Josh Norman says the Panthers disrespected Julio Jones with their coverage
The Carolina Panthers made the shocking decision to let Josh Norman go after slapping him with the franchise tag this offseason. After being the team’s second-best defensive player to Luke Kuechly, it was a move that left several people shaking their heads.
For the first three games of the season, it looked as though the Panthers could get by without Norman’s hefty contract. In Week 4, that idea went out the window thanks to Julio Jones.
Jones obviously went off for 12 catches and 300 yards at the expense of rookies James Bradberry and Daryl Worley, as well as Bené Benwikere. Bradberry exited the game early with a toe injury, so he was somewhat let off the hook, but Worley and Benwikere were not.
Norman has been reluctant to voice his opinion on the Panthers being made to look like an inept defense, but on Tuesday, he did. A few days after saying he was going to sip his tea and ignore the topic, Norman said this:
Norman himself had trouble with Jones last season as a Panther, as has just about every other cornerback in the NFL. His absence on Sunday forced Carolina’s coaching staff to tinker with Jones’ assignment a bit, not having the option to simply stick Norman on him.
Dan Quinn defended Carolina’s approach, despite the fact that it didn’t work.
On Monday, Norman said “you get what you pay for” with regards to the Panthers’ horrendous time trying to cover Jones, and it’s no surprise he’s basking in their downfall. They didn’t want him, and now they’re paying for it.
