Among the talking points that have cropped up since cornerback Josh Norman’s surprise move from the Panthers to the Redskins is that Norman will be facing off with Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham twice during the 2016 season.
Norman and Beckham engaged in a battle of words leading into last year’s Panthers-Giants game that continued on the field and escalated physically. Both players were penalized during the game and Beckham was suspended the next week as a result of a running shot to Norman’s head at the end of a play.
During Monday’s introductory press conference with the Redskins, Norman was asked about Beckham. He laughed for a bit at a question he had to know was coming and didn’t do much to add to any tension when he eventually responded.
“It’s gonna be fun. He’s a competitor,” Norman said. “I’m gonna play. I’m gonna give everything I got just as well as he is … Whatever happens that day, it will happen. I don’t hold the future. But what I do know is that I’m gonna work my tail off until I see somebody that’s different. That’s all I’m bringing here. Just work. Work, work, work. Dedication to my craft. Everything else is pretty much irrelevant.”
Norman said he’s looking forward to the “best on best” matchups with Beckham and Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant that will be part of the NFC East schedule. He faces those two wideouts in Weeks Two and Three of the regular season and starts off with the Steelers and Antonio Brown, so there will be ample opportunities to provide immediate return on the investment the Redskins made last Friday.
