Delhomme, Smith expect big things of each other
Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith seem, at times, to know what each other is thinking. Into their third season together, they have established themselves as one of the most formidable quarterback-receiver duos in NFL postseason history.
But, both acknowledge, they don't always see eye-to-eye.
"We argue at times," Smith said Wednesday. "It's almost like two women. I won't talk to him for a couple of hours. Then he'll say, `What's the matter?' I'll say, `Nothing.'
There was a playful twinkle in Smith's eyes as he told the story, which Delhomme didn't dispute.
"We argue about a lot of things," Delhomme said. "It's quick stuff. Nothing ever lingers. That's part of the relationship.
"We expect good things out of each other. I expect great things out of him." -- Ron Green Jr.
Delhomme rises to postseason occasion
Delhomme is carving himself a place among the most productive quarterbacks in postseason.
Two former quarterbacks -- Dallas' Troy Aikman and Washington's Joe Theismann -- produced better ratings numbers in their first six postseason games.
Delhomme has a passer rating of 108.4, the highest through six games since Aikman's 115.7 rating in 1994.
In six postseason games, Delhomme has thrown 10 touchdown passes and two interceptions. In three of the games, he and the offense have not committed a turnover.
"Twice I've been on a team that's started to play its best football this time of year," Delhomme said. "I try to be me. Not anybody else. I try to do what I can do.
"I have an idea of what got us here, so why change?"
Delhomme is one of three quarterbacks to lead four road victories in the postseason -- Kansas City's Len Dawson and Dallas' Roger Staubach are the others -- and the only one to win four consecutive on the road. -- R.G.
Weather or not
With all the attention given to the unrelenting rain in Seattle the past four weeks, the Panthers aren't concerned about whether it rains Sunday.The long-range forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-40s.
"Hopefully, it will be sunny and beautiful, but I can't worry about that," Delhomme said. "They've got (Grant) Wistrom on one side and (Bryce) Fisher on the other. I can't worry about the weather." -- R.G.
Alexander could be a free-agent tease
Maybe it was a slip or maybe Shaun Alexander was sending a message. Whatever, the Seattle running back and NFL's most valuable player said he wouldn't mind playing for the Panthers. Alexander can become a free agent after the season.
When asked if he was sad when cornerback Ken Lucas left the Seahawks for the Panthers in March, Alexander made a statement that might be music to the ears of wishful-thinking Carolina fans.
"I definitely was," he said in a conference call with reporters in Charlotte. "But at the same time, who knows if I am going to be here or not? I told him you never know, I might be out there with you. Whenever you lose a teammate, it's rough. When you lose a friend, it's worse."
The Panthers could be in the market for a running back next season. But Alexander is likely to command huge money and the Panthers already have nearly $97 million committed toward a salary cap that's likely to be about $92 million. -- Pat Yasinskas
Injury update
Defensive end Julius Peppers was one of seven Panthers who missed practice Wednesday, as Carolina attempted to recover from a hard-hitting game in Chicago.Peppers, who hurt his shoulder late in the third quarter and didn't return, is listed as questionable for Sunday's game.
Also missing practice were fullback Brad Hoover (ankle), center Jeff Mitchell (knee), defensive tackle Kindal Moorehead (ankle), guard Tutan Reyes (toe), defensive tackle Jordan Carstens (illness) and safety Mike Minter (wrist). All were listed as questionable except Carstens and Minter, who are probable. -- Stan Olson
30 the magic number
Think the ground game isn't important to Carolina's success? The Panthers have topped 30 carries in their running game 11 times this season, counting the playoffs. They've won every one of those games. When they don't reach that figure, they are 2-5. "It is really a key to our offense," said guard Mike Wahle. "It opens up a lot of other things, especially with Steve (Smith)." -- S.O.
On the Seahawks
Holmgren says Locklear will play
Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday that offensive lineman Sean Locklear, arrested this week on domestic violence charges, will play Sunday."There is some misinformation floating around, and something as serious as this issue, it's important to let the facts come out and what will be done, will be done," said Holmgren.
Locklear, who played at N.C. State, has a hearing in February. He was arrested early Sunday morning for allegedly grabbing his girlfriend by the neck. He was released without bail Tuesday.
"I want to apologize to the community and everybody," said Locklear, who is from Lumberton. "I'm not proud of what I've done. It's not characteristic of (me)." -- David Scott
Notes
• Peter Warrick will replace Jimmy Williams as the Seahawks' punt returner against the Panthers. Williams struggled in the divisional playoff game last week against the Washington Redskins.
