Panthers improbably want more Jake Delhomme

The last time we saw Jake Delhomme, he was spectacularly imploding to end Carolina's Super Bowl hopes. The Panthers, improbably, are looking for more of the same.

Carolina has entered some very tricky contract negotiations with Delhomme.  Their quarterback has a huge cap number ($11 million) that could be reduced with a long-term deal.  But do they really want to invest more years in Delhomme, who is 34 years old?

The Dolphins are in a similar situation with their aging starter, Chad Pennington, who is entering a contract year.  But they have made it clear they are happy to let Pennington play out his deal.  A contract will only going to happen if Pennington accepts the chance he'll become a backup in the future.

Carolina should adopt a similar wait and see approach.  Delhomme is a league average quarterback who is prone to big highs and lows.  It would be better to eat Delhomme's hefty cap number this year, rather then commit to him longer. 

The Panthers need to start planning for 2010 at quarterback, but handing Delhomme another contract is an odd reward for a historic playoff meltdown.