During training camp and preseason, Jake Delhomme looked like a rejuvenated quarterback one year removed from throwing eight touchdown passes and 18 interceptions with the Carolina Panthers.

But starting Sunday with a road game in Tampa the defenses testing Delhomme will be more exotic and more tenacious than those he faced in August when he completed 38 of 48 passes for 345 yards and two touchdowns. His passer rating was a glittering 110.5. In his final year in Carolina his passer rating was 59.4.

“I keep saying it over and over—it’s a fresh start for me,” Delhomme said after practice Monday. “It’s new and it’s exciting. I enjoy the guys, I enjoy our locker room and I enjoy the way the guys work.