Delhomme's Legs Come In Handy
Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune, published 25 September 2006

Maybe that's why Jake Delhomme is 4-0 at Raymond James Stadium. Carolina's crafty quarterback threw for 272 yards and a touchdown against the Bucs Sunday, but his legs were responsible for the game's biggest play as the Panthers blew an early 17-0 lead before rallying for a 26-24 triumph.

Facing fourth-and-7 from the Tampa Bay 42 in the final minute, Delhomme ran for 12 yards up the middle, setting up John Kasay's game-winning 46-yard field goal. As Delhomme dropped back to pass, the game - and perhaps Carolina's season - hung in the balance.

"Give him credit, Jake undressed us a little bit," said Pro Bowl cornerback Ronde Barber, credited with the tackle on that fateful play. "He had a premium look to run on that play and he took full advantage."

Delhomme entered the game without a rushing attempt through Week 2 and he ran for only 31 yards in the entire 2005 season, but his critical scramble helped the Panthers avoid a 0-3 start. "I think he made a real instinctive play," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "He saw that the middle of the field was vulnerable and he made a play that you would expect an NFL veteran quarterback of his caliber to make at times like that. You don't expect that from him, but it was the play of the game, certainly."

Because Delhomme wasted so little time taking off, Bucs defensive end Greg Spires thought it was a designed play. "By the time I hit my guy, he [Delhomme] was already by me," Spires said.

With the Bucs playing man-to-man coverage downfield against Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson, Delhomme said he simply saw an opening and took it as several Tampa Bay defenders had their backs turned.

"I was either going to Keyshawn or Steve, and I wanted to see what the two inside tackles were going to do," Delhomme said. "As soon as they went up, I saw a lane and I just took off. I just closed my eyes and dove … hopefully I got far enough."

A week after facing the unmatched quickness of Atlanta's Michael Vick off the edge, the Bucs defense was victimized by a stiff-legged quarterback running up the gut. Delhomme posted a quarterback rating of 93.8 Sunday as Carolina beat the Bucs for the sixth time in the last seven meetings. "I think Delhomme planned to run all the way," Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said, "and we had some lack of communication on that play."