Not too often do you read articles about pre-game production meetings between quarterbacks and the network televising their football games. There are two reasons for this.
1. Who really cares?
2. Network employees normally don’t discuss the meeting publicly.
Fox Sports’ Ronde Barber, a future Hall of Famer, decided that it made sense to speak publicly about Carolina Panthers backup quarterback Derek Anderson attending the pre-game production meeting prior to their matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday (via JoeBucsFan.com).
Panthers starter Cam Newton was also in attendance.
Why is this a big deal?
As Pro Football Talk’s Mile Florio pointed out, backup quarterbacks don’t usually attend meetings with the network prior to the game.
Is this an indication that Newton, who is questionable with a hairline fracture of the rib, will be benched in lieu of Anderson? That’s anyone’s guess. But Anderson’s presence in the meeting is something to keep an eye on.
From a fantasy perspective, maybe think twice about starting Newton, especially if you’re not going to be around when news comes out about who will be under center for the Panthers come Sunday morning.
If Newton is unable to go, the Panthers are going to be in trouble when game time comes calling. Anderson, mostly a career backup, hasn’t started a game in the NFL since 2010.
Photo: USA Today