SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Showing his typically endearing self-deprecation the other day, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning wondered aloud whether the Panthers would install a special defense after he scrambled for 12 yards in the AFC championship game victory.
“I doubt I’ll get to run that much Sunday because of that,” Manning said, smirking. “There’s a good chance Carolina may send someone to spy me — you know, drop somebody to defend me in the run. I could see it happen. We’ll find out early, the first third down, to see if they have somebody spy me.”
Rest assured no player will have more eyes watching him during Super Bowl 50 on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, the venue for what looks like Manning’s last rodeo — his own words uttered to Patriots coach Bill Belichick postgame two Sundays ago that was captured on NFL Network cameras.