Super Bowl notebook: Panthers hint they'll let Cam Newton loose

SAN JOSE - How judicious do the Carolina Panthers have to be with quarterback Cam Newton's running during the Super Bowl? “Is this going to be one of those no-holds-barred, win-at-all-costs, put-the-ball-in-his-hands kind of game?” a reporter asked Panthers coach Ron Rivera on Thursday.

“I think for the most part, the approach has to be something like that,” Rivera said. “I think we have to understand what the situations and circumstances are within the game. It's situational football now from here on out. It is a no-holds-barred. There really is no next game. The approach has to be we're willing to do things we need to do. We'll have him do things that we want him to do for us and give us the best opportunity to win.”

A few minutes later, Newton replaced Rivera at the podium and a reporter asked how Newton feels about coaches “protecting” athletic quarterbacks by reducing their runs.

Newton made a face. “You're more susceptible to injuries inside the pocket. You can't protect yourself.”

Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula later agreed with his quarterback. “If it's a one-on-one situation and he's out scrambling or he's out on a run where we get him in a one-on-one situation, it's much easier than not knowing where guys are coming from and just sitting in the pocket.”

DAVIS SAYS HE'S READY

Panthers All-Pro linebacker Thomas Davis broke his arm during the NFC championship game, but expects to play Sunday in the Super Bowl.

“When I initially found out, I didn't think that I was going to have the opportunity to play in this game,” Davis said Thursday. “But, from my doctors looking at the images, seeing where the break was and seeing that they could go in and fix it, they told me immediately, ‘Hey, we can fix this, and we can have surgery in the morning.' From that moment on, I was excited, and it was all about the rehab process.”

Davis was a full participant during both Wednesday and Thursday's practices. He will wear a protective arm brace during Sunday's game.

SNOOP DOGG IN THE HOUSE

Rap legend Snoop Dogg attended Thursday's media session as a reporter for the Rich Eisen Show and asked the first question at Cam Newton's press conference.

“Is the kid in you outweighing the man in you in this big game you're about to play?” Snoop asked.

“It's hard for me to give you like a direct answer without bringing both sides out,” Newton said, smiling. “Of course the professional side, you still have to go through meetings, try to come up with any type of edge, because you're still preparing for a team, but all the festivities, the media, everything leading up into it, all you see is Panthers-Broncos conversations on TV, it's hard not to just take it all in. I mean, it's hard.”

Then, a reporter said, “Cam, do you want Snoop to ask all the questions?”

“I think he would suffice,” Newton replied.

NFL PLANS MEXICO TRIP

The NFL is planning to play a regular-season game in Mexico City this year, with the Raiders hosting the Texans.

A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday that the NFL will return to Mexico for the first time in 11 years. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the NFL has not announced the game officially. Commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to do so in his Super Bowl news conference Friday.

A date for the game has not yet been determined; the NFL schedule comes out in the spring.

ESPN.com first reported the Texans-Raiders game would be played in Mexico City.

PEYTON'S ACHY HIP

Peyton Manning has faced scrutiny over almost every part of his body in his 18-year career, from his surgically repaired neck to the bottom of his foot. On Wednesday, the five-time MVP shared that a doctor told him a couple of years ago that he faces a hip replacement in his future.

“I said: ‘Doc, I didn't ask you if I was going to have a hip replacement. I didn't need to know that right here at age 37, but thanks for sharing. I look forward to that day when I am 52 and have a hip replacement,'” Manning said.

This report was supplemented by material from the Associated Press.