In this, his breakout season, Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman launched himself into national conversations with his play and his mouth.

On Wednesday, Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders said the latter is the main reason for Norman's rise.

“He’s talked himself into the media,” Sanders quipped, four days before facing Norman and the Panthers in the Super Bowl.

When Carolina's top corner was asked to respond Thursday, he chuckled and said:

“Wow. I think you have to be pretty darn good at what you do to talk your way into this spotlight. I'm sure if you're not good, you're not recognized as one of the best. ... I haven't been hearing much about him, so he may want to go back and go practice some more.”

Because Sanders spends a good amount of time in the slot, it's unlikely he'll go head-to-head with Norman much on Sunday. Instead, the Panthers will probably put Norman on Denver's No. 1 wideout Demaryius Thomas.

But in what has been a rather bland build up to the Super Bowl, with players from each team consistently praising each other, Sanders vs. Norman has added some spice. But according to Norman, it's not enough to take him to his "dark place."

“You have to really get under my skin, and like I told you before, they're not really getting under my skin and pushing my buttons," he said. "It's way too early.

“We're going back and forth, well I'm not going back and forth, but him obviously saying something to me. ... It's just the buildup."