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Charlotte Observer | 08/18/2007 | 'Preseason or not, we played awful,' Jake says

PHILADELPHIA --
Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme dressed quickly, as if simply wanting to escape Lincoln Financial Field as fast as possible. It was understandable; the Panthers had just been beaten by Philadelphia 27-10.

"We didn't play well, I think to put it mildly and to put it kindly," he said. "We didn't start off fast and we didn't finish. It's very disappointing."

Delhomme struggled, but so did just about everyone else in Panthers' colors. Carolina's offense couldn't run the ball and couldn't block for its quarterback, and the Panthers' defense couldn't get off the field.

"We've still got a lot more work to do," Delhomme said. "It's not a good feeling. Preseason or not, we played awful. So we've got to get back to work. We've got a tough test next week against New England. We've got to go back to camp and get better." While wound up completing nine of 18 passes for 78 yards, he was also sacked three times and threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. His passer rating was 37.8.

Someone asked if the Panthers were tired, since coach John Fox had earlier said his team looked as if it were "playing in quicksand." Delhomme forced a smile.

"You know what, in camp you're supposed to be tired. So let me just leave it at that. Let's find some more excuses.

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