The contract suggests he should be the best cornerback in the NFL, however, Josh Norman’s play has not backed up that standing. But, Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden says that doesn’t mean the seven-year veteran corner should be ditched.nfl jerseys from china free shipping
Norman will have a $14.5 million salary-cap hit, fifth highest among players at his position this season. For the previous two years, he had the highest number.
“To say he’s performed as the best cornerback in nfl wholesale jerseys free shipping the National Football League would be far-fetched,” Gruden said. “But I will say this: I’m glad we got him. I think not having Josh Norman, our team would be not quite as competitive as we have been with Josh Norman. Moving forward having Josh Norman on this roster is going to help us get where we want to go.”
Norman, 31, represents the sometimes internal conflict of a team: With such a high cap figure, there’s little doubt some would want to part ways. There’s a feeling that while Norman is good, the space could be better occupied.nfl jersey free shipping
But with a coaching staff in a situation where it must win now after consecutive 7-9 seasons, they don’t care about the cap hit — they want the player.
If the Redskins ever did part with Norman, they would need a starting cornerback. They signed Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie this month, but he has no guaranteed money and therefore is an insurance policy. They do have several young corners such as nfl jerseys free shipping Adonis Alexander who, if they developed him, could challenge for a starting job. But there’s no way to know at this point whether they will.
Norman clearly was irritated at times throughout last season, whether by the chemistry in the secondary or by how he was being used. The Redskins changed secondary coaches, allowing Torrian Gray to leave and replacing him with Ray Horton. The Redskins wanted someone with more NFL experience to help coordinator wholesale nfl jerseys free shipping Greg Manusky with the pass defense. Manusky’s strength is the front seven.discount nfl jerseys free shipping
Gruden said Norman will “fit in fine” with Horton and any defensive changes, whether in technique or how he’s deployed. The Redskins have tinkered with Norman’s role during his three seasons, using him more in man coverage than anticipated. Sometimes he travels with the best receiver; other times he doesn’t.
Gruden said Norman’s physical style and competitiveness always help.cheap nfl jerseys authentic
“Josh is at his best when he’s challenged,” Gruden said. “You see him step up when he gets matched with Odell [Beckham Jr.] and he gets to run around the field. Ray Horton … [will] push him and challenge him every day and it’ll be fun to watch these guys go at it. He’s a productive guy that’s a sure tackler. Physical. Fits in that mold that we’re trying to get. I still think he’s gonna help us in a big way.”
Norman said last season “I’ve been Hollywood” since coming out of the womb. He was on Dancing With the Stars last year, flying from offseason workouts to Los Angeles for tapings and rehearsals. And then flying back. He’s devoted to off-field causes in the offseason — whether it’s helping at the U.S./Mexican border last year or assisting with the water issues in Flint, Michigan this year. Norman said at season’s end, he would retire if he won a Super Bowl.authentic nfl jerseys wholesale
“From interceptions and all that maybe you can say no, but I think there’s probably been a level of play that you would expect more to see from Josh,” Gruden said. “But given the opportunities that he’s had, I think he’s done a pretty good job.authentic nfl jerseys for cheap
“It’s hard to see superstar play sometimes from corners because offenses may throw away from them. Patrick Peterson, you’ll see him some games and only have one tackle and no pass break ups and you’ll say ‘well Patrick didn’t even play.’ Well they didn’t even throw his way. … We just hope that when those plays present themselves that [Norman] will make those plays in the future. So it’s really tough to judge Josh’s play because he doesn’t get a lot of opportunities.”nfl jersey china
The Redskins could use stronger play from the secondary. It would help to have a healthy Quinton Dunbar at the other corner; it would help to have far more consistent safety play with the arrival of Landon Collins; it would help to have a fierce pass rush. But Norman also has to do his part.
“People seem to be disappointed in his play,” Gruden said. “I’m not disappointed at all. Josh is a good football player and does some great things for us.
