Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski of the Carolina Panthers has a bag full of tricks, and he's not afraid to use them — even if it means borrowing a play from a kids' movie.
Chudzinski is finding fun news ways to use the athleticism of rookie quarterback Cam Newton to his advantage.
The latest twist was borrowing a hidden-ball trick loosely adapted from a play called "The annexation of Puerto Rico" from the 1994 movie "Little Giants" to help the Panthers defeated the Houston Texans 28-13. The play resulted in a 7-yard touchdown run by fullback Richie Brockel and landed the Panthers on highlight reels.
And it had the Texans chasing an empty-handed Newton, who sold the play perfectly.
"Cam's ability to run and throw, it just adds another dimension," coach Ron Rivera said. "It has been kind of neat to see the different things we've been able to do with him over the course of the season and show he's an integral part of what we are and what we're going to become."
It's not the first time Chudzinski has used a gadget play to ignite the offense.
Two weeks ago against Tampa Bay, he called for a throwback pass from receiver Legedu Naanee — who originally went to Boise State to play quarterback — to Newton that resulted in a big gain and nearly another touchdown before Newton was dragged down at the 2-yard line.
Chudzinski also has used running back DeAngelo Williams in the Wildcat and also had another former college quarterback, Armanti Edwards, throw a pass to Steve Smith on Sunday.
Chudzinski declined interviews through the team's public relations department, saying he was too busy preparing for Saturday's game against Tampa Bay.
But Rivera said the play used Sunday is another example of Chudzinski's creative nature, which is just part of the reason he brought him to Carolina.
"You can sit there and wonder what else can you guys do?" Rivera said. "I think it's about knowing what your strengths and weaknesses are for each of your players. … But we're not here to get fans excited about (trick plays); we want to get them excited about the fact we can win football games."
The Panthers didn't run many trick plays early in the season. That's because Chudzinski didn't have a great grasp on his new roster because of the lockout.
On Sunday, with the Panthers leading 14-0 and facing second and 6 at the Texans' 7, the Texans bit when Newton took the snap and did a spin move as he rolled right. What they didn't see was Newton putting the ball between the legs of Brockel, who had lined up just a few feet behind the right guard.
"When we put that play in, I never thought in a million years that that play was going to work, let alone get a touchdown," receiver Brandon LaFell said.
Rivera said: "It's one of those plays where if the timing is right and you call it at the right time, it's about as good as it gets."
Although thrilled with how the play worked out, Rivera was more pleased that the Panthers (5-9) were finally able to close out a game against a playoff team.
The fourth quarter has been brutal for the Panthers, who have lost six games in which they were either leading or tied. Sunday's win was the Panthers' first against a team with a winning record.
"It's very nice, more so for our players to understand that we have that kind of ability in the locker room and we have guys who can step up and make plays when they have to," Rivera said.
Wide receiver Steve Smith said every win is important as the Panthers look ahead to next season.
"Some people may say that we aren't playing for anything, what's the point, but we are playing for the next three Sundays and then the first Sunday in September," Smith said. "Hopefully, if you keep working hard enough, you'll be on that final roster in September. That's what you are playing for, future employment."
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