Panthers, Derek Anderson finds simple solutions to complex problems in opener

        The Carolina Panthers were expected to wilt under the Florida sun and the pressure of losing franchise quarterback Cam Newton against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Instead they went on the road and built a 17-0 lead before holding on for a 20-14 win. The first opening day victory for Carolina since the 2008 season.

        One of the keys to the win was the efficient way that back up quarterback Derek Anderson managed first and second downs which translated into manageable third downs especially in the first half. In the second quarter, Anderson lead a gut-busting 15 play, 69 yard drive that took the starch out of the talented Bucs defense.

        Here's an example of a play drawn up by Panthers Offensive Coordinator Mike Shula that lead to one of those big conversions:

       As you can see the Panthers are lined up in a spread formation. Tampa's defense has loaded the box with seven men at the line of scrimmage.  The Bucs have two high safeties and the corners are 7 to 8 yards off the line of scrimmage.      Basically, they are saying we will get to you before you can get the pass off.  I find it a little puzzling that while showing an all out blitz they would show this four deep look on third and only four yards to go.

        Anderson was quick to capitalize. It appeared that the veteran audibled into a play that included two quick hitting concepts on each side - one designed to beat cover two or four and one designed to beat cover-3.

       On the boundary side, the Panthers ran a concept I call "flash". In this combination,

Rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin runs a square in or slant and tight end Greg Olsen runs an out route from the inside.  This is a good concept to  run versus a one high safety defense look with the corner walked off. In that case, the quarterback reads the alley defender. If the alley defender normally a safety or linebacker chases the flat route which should be his responsibility the quarterback would throw to the slant. If he drops into the slat window, then the quarterback throws to the flat.

      Because the Bucs are two hi defensive set up Anderson decided to work the the far

side of the play, where wide receivers Jason Avant and Jerricho Cotchery were running a concept I call "basic".  Basic includes a go route on the outside and an out route from the inside.  This quick game read is good against a two hi defensive set because it forces the corner to make a decision to drop with the vertical or release the vertical route and attack the flat. In this case, the corner dropped to protect against the vertical voiding the flat.  The safety who was covering the slot receiver from depth had no chance to stop the 5 yard gain that was good enough for a first down.