Quarterback 
Though the Buccaneers had their struggles in 2009, Delhomme expects a physical game on Sunday afternoon in Raymond James Stadium, something he always prepared for as a member of the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints.
“There’s a lot of pride on that team, a lot of pride on that defense,” said Delhomme. “Ronde Barber, it’s kind of like with Derrick Brooks, as long as those guys were around, the team is going to play hard, going to play physical and going to play fast. I think (Coach) Raheem (Morris) is doing that with the football team; you just see the way they fly around. As long as Ronde’s there and Barrett Ruud’s been there for a long time also, it’s something that they learned and they’re playing fast.”
In his career, Delhomme has completed 182-of-298 passes for 2,238 yards and 15 touchdowns against the Buccaneers. On December 26, 2004, Delhomme threw for a career-best four touchdowns and had a 143.4 quarterback rating.
While the uniform has changed, the Buccaneers are expecting the same Delhomme they have seen several times before.
“I played that guy twice a year for a lot of years and even when he wasn’t the starting quarterback in Carolina, I think we saw him in New Orleans one time and he beat us coming off the bench. I know a lot about him,” said Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber, now in his 14th NFL season. “The respect is definitely mutual. I know what he can do to me from his position and hopefully, he feels the same way. He’s a pro, man. You’ve got to appreciate when you have guys like that in your locker room. We know what he’s going to give us. He beat us a bunch of times when he was with Carolina, so I’m sure he feels he has that intimate knowledge of us to do it again.”
“Jake’s a consummate pro,” Morris added. “He’s a guy that knows us and we know him very well. He’s a guy that can find people all across the board. He knows how to get the ball into his playmakers’ hands. He had a great playmaker over there in Carolina for a long time and now, he goes over to (Cleveland) and he’s picked up a couple playmakers as well, the young man from Georgia, Mohamed (Massaquoi), and a young guy named Mr. Cribbs. We know what those guys can do when they get the ball in their hands, along with the strong running game that (they) were able to finish the year with Jerome Harrison.”
With the 2010 season opener only a few days away, Delhomme and the Browns and making their final preparations for Tampa Bay.
“I feel good, I feel very good,” Delhomme said. “I’m very excited to go out and play. Like I keep saying, I think I enjoy it and I appreciate it so much more the older I get. To think, I’m going into my third decade of playing football in the National Football League. I literally pinch myself. I’m excited and ready to go.”
BEING NAMED A CAPTAIN
Delhomme may be in a new place, but his leadership capabilities have quickly been noticed by his teammates. He was announced as one of the team’s six captains and along will left tackle
“That’s always an honor to me,” Delhomme said. “Anything you get to accomplish, one, to be a player in the National Football League, but to be elected captain, that was always something that means more to me than just about anything else because it’s voted on by the people that know you best. It’s special.
“I don’t think I need to challenge this team on anything,” he added. “We want to try and be a winner. That’s been our whole focus all offseason, all training camp and everything. We want to play consistent football and we want to help make the Browns a winner. That’s why we’re all here. We play this game for one reason and one reason only, and that’s to win.”
JONES ANCHORING BUCS SECONDARY
Former Browns safety Sean Jones spent the 2009 season with the Philadelphia Eagles before finding a home in the Buccaneers’ secondary this summer. Jones worked his way into the starting strong safety spot after a good showing during training camp and the preseason.
“He brings a physical presence,” said Barber. “We haven’t seen his type of physical play since (John) Lynch left. We have Tanard Jackson and he doesn’t mind throwing his body around, but he doesn’t have the body-type to do it like Lynch used to do it. Sean came in and that’s basically how he became our starting strong safety.
"He’s a great teammate,” Barber continued. “I think he would’ve accepted it either way, but he just came in and worked, brought his attitude into this building, into our defensive back room and it’s going to help us.”
MIRROR IMAGES
The Buccaneers and Browns had to work through some hard times in 2009, but both teams finished their respective seasons well. Morris noticed that right away and is anticipating Sunday’s games will be a fun one.
“They’re in the stage that we’re in, building a lasting contender, getting young players to come in and develop them, coach them with their guys, coach them with their talent and have all those guys come in and form that family unity that we seek,” he said. “It’ll be an exciting game, two young, dynamic teams to go out there and watch. That’s why everybody’s excited about this game and we’re excited as well.”
