NFL official: Refs will 'be a presence early' in Josh Norman-Odell Beckham Jr. matchup
We're all expecting fireworks when Odell Beckham Jr. and Josh Norman resume their months-long brouhaha this weekend.
A quick refresher for those needing one: Beckham and Norman exchanged hard hits and drew multiple flags as the Panthers defeated the Giants in Week 15 last season. Beckham was suspended for one game for a particularly vicious helmet-to-helmet hit on Norman. The two exchanged barbs on Twitter in the weeks that followed, and things once again heated up this summer after Norman signed with the Washington Redskins. When Norman failed to cover Antonio Brown in Washington's season-opening loss to the Steelers, the Giants were quick to let him hear about it.
With the two finally meet on the field once again, and with Norman reportedly set to shadow OBJ, the referees will be taking no chances on Sunday, according to NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino.
As Blandino notes, the NFL often takes such proactive measures. Last week, officials prepared for potential problems between the Bengals and Steelers after two nasty games between the two teams last season, including one in the playoffs. That doesn't mean fans will necessarily like hearing that the refs plan to "be a presence early." Most people just want to watch football -- and more than a few are probably rooting for Norman and Beckham to go at it anyway.
One thing is for sure: If you can find an oddsmaker willing to set a line for number of penalties in this game, take the over. ... well, assuming that he doesn't artificially inflate the line, knowing that you're going to want to take the over. See, this is why sports betting can be tricky.
