Josh Norman in the doghouse

[PanthersAlv]

Last I read, RR said he was using this time as an evaluation tool for the younger guys on the team. I think they see that Norman has the tools... and will be good. but who is on the roster that can be 'salvaged' that's young and has potential?

But I do agree that over the season, RR has benched people and there has not been a clear reason why. Like Gettis. He came back, he was in Practice. Hell he was on the field this past weekend. But, wasn't he back 3 weeks ago... ready to go? Active, and then sat down.

I dunno what to think at the moment. But here's hope'n we find some young guys that can help in the future of this team with the new regime that should.most likely will start come this off season

[Thorrez]

I don't think people are so mad about Norman's benching as they are the hypocrisy of some of RR benching decision. Adams get the dog house for 1 bad game but Naka plays until he gets hurt after having a few bad games. Martin has to kill himself to get playing time for making the same mistakes (last year) that Naka was making this year. Armanti has made 2 catches this season and done nothing on special teams. Gettis (who still has more catches even thoe he has missed almost 2 years) can't get a sniff of playing time.

I know RR says he wants to look at young players. But isn't Gettis young? When is he going to look at him?

There is no need to validate if Gettis is the real deal. He has already proven he is when 100% healthy and in playing form, so the "play young guys" does not apply to him. So either he sites because RR and the rest of the staff think he is not 100% yet or he site because RR want him to suffer. I go with the first option...

The difference between Naka and Martin is that he does what he is suppose to do, just not well enough becuase he lacks the ability (to slow), kind of like getting a 90% performance every play. Martin is 100% when in the right place but you have to count on him totally missing his assignment 1-2 times a game (with potential very long gains/TD as a result). Naka is not going to get faster because he is benched, but Martin might take it as a motivator to learn the playbook.

i am generally not a big fan of this "benching to improve", I just saying that is the most likely logic behind the decisions. And even though I agree Adams should miss one game after his 2 fumbles I do not see why it had to be so many.

[CRA]

Exactly, Nakamura should have been cut a long time ago. Yet he benches the better corner we have. Sorry, captain is #2. Norman was playing well.

Norman was simply letting guys catch the ball....and then tackling them. Repeating that over and over. He wasn't showing progress or adjustment....and was clearly being outplayed by Josh Thomas.

By mid season, Norman was too big of a liability once teams figured out the routes he simply couldn't stop.....and Rivera got tired of it.

[MadHatter]

Norman had a completion % over 75 the last four games highest by far on the team and one of the highest in the NFL.

we will have none of that....stats and examples are not allowed in the Huddle.

[MadHatter]

Norman was simply letting guys catch the ball....and then tackling them. Repeating that over and over. He wasn't showing progress or adjustment....and was clearly being outplayed by Josh Thomas.

By mid season, Norman was too big of a liability once teams figured out the routes he simply couldn't stop.....and Rivera got tired of it.

^^^this 100%.

[Rubi]

How the hell is a 5th round DB, that's playing at a level comparable (better than some) to all the top drafted CBs, disapointing!? Damn near EVERY rookie CB in NFL history has struggled, their first season.

I thought he's been pretty decent for a 5th round rookie. He may play soft and give up yards..but look at the names he's covered. He's a solid tackler and he's not afraid to support our run defense. He's made plays near the line of scrimmage which is encouraging. His cover skills will improve with time

[Who Said What?]

My thing is if he was benched because he was given his man too much cushion, that should be Rivera's fault because I doubt Norman is voluntarily giving his guy cushion if the play calls for man to man coverage. If Rivera wants Norman to play tight coverage, let him. I don't understand benching him. With that said, it could be Norman wasn't putting in the work at practice. In that case, I understand why he's in the doghouse.

I said this in another thread and I am glad others have enough knowledge of team sports to understand that you do what the coaches tell you. This is especially true with a first year player. He did well when allowed to play tight coverage. Isn't he the youth that we are supposed to be evaluating? Get this staff outta here!

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

It is clear..no matter how someone plays good or bad...60% of the Huddle has no clue how to interpret it unless it gives them pie or rep.

[CRA]

yes, Norman is asked to play some zone schemes.....that doesn't mean he is being asked to give a cushion and be abused all game. Rivera clearly has tried to coach him out of giving up plays (which is why he always comments about it not being a coverage play call issue as it is Norman not playing it correctly).......and if it was purely CBs being asked to play soft then Josh Thomas would be playing soft and abused all game.

[CPF4LIFE]

Josh Thomas has been solid since given more reps. Has rarely given up any catches, I think i read he started against the falcons and was blanketing receivers the entire game. Underrated big time. He has been the best CB on the team.

[panthers55]

Norman is not playing soft because he is told to, he is playing soft because he doesn't have confidence he can cover the man if he plays tighter or he is being fooled by receivers who break off routes in front of him. And he is not being benched by Rivera for no reason. every play is being reviewed every week and graded. If he is moving down the rotation it is because he is not grading out as highly as other guys.

So is the pass defense getting better or worse? And if Norman is getting less starting time in an attempt to improve, what does that say????

[Sloth]

Yeah, not to pile on but here's a rundown of Norman's technique:

1. Play way off the line
   
2. Receiver makes catch because he (Norman) is 8 yards away
   
3. Tackle receiver
   

IMO he plays the run pretty well and is a good tackler. He's a late round, small school rookie who needs some time/conditioning/coaching.

J Thomas has played much better but doesn't get as much credit because he's not a draft pick, wasn't proclaimed to be "the steal of the draft" after a slide and doesn't yell and spit as much.

[koolkatluke]

There is no need to validate if Gettis is the real deal. He has already proven he is when 100% healthy and in playing form, so the "play young guys" does not apply to him. So either he sites because RR and the rest of the staff think he is not 100% yet or he site because RR want him to suffer. I go with the first option...

The difference between Naka and Martin is that he does what he is suppose to do, just not well enough becuase he lacks the ability (to slow), kind of like getting a 90% performance every play. Martin is 100% when in the right place but you have to count on him totally missing his assignment 1-2 times a game (with potential very long gains/TD as a result). Naka is not going to get faster because he is benched, but Martin might take it as a motivator to learn the playbook.

i am generally not a big fan of this "benching to improve", I just saying that is the most likely logic behind the decisions. And even though I agree Adams should miss one game after his 2 fumbles I do not see why it had to be so many.

Does what he is suppose to do?

Like let WR behind him?

And miss tackles?

Dude I saw more f'ing up from Naka (with a better front 7 in front of him) then Martin last year.