Josh Norman is basically the new Richard Sherman, and former NFL defensive back Rodney Harrison has helped get him there.
It all started last week when Harrison predicted that Julio Jones would get the best of Norman in Sunday’s Panthers-Falcons game. Carolina ended up winning 38-0, and Jones caught seven passes for 88 yards. Only three or four of Jones’ catches were when he was being covered one-on-one by Norman, and the others were in zone coverage.
Naturally, Norman has been letting Harrison have it on Twitter.
Stop it..RT @TommyFromNC: "I think he's a bitter old man." @J_No24 on @Rodney_Harrison pic.twitter.com/fcLru0RPk0
— *Joshua R. Norman (@J_No24) December 15, 2015
RT @RashadWilkins11: @J_No24 We know he wasn't shutdown ! pic.twitter.com/6VQuavxdAF
— *Joshua R. Norman (@J_No24) December 15, 2015
Preach! RT @terrellowens: I could less about Rodney Harrison! Anybody tht using steroids, yes STEROIDS … https://t.co/TvsJ1kmkbh
— *Joshua R. Norman (@J_No24) December 15, 2015
Rather than simply giving Norman his props and moving on, Harrison told Scott Fowler of The Charlotte Observer on Monday that he still believes Jones is a better player.
“If the entire situation was equal, with Julio Jones having a quality quarterback throwing to him, then I think Julio Jones wins that matchup because I just think he’s physically more superior than Josh,” Harrison said. “That’s not taking anything away from Josh. … Julio Jones is a hell of a football player. He’s one of the top five players in this league.”
Harrison told Fowler several times that he believes Norman is the No. 1 cornerback in the game right now, but Norman doesn’t want to hear it.
“You are an analyst and that means reporting the truth, not some mythological thing that you have in your head that’s not factual information,” Norman said. “That’s why I say you are horrible at (your job). … If you had done your homework, you would have seen I played this guy twice last year and it was the same outcome. So I don’t know what you want to see that I haven’t done.”
Harrison tossed a bunch more compliments at Norman, but Norman was only interested in picking out the stuff like Harrison saying the 28-year-old is “having one good year.”
“One good year?! What happened to last year? Where was this guy?” Norman asked. “He was nowhere to be found. Dude, if you watch your film like the junkie you say you are, then you would know we did this last year. Twice! It’s not one good year, dude.
“I think he’s a bitter old guy, man. I’m sorry to say it, but it’s real. … We don’t have to care for each other. I’m in Charlotte. You’re broadcasting wherever you’re at, wishing you could probably play again. I ain’t on that level. I’m trying to win a Super Bowl.”
As we mentioned before, Norman is doing everything he can to keep a chip on his shoulder. That was evident when he made these comments about ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio. Every time Harrison speaks, he does Panthers fans a favor.
H/T Deadspin
Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
