Panthers expect Josh Norman’s ‘best game’ in first meeting since leaving Carolina

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera told reporters on Tuesday that he hadn’t considered that his team would be facing their former cornerback Josh Norman this week.

Norman was a Pro Bowler and named a first-team All-Pro last season with the Panthers. The team placed the franchise tag on him last offseason, but then rescinded it, and Norman went on to sign with Washington.

Washington hosts Carolina on Monday Night Football, and Norman was already looking forward to the game after his team’s 27-22 win over the Eagles Sunday:

Norman will hope to relive history, and pick off his former teammate Cam Newton, as Washington tries to get back into the playoff picture.

Norman and Newton fought during training camp last season, after Norman picked him off and agitated Newton afterward.

However, Newton downplayed the return of Norman, saying, “It’s not a game about him versus us. We just need to win this game.”

Rivera had good things to say about Norman for the most part. The cornerback was a key piece of a defense that was first in interceptions last season with 24.

“He’s a unique talent,” Rivera said. “He’ll bring his best game. He’ll want to play well. And I know our guys will want to play well against him.”

While he praised Norman, Rivera also hinted at the reason for the team’s split with him.

“We saw the talent, we saw the ability,” Rivera said. “We got frustrated with him, and he’s stubborn and he’s hard-headed. But he’s tremendously talented, and we know that.”

Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott was also complimentary of Norman. “He was a big asset to our defense. It was fun to watch him develop. He worked hard at his craft and was a big part of what we’ve done over the last number of years.”

The Panthers used three of five picks in the 2016 NFL Draft with the hopes of replacing an elite talent like Norman. In the second round, they selected James Bradberry, who has played well this season despite being bit by the injury bug. Daryl Worley and Zach Sanchez were picked in the third and fifth round, respectively. Worley had his first career pick this past Sunday, and Sanchez went on IR in November.

Those moves haven’t yet panned out for the Panthers, who have a top three worst pass defense in the NFL. It’s early, and they’ll hope that they strike gold on one of the three rookies moving forward.

In 13 games this season for Washington, Norman has just one interception, 12 pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. He’s also had 39 tackles, assisting on 11. But numbers don’t tell the entire story — he’s been one of Washington’s best defensive players this season.

There doesn’t appear to be bad blood by anyone involved, although it would be particularly interesting to see what might happen if Norman were to get his hands on the ball and pick off Newton in a real game.