on Sept. 15 after Josh McCown was placed on injured reserve with knee and ankle injuries. Feeley has since been scrambling to learn the offense.
"He's a young quarterback. He got some playing time, albeit not a lot lately. But he's been in the offense, he understands the offense," Fox said of Moore. "The other guy, A.J. Feeley, has not been in the offense that long, albeit he's been in the National Football League a little bit longer. So time will tell."
Delhomme still has the support of several teammates. Many came to his defense Sunday, including left tackle Jordan Gross, who is opposed to a QB change.
"I've got faith in our backups, but that seems like a break-glass, pull-handle type of thing to do that," Gross said.
Fox, though, thinks a change might be needed, and brushed off questions about keeping Delhomme twisting before a decision is made.
"I think we need to do what's going to help us win," Fox said. "If that's Jake, I think he'll understand that. If it's not Jake, I think he'll understand that, too. Right now we're not executing as well in the passing game. I can't say it's all the quarterback. But we have to get that better."
But after another abysmal performance Sunday left Carolina 2-4 and Delhomme with an NFL-high 13 interceptions, Fox acknowledged he's contemplating benching Delhomme in favor of either Matt Moore or A.J. Feeley.
The Carolina Panthers coach strongly supported Delhomme after he committed six turnovers in January's playoff loss. He stayed behind his quarterback after an ugly start to this season.
And now?
"I still believe Jake is our best quarterback. I have no reason to believe otherwise, truth be told," Fox said Monday. "But collectively we'll do whatever it takes for us to improve. What that is I can't honestly tell you at this second."
A day earlier, Delhomme threw three interceptions, two which were badly overthrown and directly led to 14 Buffalo points in the Bills' 20-9 win. The 34-year-old Delhomme, who received a lucrative contract extension in the offseason, can't seem to snap out of the worst stretch of his career.
After throwing five interceptions and losing a fumble against Arizona in the playoffs, Delhomme is no better in 2009. Counting two lost fumbles, Delhomme has committed 15 turnovers and thrown only four touchdowns. His passer rating of 56.5 ranks 32nd in the league and Carolina's minus-14 turnover margin is by far the worst in the NFL.
Sunday's loss ended Carolina's two-game winning streak and left Delhomme seemingly stunned. He said he was "almost numb" and added it was a "crushing" loss after Carolina outgained Buffalo 425-167.
While Fox said he sees no difference in Delhomme's arm strength or delivery, he hinted Delhomme's psyche will play into his decision who starts in Sunday's playoff rematch with the Cardinals.
"We'll do whatever it takes for us to start developing some confidence in that phase of the game," Fox said.
Trouble is, the Panthers have few good options behind Delhomme, who has been Carolina's starter since Week 2 in 2003, when the career backup led the Panthers to a surprising trip to the Super Bowl.
Moore started three games as an undrafted rookie in 2007 when Delhomme was recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery. Moore's only appearance since was when he completed 6 of 11 passes for 63 yards and an interception after Delhomme was benched late in the season opener against Philadelphia.
The Panthers signed the journeyman Feeley on Sept. 15 after Josh McCown was placed on injured reserve with knee and ankle injuries. Feeley has since been scrambling to learn the offense.
"He's a young quarterback. He got some playing time, albeit not a lot lately. But he's been in the offense, he understands the offense," Fox said of Moore. "The other guy, A.J. Feeley, has not been in the offense that long, albeit he's been in the National Football League a little bit longer. So time will tell."
Delhomme still has the support of several teammates. Many came to his defense Sunday, including left tackle Jordan Gross, who is opposed to a QB change.
"I've got faith in our backups, but that seems like a break-glass, pull-handle type of thing to do that," Gross said.
Fox, though, thinks a change might be needed, and brushed off questions about keeping Delhomme twisting before a decision is made.
"I think we need to do what's going to help us win," Fox said. "If that's Jake, I think he'll understand that. If it's not Jake, I think he'll understand that, too. Right now we're not executing as well in the passing game. I can't say it's all the quarterback. But we have to get that better."