“Now we’re looking for more from Josh and he’s gonna give us more because we’re gonna demand more. We’re looking for superstar status at corner from Josh.”
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PHOENIX — The Washington Redskins need to find their quarterback of the future. Coach Jay Gruden most likely needs to win now. Those two sentences could lead to conflicting desires when it comes to the NFL draft next month. That is, if the Redskins view the situation the same way.
With Alex Smith’s future still uncertain and with no healthy quarterback signed beyond this season, the Redskins need to find a young quarterback. With the 15th pick in the draft, they’re likely in position to land one of the top four in the draft. The problem: If they feel the quarterback must sit for a year to develop, that pick won’t help them now.
After three straight non-playoff seasons, the Redskins’ coaching staff likely can’t afford a fourth.
2019 NFL DRAFT
When: April 25-27
Where: Nashville, Tennessee
How to watch: ABC/ESPN/ESPN App
• Complete draft order: Picks 1-254 »
• Kiper’s Mock Draft 3.0 » | Big Board »
• McShay’s Mock Draft 3.0: Updated picks »
• Pro days: Murray » | Haskins » | Lock »
• Answering 10 intriguing draft questions »
• More NFL draft coverage »
“I never, ever prepare myself like I’m going to get fired after a year,” Gruden said. “I’ll prepare myself like I’m going to be here for the long haul and whatever makes this team better right now and in the future. There’s a fine line with that first pick. You want that first pick to be a guy that can come in and have an impact on your team Year 1.”
The Redskins do have Colt McCoy and Case Keenum. If they wanted to groom a rookie quarterback, they could do so without needing him to play immediately. But with so many other needs — pass-rusher, receiver, interior offensive line, safety — the Redskins know if they take one in the first round, they need quick production.
“It would be hard,” Gruden said of having a first-round quarterback sit.
The Redskins could also explore a trade for Josh Rosen if he becomes available. Gruden watched his college film last year and liked him coming out of the draft, as did others in the organization. But more work would remain for them to understand his rookie season in Arizona.
For now, the best option remains the draft, and that means a group that includes two players who only started for one year (Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins) and two others who showed flashes but weren’t overwhelming (Drew Lock and Daniel Jones). Gruden also mentioned Will Grier. The Redskins like aspects of all these quarterbacks — and have questions on each as well.
“You would like a guy to play more than a year to see how he’s developed,” Gruden said. “Haskins has a unique skill set. He’s big, strong and can really throw it. Is he going to be ready for the first year? Ideally a couple of these guys you’d like to have them sit a year maybe to get them in your system, learn to get to know your guys and play — especially those guys who only played one year. But Kyler has such a unique skill set with his 4.3 [speed], his ability to get outside the pocket. If he’s a scheme fit for whoever takes him, he can play Year 1 if they utilize the skills he has.”
Gruden helped develop Andy Dalton, a second-round pick in 2011, in Cincinnati. But Dalton had the luxury of entering as the starting quarterback.
“We knew he was the No. 1 guy,” Gruden said. “So we gave him every rep from the day he got in the building … If you have a No. 1 guy and you draft a guy and he’s in competition with one or two other guys, then it becomes harder for him to develop and see where he’s at. I never like to have two-man competitions and I really don’t want to have a three-man competition. That’s really hard, just because the reps are so few and far between for these guys. But if it’s something we have to do, then we have to do it.”
Duke quarterback Daniel Jones is a potential first-round pick. Grant Halverson/Getty Images
The Redskins hope they’re in strong position to develop a quarterback if necessary, considering the experience they have at that position. They have five key members of the organization who played the position and four who did so in the NFL. Gruden played it at the University of Louisville and in the Arena Football League. The other four, who played in the NFL: senior vice president of player personnel Doug Williams (nine seasons); offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell (parts of four); quarterbacks coach Tim Rattay (eight); and senior offensive assistant Matt Cavanaugh (13).
Gruden said Norman’s physical style and competitiveness always help.
