Josh Norman Signs With Washington Redskins
Just a two days after becoming a free agent, cornerback Josh Norman did not waste anytime in finding a new team. The Washington Redskins have agreed to a 5 year deal with Norman worth $75 million with $50 million guaranteed. Norman spent the last four seasons with Carolina Panthers.
Last season in 16 games, Norman recorded 4 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, recovered 2 fumbles, 18 pass deflections, and 56 combined tackles. In his fourth season, Norman broke out showing the league that he has potential to become an elite shutdown corner in the league. Producing amazing numbers, becoming a huge part of the Panthers success last season. The team making it all the way to the super bowl only to lose to the Denver Broncos 24-10.
Even though Norman just broke out last season, he has proves that he has potential to be a consistent shut down corner for years to come. Norman is great in coverage against wide receivers, he has good hands, he has the speed to keep up with most of the receivers in the league. Norman also has a great reach shown from the 18 passes that he deflected last season.
Last season, Norman played a late season matchup against the New York Giants. Norman was covering Odell Beckham Jr, while these two were matched up against each other, tempers were flying between the corner and receiver, which involved a few penalties being called on both players and the both of them getting in a fight.
The Redskins are getting a good shutdown corner in Norman, expecting that he is not a one hit wonder and produces the same shutdown corner like numbers consistently. The team now has a corner in the secondary that can keep up with the receivers in the NFC East twice a year. With the likes of Beckham Jr, Dez Bryant, and whoever the Philadelphia Eagles have lined up against him.
On the Norman side of things, now that he has got the money and the long term deal that he has been searching for all offseason. Norman has to go out there and prove that he is worth the money that the Redskins are paying him for the next five seasons, by locking down guys like Beckham Jr and Bryant. If Norman can produce the numbers that elite corners should put up, this will be a good deal for both sides.
As stated earlier about what happened between Beckham Jr and Norman, it will be really interesting to see the rivalry between the two and how these two match up on and off the field now that the both of them will have to play each other twice a year. All I can say is, the NFC East has gotten a whole lot interesting. Also another thing to mention is how will Bryant and Norman match up on and off the field, since we all know Bryant is known to stir controversy on and off the field and Norman is known to do the same.
