While DeSean Jackson spoke this week about his newfound love of fishing, it’s the baiting from Josh Norman that the Eagles really need to worry about.
Norman, who joined Washington before this season, has a knack for baiting quarterbacks to throw his way. Then he makes them pay.
Norman signed a five-year deal worth $75 million this offseason, making him the highest paid corner in the division, not to mention the loudest.
As much as Norman is known for his stellar play, he’s also known for his loud personality and braggadocious style.
“He’s a good competitor. That’s what I like in a corner,” Eagles receiver Josh Huff said. “I like a corner that’s going to compete with me and allow me to get better each and every down and Josh Norman does that.
“I respect him as a player, but he’s just got to know that us receivers, we’re not going to take anything from him. His antics. We respect him as a player, but when it comes down to it, we have to be a bigger dog than he is.”
Huff said he lined up a few times against Norman last year and the Pro Bowl corner didn’t try to trash talk him. Jordan Matthews said the same thing.
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According to Matthews, what stands out about Norman is his technique and that he plays to his strengths. Norman is good at disguising his drops and is particularly good at coaxing quarterbacks to throw his way.
“He’s a smart guy,” Matthews said. “I think people put him in that same realm as that Richard Sherman guy who’s athletic, good ball skills, but also knows the game and plays smart. So we definitely have to plan for him.”
Matthews said Norman's attitude has rubbed off on his teammates and the defense is playing with swagger.
Norman had four interceptions last season and he returned two of them for touchdowns. Since joining Washington, Norman has one pick and eight passes defended.
So far this season, Norman has been thrown at 26 times and has given up 14 catches for 181 yards and one touchdown, according to ProFootballFocus. Those numbers aren’t as impressive as his All Pro season in 2015 with the Panthers, but the Eagles are definitely accounting for him this weekend.
“We’ll be aware of where he’s at,” Wentz said. “He’s a playmaker and we have to know that. We respect the heck out of him, but it doesn’t really change our approach that much. We give him his respect and we know what type of player he is; he’s a playmaker. We don’t dwell on that too much at the same time.”
Because of the way Norman likes to bait quarterbacks, Huff said it’s even more important for him and the rest of the Eagles’ receivers to attack the ball in the air and be more aggressive.
“We have to make those plays for Carson and to be where we want to be at by the end of the year,” Huff said.
The receivers will try to fight for balls for Wentz, but a lot will be left up to the rookie quarterback as well. It should be a good test for him.
“Norman is a great corner,” offensive coordinator Frank Reich said. “He’s got great vision and great instincts. He’s got some length and good ball skills. Again, I think for Carson, [when facing] guys of that caliber, you look forward to going against the great ones. You really do.”