Josh Norman rips Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper

After Washington shockingly defeated the Oakland Raiders, 27-10, on Sunday night, cornerback Josh Norman ripped Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, who combined for two receptions for 13 yards. According to Norman, some of Oakland’s receivers were talking trash to Washington’s defensive backs during the pregame.

What happened?

Norman told ESPN’s John Keim that some Raiders receivers told him they will collect 200 receiving yards against Washington’s defense. Norman, who is very outspoken, didn’t appreciate those comments and decided to voice his opinion about it after Washington pulled off the upset. His message to the Raiders’ receivers: Don’t tell me what you’re going to do. Show me.

“I mean, first and foremost, you don’t come up in here and say what you’re going to put up on somebody. Two hundred yards? [Crabtree] didn’t catch two balls. He only caught one, huh? So please, whatever you do, do not run your mouth if you’re a wide receiver and expect to show up on Sundays, because I’m telling you, we are here and we are waiting,” Norman said.

But Norman didn’t stop there. He had words for Crabtree, who has a history of engaging in trash talk with great cornerbacks, most famously Richard Sherman. Sherman said before that he doesn’t believe Crabtree is a great receiver, and Norman thought he sucked on Sunday night.

“Sherm was right. [Crabtree] ain’t going to say he’s sorry, but I don’t think he’s sorry,” Norman said. “He sucked, to be honest with you. You don’t come out here and do that extra stuff, man. We don’t play that out here.”

Why is this important?

Crabtree and Cooper were completely shut out of the game, and you have to give Washington’s secondary, led by Norman, credit. Oakland is loaded on offense, and a lot of people didn’t believe Washington could rise to the occasion and stifle the the Raiders.

Quarterback Derek Carr threw for 118 yards to go along with a touchdown and two interceptions. Carr told reporters after the game that “we just got our butt kicked.“

Norman is the unquestioned leader of this defense, and he provides an extra spark that this unit hasn’t had in a long time. He isn’t afraid to challenge the league’s best receivers. And Washington showed football fans why you could never underestimate any team in the NFL. Crabtree and Cooper will probably never doubt Washington ever gain. Well, let’s hope not.