Find Jake Delhomme at Pro Bowl workouts this week, and more than likely Carolina Panthers teammate Steve Smith isn't too far away.

The quarterback and wide receiver practically do everything together — media interviews, family outings and football workouts. This season, they won together, helping the Panthers reach the National Football Conference title game.

"Certainly on the field, we expect good things out of each other, and we're hard on each other," said Delhomme, who passed for 3,421 yards and 24 touchdowns in the regular season. "But off the field, our families have become good friends. It makes that bond even stronger on the field."

Delhomme and Smith will represent the NFC in tomorrow's Pro Bowl — the 27th contest played at Aloha Stadium.

The Carolina duo wrecked opposing defenses this season, providing big play after big play. Delhomme, a seven-year veteran, earned his first Pro Bowl invitation, while Smith, a fifth-year pro, garnered his second trip to Hawai'i. They have been teammates since 2003.

"We're tough competitors," said the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Smith, who has developed great timing with Delhomme though hours of workouts. "We always go hard. Go hard or go home, and we don't want to go home.

"We always get along," Smith added. "Our wives (Keri Delhomme and Angie Smith) get along. Our kids play together, so we're a pretty, tight-knit family with all the offensive guys."

Smith this regular season became the first NFL player since Green Bay's Sterling Sharpe in 1992 to win the receiving triple crown, according to the Carolina Panthers' Web site. Smith had 103 receptions (tied with Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald), 1,563 receiving yards, and 12 receiving touchdowns (tied with Indianapolis' Marvin Harrison). He also had one rushing touchdown.

Smith broke his left leg in the 2004 season opener, but returned this season to have a career year.

"I'm very proud," Smith said. "My goal was just to really be out there and play, and let everything take care of itself."

This season, Delhomme led the NFL with 13 completions of 40 yards or more, the team said. Seven of them were completions to Smith. Of Delhomme's 262 total completions, 103 or 39 percent went to Smith. Also, half of Delhomme's 24 touchdowns found Smith.

Asked who his Pro Bowl target would be, Delhomme responded: "Whoever is open. We have a bunch of talented guys. The big thing is we did pretty well throwing it to Steve Smith, and we'll continue to throw it.

"Our offensive coordinator Dan Henning says, 'feed the stud,' " Delhomme added. "He's our stud, so we're going to feed him."

Pro Bowl opponents praised Delhomme and Smith this week.

"They have a good rapport with one another, and it shows on Sundays," said New York Jets cornerback Ty Law, a five-time Pro Bowler. "Those guys, you gotta come with your working boots on when you play them."

Law, a 1999 Pro Bowl most valuable player, called Smith "a very dangerous man" capable of beating defenses on any given play. Law held Smith to three catches for 34 yards in a 30-3 loss to the host Panthers on Nov. 13.

"You can't take one play off when you're playing him," Law said. "It brings out the best in you, because if you don't, you're going to see yourself on ESPN all day long."

Delhomme and Smith are one of four Panthers in the Pro Bowl with defensive end Julius Peppers and offensive guard Mike Wahle. The Panthers coaching staff, including head coach John Fox, are also here.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.