Ex-teammate: Derek Anderson not a mentor

[rayzor]

I think most of us had that concern when we heard the Panthers were interested in him.

We don't know the expectations of him while in Az, but my understanding is that he was told, very clearly, that his role here is to be a mentor.

I'm sure his familiarity with Chud was a huge deciding factor, but this is why I wanted Jake back, this is a role he'd be perfect for at this stage of his career.

agreed, although i'm not sure as a mentor as much as to help them understand the playbook better...kind of a tutor.

[Swarly]

the playbook

That's what coaches are for.

[Ivan The Awesome]

In Rivera and Chudz I trust.

[bleys]

This is the big difference here to me. He went into Arizona's season as starter. Hes coming to Carolina in a completely different role. That is his purpose. If the team didn't think he understood his role, then he wouldn't have been signed.

#huddle'srocketscientist.. lol@idiotsfailingtograspsimpleconcepts

[setzer2030]

I don't really get the big deal about having someone as a mentor. It's pretty well known that Favre didn't really "reach out" to Rodgers and he turned out fine. If a guy is destined to be great, it doesn't really matter if he has a guy patting him on his back on the sidelines.

[Delhommey]

He wears red and his last name is Skelton?

SPORTSWRITERS HAVE GOTTEN LAZY IN THEIR GRANDPA JOKES!!!11!!!!!

[lightsout]

I don't really get the big deal about having someone as a mentor. It's pretty well known that Favre didn't really "reach out" to Rodgers and he turned out fine. If a guy is destined to be great, it doesn't really matter if he has a guy patting him on his back on the sidelines.

Watching a future Hall of Famer is all the mentoring anybody needs. If I was 2nd string MLB for our team now, Beason would never have to tell me anything or give me tips. I'd just try to replicate the things he did to prepare and his approach to the game. Anderson isn't necessarily good enough for THAT, but his time in the league has taught him how to prepare and he knows more about NFL defenses than Jimmy and Cam. He'll have to be the vocal mentor that perhaps Favre wasn't.

[Dpantherman]

That's what coaches are for.

Yep, and having a QB on the roster that knows the playbook doesn't help them out all. I see your point.

[Mr ocho nueve]

Another QB who had one decent year that people teams try to bring in thinking he is suitable for whatever role we have for him.

If he couldn't keep his job from Brady Quinn, we has nothing to worry about.

[armistice]

Anderson was supposed to start in Arizona if Leinart failed. Well imo Anderson knew that if he helped mentor his competition he might get be out. I don't blame the guy he was in a competition. Here he is not, that and he knows the lingo which is key.

Skelton wasn't competing for the starting position, he was third string (maybe even fourth during preseason I dunno) and was going to stay there. Mentoring a rookie, whether it be through strong help (going through playbooks together, work outs together, etc) or teaching a small trick here or there (which I would assume someone like him would do, as any good mentor would do) is completely different. Anderson will prove to be a waste of cap and roster space in my mind.

[Brokenbad]

Since when has Lienart ever been "established"?

[jks85]

he doesn't have to be their big brother in order for them to glean information from him. if they are astute, his familiarity with the playbook and the system will ease their transition even if he never goes out of his way to assist them. i doubt they would have signed him if not for the shortened offseason

also agree w/the idea that he was in a different situation last year. newton's pedigree make's anderson's purpose for being on the panthers evident

edit: also, the qbs are not the only people that anderson can assist in learning the offense

[superduperpanthersfan]

This whole "mentor" thing is a bit of a farce. Anderson was likely brought in as insurance more than for his mentoring capabilities.

Clausen did what last year? Now they're bringing in a rookie with 1 year of major college starts running a simplified spread offense and wanting him to pick up a pro offense in 5-6 weeks?

Quick, someone name all of the available pros have had some success in Chud's offense....

He's had a rough go of it, but Chud feels he does know the system so he might be able to help out as a stopgap guy 'til the kids catch on. Bring him in, talk with him, and by all means tell him the public face on this is that he's here to "mentor" the kids while there's a possibility that he's also competing for the job. I suspect they told him the job's his for the taking, but it would be as a placeholder 'til Cam or Jimmy (likely Cam) stepped up to take it away.

He was probably brought in to make it easier for the rest of the team to get into the new playbook as much or more than to ease the kids into it.

[CatMan72]

Different situation in ARZ last year, Anderson was brought there to start not to be a mentor so he wasn't going to help Skelton take his job.

The Panthers agreed to sign Anderson because he agreed to help Jimmy and Cam... listen to his comments since he signed, he knows his role here.