Panthers receiver Steve Smith took the blame for Jake Delhomme's costly interception against the Cowboys on Monday night. Frustrated by his inability to get open and navigate double-teams, Smith altered his route late in the fourth quarter. He stayed outside instead of running inside as Delhomme expected. The result was a Dallas interception that resulted in a 27-yard return for the game-clinching touchdown. "Jake was expecting me to cross his face," Smith said. "I should have crossed his face and I didn't cross his face. I put Jake in a bad situation. I second-guessed my route and I shouldn't have. The bottom line is that I screwed Jake." Smith didn't want Delhomme taking the blame for another loss. "I am a firm believer in calling a spade a spade," added Smith. "Jake, for many years, has expected me to cross a guy's face. Nine out of ten times I cross his face. This is the one time I didn't and I screwed us. (Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman) was playing a cover two technique. He was taking the inside away. He did a good job. Terence Newman did a good job all day. They had a very good game plan. They stuck to it. On that play I was impatient and it didn't work. It was not up to the caliber it should have been and what's expected of me and what I'm used to doing."

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney says that quarterback Jake Delhomme's contract extension is for three seasons. Carolina gave Delhomme a contract extension this offseason even after he struggled mightily in the postseason. In a radio interview with 610 AM The Fan, Hurney clarified that the deal is for three years, not the reported five.

Julius Peppers says that he's happy with the Panthers, but things could change very quickly. "I'm here right now," Peppers told the Herald. "I'm happy being here right now. I'm not going to discuss anything, really it's useless to discuss anything that happened in the offseason. All that's done. It's over. "As far as next offseason, we'll discuss that, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. As far as right now, I'm happy being here and looking forward to trying to finish the season." Peppers wanted to be traded after Carolina placed the franchise tag on him last offseason.

Jake Delhomme will start at quarterback against the Falcons this week, but the Panthers have added A.J. Feeley to the mix. Delhomme has committed 11 turnovers over the team's last two games, dating back to their playoff loss to the Cardinals. "It's like Tiger Woods doesn't win every tournament. [Roger] Federer doesn't win every tournament," Carolina coach John Fox said. "There's a lot of people out there that practice and get paid, too." Feeley, who was cut by the Eagles earlier this month, agreed to a contract with the Panthers and was expected to arrive in town on Monday night. He'll replace Josh McCown, who the team placed on the IR.

Steve Smith was unhappy with the way he was used in Carolina's season-opening loss to Philadelphia. He finished the game with three receptions for 21 yards as the Panthers fell 38-10 at home. Two of the four interceptions that quarterback Jake Delhomme threw came on passes intended for the team's top receiver. "When I'm running, I'm always open," Smith told the News Observer. "I'm open right now [answering postgame questions]. A wide receiver who doesn't believe he is always open is not a very good wide receiver."

Jake Delhomme carried his playoff struggles over into the new season on Sunday, but the Panthers are sticking by him. However, the Charlotte Observer points out that there are plenty of decent quarterback options on the market should they tire of Delhomme. Brian Brohm, Jeff Garcia, Joey Harrington, A.J. Feeley, Andrew Walter, Brian Griese and Gus Frerotte are all available.

Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme has thrown nine interceptions in his last 51 passes. Five of Delhomme's interceptions came against the Cardinals in the NFC playoffs last season and four came on Sunday against the Eagles. Carolina recently gave Delhomme a long-term extension with $20 million in guaranteed money.

Eagles offensive lineman Shawn Andrews isn't worried about facing off against Panthers defender Julius Peppers on Sunday. "I don't want to get into a hissing match - but at the same time, I'm a beast, too," Andrews told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "It's not a me-and-Peppers thing. It's a team deal. But, since you asked about the individual battle - I'm a beast, too. Let the beasting begin, if you will." Andrews hasn't played a game in nearly a year to do injury.