One of the biggest arguments about the huge rookie contracts is that veterans typically have to settle for less money. And while Jake Delhomme may not be earning Matt Ryan Money, his newly-signed extension with the Carolina Panthers puts him in better shape than most guys coming off a 5-interception playoff game in January. From SI.com, the one place where Cris Carter has all of his sports news read to him:

The deal [five years, $42.5 million] includes $20 million in guaranteed money and clears much needed salary-cap space for Carolina. Delhomme was to count for more than $10 million under the cap next season in the final year of his deal.

The move also gives the Panthers some room under the salary cap, weighed down by Julius Peppers’ one-year tender worth $16.7 million.

I guess this means that the Panthers aren’t drafting Matt Sanchez now. It’s too bad. North Carolina would have just fallen in love with that guy.