"First it was Warren Moon, then George Whitfield and, most recently, Chris Weinke.

Now Panthers rookie Cam Newton has a new quarterback mentor: Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals castoff Derek Anderson.

Anderson, 28, signed a one-year deal with the Panthers on Monday to fill a veteran void at the position, and perhaps bridge the gap until Newton is ready to start. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.

Anderson was released last week by Arizona, where he was benched last season and replaced by undrafted rookie Max Hall. The Cardinals started another rookie, John Skelton, later in the season while Anderson sat.

So Anderson is familiar with this role. In addition to Newton, the No. 1 overall pick, the Panthers have a pair of second-year quarterbacks in Jimmy Clausen and Tony Pike.

"I know I've still got a lot left. I've got a lot of excitement in me, playing the game. I love studying and doing all those things," Anderson said. "But right now it's going to be to help Cam and to help Jimmy."

Anderson will be reunited in Charlotte with Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, who was Cleveland's offensive coordinator in 2007 when Anderson had the best season of his five-year career.

His familiarity with Chudzinski's scheme is part of the reason the Panthers thought Anderson would be a good addition.

Chudzinski called Anderson "a veteran guy that has some exposure and knows the language that will be able to help out, particularly in the meeting room, and bring some stability."

But Panthers coach Ron Rivera does not want Anderson to be satisfied with holding a clipboard."