CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton will be back under center for the Carolina Panthers' home opener Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
For Anderson, it's back to the bench.
Anderson has served as Newton's backup the last three seasons, but has only thrown four passes during that span.
When he informed Anderson on Saturday night that he would make his first start since 2010, he said the 31-year-old quarterback simply responded "I'm ready to go."
He got plenty of help from his defense, which shutout Josh McCown and the Bucs for three quarters.
At times, Newton couldn't stand sitting still.
"It just says a lot about the kind of guy he is and how much pride he takes in preparing every week,NFL Jerseys Cheap," said tight end Greg Olsen,Cheap Air Max Shoes With Free Shipping, who had eight catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. "It's been years and he hasn't gotten his number called, but he's always been prepared and then a day like today he's worth his weight in gold."
"It was big," Anderson said. "Personally, I know a lot of those guys in the locker room got my back, so to go out there and not let those guys down, that's something that pushes me every day."
The referees had to warn Rivera to keep Newton off the field.
"Having known that Derek has played in this league and has had a lot of success in this league, I was very comfortable and very confident."
"In the long run, win or lose, we're better off now," Rivera said Monday. "He will be another week into his recovery. The doctors were all saying if we can get to this (week) we will all feel more comfortable about his situation."
"We are very fortunate," Rivera said. "We have got a couple of really good backup quarterbacks. Derek's an established quarterback in this league and Joe (Webb) had a great preseason for us,Cheap Jerseys From China, so I felt very comfortable with the situation we were going to have. It gave me some comfort, but at the same time I know who Cam Newton is and I want him on the football field as well.
Newton didn't talk after the game, telling reporters he didn't want to steal the attention away from Anderson.
But he was confident he made the right decision when he informed Newton on Saturday night he wouldn't dress.
Anderson battled through cramps in his forearms and calves in the second half from the intense Florida heat, but all things considered thought he played pretty well.
Rivera said Newton desperately wanted to play — and tried to convince coaches to let him,Jerseys Cheap NFL. He said having to keep the competitive quarterback out against the Buccaneers was "one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make."
Anderson, a 10-year NFL veteran, stepped in and threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-14 victory, giving Carolina its first win in a season opener since 2008.
That means it's won and done for Panthers backup quarterback Derek Anderson,China Jerseys Cheap.
Rivera said he's always had faith in Anderson,NFL Jerseys 2018, who was a Pro Bowl quarterback in 2007 for the Cleveland Browns and has started 44 career games.
Newton is scheduled to return to practice Wednesday after his streak of 48 consecutive starts was snapped.
"That's who Cam is - he's excitable guy and he wants to be a part of it," Rivera said. "It's hard to stop him."
Rivera said he received a call from an NFL spokesman on Monday instructing him to remind him that action is not acceptable. Rivera said he was told Newton would not be subject to a fine.
Rivera said even with Newton on the way back, the team will continue to carry Webb on the roster as a third quarterback.
Rivera said Newton told him watching from the sidelines made it the longest game of his life.
During a television commercial break in the second quarter, Newton, wearing cut off black sweatpants, a long-sleeve black shirt and a Panthers baseball cap, ran on to the field and into the team's huddle. There he shouted encouragement to his teammates before retreating to the sideline.
However, Rivera now knows he has a reliable backup he can count on to win a big game. Anderson looked sharp all day, completing 24 of 34 passes with no interceptions.
Coach Ron Rivera made the announcement Monday after the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback was held out of Carolina's 20-14 win Sunday at Tampa Bay while recovering from fractured ribs.