• Holmgren said tailback Alexander, who missed much of the Redskins game with a concussion, would practice normally this week and be ready for the Panthers. Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (foot), and wide receivers Bobby Engram (back) and Darrell Jackson (knee) didn't practice and are questionable for Sunday. -- D.S.
Scott Says Scott Fowler
• The Sports Illustrated cover jinx has lost a bit of its power, which should be good news to Panthers fans getting their issues with No. 89 (Steve Smith) this week. Jerome Bettis, last week's subject, had a terrible fumble Sunday, but Pittsburgh won anyway.
• Not to be overlooked at Chicago -- that was one of the jewels in offensive coordinator Dan Henning's crown. I've never seen Henning call a better game.
GAME TIME: 6:30 p.m. Sunday. TV: Fox, WCCB (Ch. 18)
WEATHER FOR SUNDAY: High 45, low 36, partly cloudy, 20 percent chance of rain.
FOOTBALL
NFL
Injury Report
PITTSBURGH (13-5) AT DENVER (14-3) -- Steelers: D: LB James Harrison (ankle). P: LB James Farrior (calf); LB Larry Foote (knee); CB Chidi Iwuoma (shoulder); DE Travis Kirschke (groin); LB Joey Porter (hip); QB Ben Roethlisberger (right thumb); CB Deshea Townsend (knee); DE Kimo Von Oelhoffen (knee). Broncos: P: TE Stephen Alexander (toe); DE Courtney Brown (shoulder/knee); LB Keith Burns (knee); WR Todd Devoe (wrist); CB Darrent Williams (groin); LB Al Wilson (thumb).
CAROLINA (13-5) AT SEATTLE (14-3) -- Panthers: O: RB DeShaun Foster (ankle/IR). Q: RB Brad Hoover (ankle); C Jeff Mitchell (knee); DT Kindal Moorehead (ankle); DE Julius Peppers (shoulder); G Tutan Reyes (toe). P: DT Jordan Carstens (illness); S Mike Minter (wrist). Seahawks: Q: DT Rocky Bernard (foot); WR Bobby Engram (lower back); WR Darrell Jackson (knee). P: RB Shaun Alexander (concussion).
But, both acknowledge, they don't always see eye-to-eye.
"We argue at times," Smith said Wednesday. "It's almost like two women. I won't talk to him for a couple of hours. Then he'll say, `What's the matter?' I'll say, `Nothing.'
There was a playful twinkle in Smith's eyes as he told the story, which Delhomme didn't dispute.
"We argue about a lot of things," Delhomme said. "It's quick stuff. Nothing ever lingers. That's part of the relationship.
"We expect good things out of each other. I expect great things out of him." -- Ron Green Jr.
Delhomme rises to postseason occasion
Delhomme is carving himself a place among the most productive quarterbacks in postseason.
Two former quarterbacks -- Dallas' Troy Aikman and Washington's Joe Theismann -- produced better ratings numbers in their first six postseason games.
Delhomme has a passer rating of 108.4, the highest through six games since Aikman's 115.7 rating in 1994.
In six postseason games, Delhomme has thrown 10 touchdown passes and two interceptions. In three of the games, he and the offense have not committed a turnover.
"Twice I've been on a team that's started to play its best football this time of year," Delhomme said. "I try to be me. Not anybody else. I try to do what I can do.
"I have an idea of what got us here, so why change?"
Delhomme is one of three quarterbacks to lead four road victories in the postseason -- Kansas City's Len Dawson and Dallas' Roger Staubach are the others -- and the only one to win four consecutive on the road. -- R.G.
Weather or not
With all the attention given to the unrelenting rain in Seattle the past four weeks, the Panthers aren't concerned about whether it rains Sunday.The long-range forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-40s.
"Hopefully, it will be sunny and beautiful, but I can't worry about that," Delhomme said. "They've got (Grant) Wistrom on one side and (Bryce) Fisher on the other. I can't worry about the weather." -- R.G.
Alexander could be a free-agent tease
Maybe it was a slip or maybe Shaun Alexander was sending a message. Whatever, the Seattle running back and NFL's most valuable player said he wouldn't mind playing for the Panthers. Alexander can become a free agent after the season.
