He can’t forget the past

That wasn’t the case, however, for Jake Delhomme.

The last six months might as well have been six years for Delhomme, whose five-interception performance in the 2008 NFC Divisional round of the playoffs cost the Carolina Panthers a chance at hosting the conference championship. The mistake-filled effort opened the door for the Arizona Cardinals’ surprising run to the Super Bowl, and put Delhomme in a spot most athletes dread, forced to wait more than half a year for a shot at redemption.

So as teams prepare for the start of training camps over the next two weeks, few players will be as eager for the physical and mental grind as Delhomme.

Yet as much as he plans to charge ahead, he realizes many will be looking back. And he’s OK with that.

“I’m going to get asked that question in training camp, I’m going to get asked that question leading up to the first game, and if I have a bad game this year, that’s going to be brought up, but you know what? It’s part of the deal. It’s part of the contract I signed in third grade to play quarterback,’’ he said.

“I didn’t play well and I’m the first one to admit it. Then you ask yourself, ‘Would I have done anything different preparation-wise or practice-wise?’ The answer is 100 percent ‘no’. I would have done the exact same thing, because it was the same way I’ve been preparing to play since I’ve been a starter. It wasn’t our night, and it wasn’t my night.

“It’s easy for me to say, ‘I’ll forget about it,’ but no, because it burns, it bothers you. Sometimes when you want something so bad, you don’t just get it right away. You have to get knocked down. I know myself, I’m looking to get back up.’’

Such comments are why the 34-year-old Delhomme is one of the NFL’s more likeable players, and reflect an approach that probably made Panthers general manager Marty Hurney more comfortable in awarding Delhomme a five-year, $42.5 million contract extension this offseason.

Delhomme’s deal was the signature move for a Panthers team that has been financially handcuffed by the franchise-tag figure of $16.7 million assigned to defensive end Julius Peppers. The Panthers and Peppers couldn’t reach a long-term extension by last Wednesday’s deadline for franchised players, meaning Peppers will remain on the books for that $16.7 million. Peppers previously had wanted to play elsewhere but since has changed his tune.

Delhomme said while Peppers’s situation might have appeared to be a distraction, it was far from it.

“I think the thing that made it easier for us is that Julius is not the kind of guy who draws attention to himself. So this ordeal, him not being there, it wasn’t talked about much with players,’’ Delhomme said. “We expect, when Julius does walk on the field, it’s going to be the same Julius, someone who goes hard every practice, doesn’t miss a practice, doesn’t say a word, and will go right back to who he was.’’

While the Panthers were one of the NFL’s few teams not to sign an unrestricted free agent from another team this offseason - in part because Peppers was tying up so much cap space - Delhomme points out that the club should still improve by returning 21 of 22 starters (cornerback Ken Lucas was the lone defection).

Also, the Panthers re-signed cornerback Chris Gamble and offensive tackle Jordan Gross to multimillion-dollar deals before they would have become high-level free agents this past March. Those moves, Delhomme said, are often overlooked when assessing a team’s offseason activity and highlight the franchise’s approach of drafting and keeping its core players.

Because of that, the Panthers’ most significant changes haven’t come on the field, but on the sidelines, with the addition of defensive coordinator Ron Meeks, formerly of the Colts, and an almost entirely new defensive staff.

If the formula produces the desired mix, the Panthers will continue to be a power running team behind a physical offensive line and running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, while complementing that approach with an aggressive defense spearheaded by Peppers and middle linebacker Jon Beason, a rising star.

Assessing the team after spring practices, Delhomme compared the Panthers to a scoop of chocolate ice cream because of their straightforward approach.

“There are all these different flavors out there, but sometimes just plain, old chocolate is pretty darn good,’’ he said. “We’re not this big mix of stuff, and won’t be a team that is picked by many to have that good of a season because there are a lot of other sexy picks. But I think we’re a team that can fly under the radar, play good football, hopefully get our foot in the playoffs, and get hot at the right time. I see a young and hungry team.’’

Funny tale from the hood

Sometimes a busted play leads to a big score, and such was the case with Patriots coach Bill Belichick . . . and his gray hoodie.

Kenny Gamble, Reebok’s vice president of merchandising, laughs when he tells the story.

As Gamble explained when this reporter visited Reebok corporate headquarters in Canton last week, head coaches have specific guidelines on what NFL-sponsored Reebok apparel they should wear during games - with choices for the preseason, the “first season’’ (warmer weather) and “second season’’ (colder weather).

Belichick, however, went off the script around 2002, deciding to wear the gray hoodie that was produced for players - not coaches - from all 32 teams.

It was a choice that initially irked some Reebok officials.

Not anymore.

The gray hoodie has not only become a Belichick trademark, it’s become a moneymaker. According to Gamble, about 50 percent of all NFL gray hoodie sales have included the Patriots logo.

“After a while, our approach was, ‘Let’s not fight it, let’s try to take advantage of it.’ He’s made that piece famous,’’ Gamble said.

The story of Belichick and his gray hoodie was circulating around Reebok headquarters once again this spring after a Patriots practice in which Belichick donned a blue throwback Boston Patriots sweatshirt - a garment he wasn’t supposed to have because it was not yet in production.

Once Belichick was spotted on local newscasts and photographed by local newspapers and websites, Reebok began experiencing a sudden demand for the sweatshirt that coaches will wear in games celebrating the American Football League’s 50th anniversary.

“Unknowingly, and probably the last thing he cares about, he’s kind of been a fashion icon,’’ Gamble chuckled.

For these players, credit where credit is overdue

Steve Breaston (Cardinals receiver, third year): “He’s one of the overlooked players on our team, maybe because of the other two guys we have at the position [Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin]. He’s just a real hard worker, a real pro who is easy to root for because he does things the right way, and doesn’t complain about things. I think he could be a No. 1 or 2 receiver on another team.’’ - Cardinals quarterback Brian St. Pierre

Jacob Ford (Titans defensive end, third year): “The guy had seven sacks last year and he didn’t get any credit for it. If a lot of people go back and watch our film, they’ll see what kind of guy he is. He’s already made more improvement this year.’’ - Titans defensive lineman Tony Brown

Brad Hoover (Panthers fullback, 10th year): “He’s unbelievably underrated and a big part of what we do. Jonathan [Stewart] was scoring all these touchdowns the first eight games of the season, and DeAngelo [Williams] was breaking all these long runs for touchdowns the second half of the season. The offensive line was blocking well, and the tight ends too, but I think our fullback is overlooked. He’s fantastic.’’ - Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme

Ralph Brown (Cardinals defensive back, 10th season): “He’s very adept at the nickel [cornerback] position and plays well on special teams, approaching his job in such a professional manner while helping a lot of younger players. He studies the game and understands how to play situational football, which has helped us out a lot.’’ - Cardinals receiver Sean Morey

Tanard Jackson (Buccaneers safety, third year): “I was really impressed with his knowledge of the game, and he has really good range for a free safety. I don’t think he’s necessarily on the map, but he’s one that stood out to me when I was out there in Tampa.’’ - Texans safety Eugene Wilson

Etc.

Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com; material from personal interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.