why was josh norman benched today

[CRA]

Even IF the coaches require Norman to give a 15 yard cushion he shouldn't be on the field and obviously sucks. Can anyone tell me if Dockery played that far off?

well RR has commented several times that Norman hasn't played many of those "soft" looks well....

there is a reason why in those "soft" looks....Norman is the only one routinely picked on despite another young scrub opposite him.

[Oldschool Leroy]

Nakamura wasn't benched why, then?

There definitely seems to be a double standard with this coaching staff.

[brandon_87]

Dockery was actually very good. Josh thomas was solid, Captain is cap. D.J. impressed me the most, tackling Gonzo in the open field like that and getting him out of bounds is not easy. Gonzo knows how to make you miss.

that, and Jones seemed to be around the ball almost every single play

[Carolina_Champ]

There definitely seems to be a double standard with this coaching staff.

Nakamura was benched though. In the second half it was all Jones.

As far as Norman, I haven't been as high on high as others. Not only is he giving up so much cushion at the line, every pass attempt in his direction is completed because he's never in a position to break up a pass or get contact quick enough to knock the ball out. If the problem is really schematic, why does Thomas look so much better in coverage?

[KillerKat]

Nakamura was benched though. In the second half it was all Jones.

As far as Norman, I haven't been as high on high as others. Not only is he giving up so much cushion at the line, every pass attempt in his direction is completed because he's never in a position to break up a pass or get contact quick enough to knock the ball out. If the problem is really schematic, why does Thomas look so much better in coverage?

Naka wasn't benched. He was hurt.

[Cj72]

Fwiw I did hear Norman in the radio earlier this year and when asked about the differences between college and the pros he said he was having to learn to play off of the receiver. Something about making the receiver commit to his route withing 5 yards.

[Oldschool Leroy]

Nakamura was benched though. In the second half it was all Jones.

As far as Norman, I haven't been as high on high as others. Not only is he giving up so much cushion at the line, every pass attempt in his direction is completed because he's never in a position to break up a pass or get contact quick enough to knock the ball out. If the problem is really schematic, why does Thomas look so much better in coverage?

You ask a valid question and Thomas may just be better. My post related strictly to Naka. It is monday and I did not make myself clear; my fault.

[ItsPantone278]

As hopeful as I am about Norman, inflated tackle numbers and some poo talking is about the bulk of what he's shown. This ball hawking shutdown potential corner that we heard about in training camp didn't show up for the season. He reminded everyone that rookies of his caliber rarely get it going in their first season.

I still believe he can be a player, but Rivera "seeing what else we have" is very telling. If I'm Josh Norman I am doing what ever I can to get back on the field.

As far as this cushion discussion is concerned, cushion isn't just where the player lines up pre snap, its also how deep the player plays the coverage. Norman plays to far off of his man before the snap and after. I agree with those that believe this has to be a major part of his benching.

[Shufdog]

Nakamura wasn't benched why, then?

I know Nakamura gets a bad rap on here, and most of it is justified, but one thing I like about him is that he will flat out knock the dogshit out of some people! He's not afraid of contact, maybe that's why Rivera starts him.

[Swaggasaurus]

Nakamura was benched though. In the second half it was all Jones.

As far as Norman, I haven't been as high on high as others. Not only is he giving up so much cushion at the line, every pass attempt in his direction is completed because he's never in a position to break up a pass or get contact quick enough to knock the ball out. If the problem is really schematic, why does Thomas look so much better in coverage?

Thomas looks good because he is all over motherfugers and does not allow clean releases.

[Swaggasaurus]

I know Nakamura gets a bad rap on here, and most of it is justified, but one thing I like about him is that he will flat out knock the dogshit out of some people! He's not afraid of contact, maybe that's why Rivera starts him.

He is better than his rep around here. He is a victim of the huddle pack mentality, the same pack that defends "The JAG". Too scared to form their own opinions.

[Carl Spackler]

Norman is a good player. I bet Rivera would have benched Gamble in 2004 if he had the chance.