But make no mistake: The playoffs are Delhomme's time.

Two key measures -- postseason quarterback rating and win-loss record -- suggest the Panthers might be in better hands at that key position than any of the NFL's 11 other playoff teams this season.

As the Panthers prepare for their first postseason game in three seasons -- against a yet-to-be determined opponent at Bank of America Stadium on Jan.10 -- history indicates Delhomme will do his part as Carolina attempts to reach the Super Bowl on Feb.1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

Delhomme has a passer rating of 95.0 in seven playoff games, five of which the Panthers won. Of the other quarterbacks in this season's playoffs, only Arizona's Kurt Warner (92.3) approaches Delhomme's postseason excellence as a passer.

Warner, however, took the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl title in 1999. Three other 2008 playoff quarterbacks -- Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger -- join Warner in that elite group of former Super Bowl winners.

None has been as efficient in the playoffs as Delhomme, and only Warner and Roethlisberger (both 5-2) can match Delhomme's postseason record.

Despite those postseason numbers, Delhomme is often criticized by some Panthers fans and media members as not having gaudy enough statistics to function as an upper-tier quarterback. Or that he has a strong enough arm, runs fast enough or is tall enough.

An example of that? On ESPN.com Wednesday, Scouts Inc. -- an organization that "watches games, breaks down film and studies Football from all angles" -- ranked Delhomme 11th among this season's 12 playoff quarterbacks, ahead of only Minnesota's Tarvaris Jackson. And Jackson has never played in a playoff game.

Delhomme let loose with a "who-cares?" laugh when he was told about the ranking.

"Jake's not a flashy guy," said Panthers offensive tackle Jordan Gross. "He doesn't scramble to make big plays or beat you with his legs. He's not somebody that you're always going to have a camera on. But he's tough and he leads our offense well."

That's really all coach John Fox wants from his quarterback. When Delhomme, then a free agent who had been a career backup with New Orleans, sat down for breakfast with Fox and general manager Marty Hurney for a job interview one morning in March 2003, he received a clear message.

"(Fox) said, 'This is how you win in the NFL. You run the Football. You stop the run. You play solid special teams. I don't believe in stats. It's all about winning in this league.'"

Delhomme bought into that philosophy.

"He's right," said Delhomme, who has a career record of 50-31 as a starter. "It's about winning."

The Panthers found out about life without Delhomme in 2007.

Off to the best start of his career, Delhomme blew out his right (throwing) elbow against Atlanta in the third game of the season. He had reconstructive surgery and missed the rest of the season.

The Panthers struggled the rest of the way, finishing 7-9 and missing the playoffs.

With the elbow completely healed, Delhomme has been his old self this season.

The statistics aren't overwhelming -- he was in the middle of the statistical pack among NFL passers with a rating of 84.7 -- but he has the Panthers back in the playoffs for a third time in the five seasons he's been the team's primary starter. He's managed the offense efficiently.

"We've all seen the difference in last year and this year," said Gross. "Our whole team revolves around him."

Much of Delhomme's success comes when the game is on the line. He has a passer rating of 97.8 in the fourth quarter this season, the fifth-best mark in the NFL. And he still has a knack for taking the Panthers down the field as the clock winds down.

"We started this season with a two-minute drive that resulted in a win over San Diego, and Jake threw the winning touchdown," said receiver Muhsin Muhammad.

"We ended the season with a winning drive (against New Orleans) where we kicked a field goal, and Jake orchestrated that same drive.

"If you want to look at the bottom-line statistics as far as being a leader and things that are intangible, I think Jake does a great job."

Now Delhomme is back in an atmosphere where he thrives: the playoffs.

He has not won an NFL championship like the Manning brothers, Warner or Roethlisberger.

But he did throw for 323 yards and three touchdowns in the Panthers' 32-29 loss against New England in the Super Bowl after the 2003 season.

"I don't know, I've been on a good team," Delhomme said when asked about his playoff successes. "I'm not trying to be anybody else."

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