SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Four years ago, quarterback Derek Anderson enjoyed a career year under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.
Anderson and Chudzinski have now been reunited in Carolina, but Anderson’s first assignment is to help the careers of the Panthers’ inexperienced quarterbacks after the free agent signed with the team Monday night.
“I’m obviously excited about being here and being back with Chud and the opportunity to help out with Cam (Newton) and Jimmy (Clausen),” Anderson said. “I want to grow myself too, but I’m going help them with things in this offense that I’ve learned in the past and pass that information along.”
Anderson, a six-year NFL veteran, plans to compete for snaps with Clausen and Newton, who have one year of NFL experience between them. But Anderson, who struggled the past three seasons following his breakout year in Cleveland, understands he must also help his fellow Carolina quarterbacks with pre-snap reads and the like.
“I don’t think anybody knows the answer to what’s going to go on in the next four or five weeks, but I go into every training camp like I’m going to play. I think that’s what has kept me going, even if it’s not realistic,” Anderson said. “Coming out to practice today was good, just reading plays that were familiar to me and talking football with Cam and Jimmy. I’ve been through a lot of struggles and through a lot of good times, and that can all help.”
Anderson played for the Arizona Cardinals last year but said he knew he’d be released in the offseason because of his own poor play and that of the team. In 23 starts over the last three seasons, he’s thrown 29 interceptions after throwing for 29 touchdowns and 3,787 yards in 2007 to make the Pro Bowl.
