Panthers release Jake Delhomme
One off-season removed from signing him to a long-term deal, the Carolina Panthers released quarterback Jake Delhomme, per the Charlotte Observer.
Considering his six-turnover implosion in the Panthers' only playoff game two seasons ago, it was a bit of a surprise that the Panthers signed Delhomme to such an expensive extension. And now that they released him, it is a bit of surprise as well, but the move prevents a salary-cap hit in a year that is uncapped.
That said, the Panthers will still owe Delhomme an amount shy of $13 million.
But with Delhomme no longer in Carolina, the job now belongs to Matt Moore, who had received a first- and third-round tender from the Panthers.
"My wife and I are ecstatic right now," Moore said (via FoxSports.com). "I was surprised. I didn't know exactly what to expect, to be perfectly honest with you. When my agent called and told me about (the tender) I was really excited and really happy. I think it shows they have a lot of confidence in me, which is reassuring."
In seven games played, Moore completed 61.6 percent of his passes for 1,053 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions.
In the month of December (with Moore starting all four games), Panthers receiver Steve Smith averaged a season-high 94.5 yards per game. In the first three months (without Moore as the starter), Smith averaged 63.3, 56.0 and 49.2 yards per game, respectively.
One of the reasons I selected Smith in the fourth round of our early 2010 fantasy football mock draft was the potential for Moore to win the starting quarterback job and Smith to be the beneficiary.
