Redskins keeps Josh Norman on left side, but plans change for Dez Bryant

LANDOVER, Md. – The Washington Redskins gave cornerback Josh Norman a $75 million contract this offseason and seemed to have him stay put, at least at first.

During the first Dallas Cowboys offensive possession of Sunday’s Week 2 contest, Norman stayed and defended receivers only on the left side of the field once again.

Norman did cover Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant, but only when Bryant lined up on Norman’s side of the field. When Bryant motioned out to the opposite side, Norman remained on the left side.

On the 13-play series that resulted in a Dan Bailey 22-yard field goal, Norman covered Bryant only three times. Norman spent the majority of the series Cowboys receivers Terrance Williams and Brice Butler.

Norman did, however, have two big pass breakups on the series, once while covering Bryant, and the other on a crucial third down near the end zone.

But when the Cowboys lined up Bryant on the other side of the field, rookie quarterback Dak Prescott looked his way, especially on third down. Bryant caught two passes for 35 yards on four targets in the series.

On a fourth-and-1 in the second Dallas series, Washington played man-to-man coverage and Norman lined up on the right side of the field to follow Bryant. Prescott rolled out to the right, however, and found tight end Geoff Swaim wide open for 28 yards that set up an Ezekiel Elliott 2-yard touchdown rush. Norman also followed Bryant to right side of the field for last three plays of a second-quarter drive when the Cowboys entered the red zone.

Washington drew a heavy dose of criticism after a 38-16 Week 1 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers because of the way the team deployed Norman, parking him on the left side of the defense. That left third-year corner Bashaud Breeland to cover Steelers receiver Antonio Brown – one of the toughest covers in the entire NFL – mostly by himself.

Brown lit up the Redskin secondary, catching eight passes on 11 targets for 126 yards and two touchdowns.

Redskins defensive coordinator Joe Barry said last week that the team “felt comfortable” with its plan to defend Brown.

Norman emerged as a dynamic defender last season in an All-Pro showing as a member of the Carolina Panthers. Though Carolina played primarily zone coverages, the Panthers allowed Norman to travel to both sides of the field to match up with the opposition’s top receiving threat.

All offseason long, Norman was outspoken in several media opportunities, boasting about being a shutdown cornerback. He told ESPN the Magazine that he “is the best cornerback on Earth.”

Norman’s role against the Steelers, however, generated more discussion, as New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz and cornerback Janoris Jenkins criticized Norman for staying on the left side of the field.

Norman downplayed the reaction, saying he’s primarily focused on winning.

“When you're at the top of your profession, someone is always trying to grab at you just because they're not at the top of your profession,” Norman told reporters this week. “You just have to extend down your arm and hand them an olive branch.”

Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.

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