When asked if he was sad when cornerback Ken Lucas left the Seahawks for the Panthers in March, Alexander made a statement that might be music to the ears of wishful-thinking Carolina fans.
"I definitely was," he said in a conference call with reporters in Charlotte. "But at the same time, who knows if I am going to be here or not? I told him you never know, I might be out there with you. Whenever you lose a teammate, it's rough. When you lose a friend, it's worse."
The Panthers could be in the market for a running back next season. But Alexander is likely to command huge money and the Panthers already have nearly $97 million committed toward a salary cap that's likely to be about $92 million. -- Pat Yasinskas
Injury update
Defensive end Julius Peppers was one of seven Panthers who missed practice Wednesday, as Carolina attempted to recover from a hard-hitting game in Chicago.Peppers, who hurt his shoulder late in the third quarter and didn't return, is listed as questionable for Sunday's game.
Also missing practice were fullback Brad Hoover (ankle), center Jeff Mitchell (knee), defensive tackle Kindal Moorehead (ankle), guard Tutan Reyes (toe), defensive tackle Jordan Carstens (illness) and safety Mike Minter (wrist). All were listed as questionable except Carstens and Minter, who are probable. -- Stan Olson
30 the magic number
Think the ground game isn't important to Carolina's success? The Panthers have topped 30 carries in their running game 11 times this season, counting the playoffs. They've won every one of those games. When they don't reach that figure, they are 2-5. "It is really a key to our offense," said guard Mike Wahle. "It opens up a lot of other things, especially with Steve (Smith)." -- S.O.
On the Seahawks
Holmgren says Locklear will play
Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday that offensive lineman Sean Locklear, arrested this week on domestic violence charges, will play Sunday."There is some misinformation floating around, and something as serious as this issue, it's important to let the facts come out and what will be done, will be done," said Holmgren.
Locklear, who played at N.C. State, has a hearing in February. He was arrested early Sunday morning for allegedly grabbing his girlfriend by the neck. He was released without bail Tuesday.
"I want to apologize to the community and everybody," said Locklear, who is from Lumberton. "I'm not proud of what I've done. It's not characteristic of (me)." -- David Scott
Notes
• Peter Warrick will replace Jimmy Williams as the Seahawks' punt returner against the Panthers. Williams struggled in the divisional playoff game last week against the Washington Redskins.
• Holmgren said tailback Alexander, who missed much of the Redskins game with a concussion, would practice normally this week and be ready for the Panthers. Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (foot), and wide receivers Bobby Engram (back) and Darrell Jackson (knee) didn't practice and are questionable for Sunday. -- D.S.
Scott Says Scott Fowler
• The Sports Illustrated cover jinx has lost a bit of its power, which should be good news to Panthers fans getting their issues with No. 89 (Steve Smith) this week. Jerome Bettis, last week's subject, had a terrible fumble Sunday, but Pittsburgh won anyway.
• Not to be overlooked at Chicago -- that was one of the jewels in offensive coordinator Dan Henning's crown. I've never seen Henning call a better game.
GAME TIME: 6:30 p.m. Sunday. TV: Fox, WCCB (Ch. 18)
WEATHER FOR SUNDAY: High 45, low 36, partly cloudy, 20 percent chance of rain.
FOOTBALL
NFL
Injury Report
PITTSBURGH (13-5) AT DENVER (14-3) -- Steelers: D: LB James Harrison (ankle). P: LB James Farrior (calf); LB Larry Foote (knee); CB Chidi Iwuoma (shoulder); DE Travis Kirschke (groin); LB Joey Porter (hip); QB Ben Roethlisberger (right thumb); CB Deshea Townsend (knee); DE Kimo Von Oelhoffen (knee). Broncos: P: TE Stephen Alexander (toe); DE Courtney Brown (shoulder/knee); LB Keith Burns (knee); WR Todd Devoe (wrist); CB Darrent Williams (groin); LB Al Wilson (thumb).
CAROLINA (13-5) AT SEATTLE (14-3) -- Panthers: O: RB DeShaun Foster (ankle/IR). Q: RB Brad Hoover (ankle); C Jeff Mitchell (knee); DT Kindal Moorehead (ankle); DE Julius Peppers (shoulder); G Tutan Reyes (toe). P: DT Jordan Carstens (illness); S Mike Minter (wrist). Seahawks: Q: DT Rocky Bernard (foot); WR Bobby Engram (lower back); WR Darrell Jackson (knee). P: RB Shaun Alexander (concussion).
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