Count Panthers coach Ron Rivera among those who believe rookie quarterback Cam Newton has earned a spot in the Pro Bowl next month in Hawaii.

Newton is third in fan voting for the NFC quarterback position, trailing Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers and New Orleans’ Drew Brees. Three quarterbacks are selected for each conference. Wide receiver Steve Smith also is third in voting among NFC wide receivers.

The fan voting counts for one-third of the total. Player voting and coach voting, which will be done next week, account for the remaining vote totals.

Pro Bowl honorees will be announced Dec. 27.

“I think in light of everything he’s done and gone through, that young man has proven himself,” Rivera said. “It’s another step in the process of his development. I think he most certainly deserves the opportunity. There are a lot of deserving players in this league as to who should go to the Pro Bowl and who shouldn’t.

“I do believe what he’s done this year speaks for itself and speaks for what we’ve done offensively. I just think the young man has been tremendous.”

Smith offered his support of Newton.

“He’s played extremely well. He’s done a great job as a rookie,” Smith said. “The NFC is tight. It’s a tight race. Sometimes as a rookie, you kind of get overlooked because they say, ‘Well, see if you can do it again.’ … You have to build your resume.”

GOING HOME: Wide receiver Brandon LaFell looks forward to going home to Houston this weekend where he’ll put 50 friends and family members in a suite for the game at Reliant Stadium.

“I’m not going to lie – I circled this one on the calendar since the first day we got into camp,” LaFell said.

LaFell said the Texans came into existence while he was in high school, filling a void created when the Oilers moved to Tennessee. He’s paid attention as the Texans have locked up their first playoff spot this season.

“I’m enjoying (their success) even though I play here. I’m still a guy from Houston at heart,” LaFell said. “To see that team have the success they’re having, this year being the first year they’ve made the playoffs, it’s kind of good for the city.”

LaFell said he plans to spend as much time with his family as possible while in Houston.

“Hopefully we win and coach will let me stay back for an extra day or so,” LaFell said.

KICK IT: Rivera said both Olindo Mare and Adi Kunalic worked with the field goal unit during Thursday’s practice and will do so again today. Rivera said no decision has been made about who will kick for the Panthers on Sunday.

A NEW ’DO: Running back DeAngelo Williams will wear his hair braided this week, leaving less for defenders to grab when they’re tackling him.

Williams appeared to be pulled down by his dreadlocks last week against Atlanta, the second time it has happened this season. It also happened against the Detroit Lions, earning a 15-yard penalty flag. There was no flag thrown when Williams was pulled down against the Falcons because it happened between the tackles.

“I actually learned something about the call, that you can actually horse collar inside the tackles. I didn’t know that,” Williams said. “I thought a horse collar was a horse collar no matter where it was on the field.”

Williams said it hurts to be pulled down by his hair.

“That’s why it’s braided now,” he said.

GETTING IT DONE: Linebacker James Anderson, forced into a larger role this season with the absence of Jon Beason and Thomas Davis, ranks third in the NFC in tackles. He has 117 tackles, trailing only Washington linebacker London Fletcher and Minnesota linebacker Chad Greenway.

“That’s impressive,” Rivera said. “And this is a guy that’s – I don’t want to say playing out of position – but he’s playing out of role. His role really is he’s part of a group. Where now he’s trying to lead that group. It’s been great watching him grow.”