So far in Spartanburg, we’ve seen Carolina Panthers accessorize with novelty T-shirts and colorful book bags while riding around on the latest training camp fad.
But Josh Norman’s accessories have functionality. According to him, at least.“That’s my stick,” he said.
As a Panthers’ communication intern handed Norman the black walking stick he brought to camp, the cornerback proudly explained its purpose.
“You gotta be careful of the wildlife out here. I don’t want to get attacked or anything happen,” Norman said.
“It’s [my] contract year, so I don’t want anything to go wrong here. It’s to discourage them from coming up to me, and if anything does take place, we’ll get to whacking and add a little bit more to that raccoon tail.”
While Norman has defenses against whatever creatures may be wandering Wofford, his biggest hurdle may be Dave Gettleman’s convictions about how to best build a defense.
In his short time in charge of the Panthers’ roster, the general manager has pledged an affinity for defensive lineman while bargain shopping in the secondary. Just a couple weeks ago he told BBR, “If there’s no pass rush, there’s no shutdown corners. Plain and simple.”
And there’s another reason that makes Norman’s situation not so simple — a small sample size.
After finishing his first two seasons in the coaches’ doghouse and beginning 2014 on the bench, he finally broke out in the second half of last season.While the Panthers made their playoff push in December, Norman contained three of the league’s electrifying receivers. Against Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans and Cleveland’s Josh Gordon, plus two matchups with Atlanta’s Julio Jones, Norman allowed a total of 10 receptions for 116 yards.
He was confident before that. Now he can make a pretty good argument.
“Cornerbacks in this league are at a premium,” Norman said. “There’s only about 10 of us that can handle the guys like the Julio, the [Dez] Bryants, the Megatrons [Detroit’s Calvin Johnson].
“We’re a rare breed and have to be the most athletic on the field at all times because stopping those guys running at you 4.3 plus, whew. It’s a hard job, but somebody got to do it.”
It’s understandable if the Panthers want to see more before buying Norman’s claim that he’s among the elite. If they don’t make him a suitable offer and he disappoints in 2015, they’d have dodged an unwise commitment. But if he shines, the price goes up.
“I’ve bet on myself my whole life, ever since I was a little boy,” Norman said. “I know who I am. I’m Josh Norman. I’m not a no-name, I know who I am, and I know what I’ve done. I know where I’ve come from.”
Where Norman comes from makes his desire to stay with his current team less clichéd than most. A native of Greenwood, SC, the Coastal Carolina product has been with the Panthers since 2012.
“I want to be in Carolina. I’ve been here all my life, from high school to college,” Norman said. “Why would I want to go anywhere else and change that? I’ve been here 27 years in Carolina. It’s been amazing.”
The answer to how many more years he’ll stay in the Carolinas isn’t as obvious as some would like. For now, it seems a signed contract is the only way to stop the questions, even for a guy armed with a walking stick and raccoon’s tail.
“It’s something that’s going to be lingering, and I know you guys will continue to talk about it,” Norman said.“I think it’ll get done when it gets done and whenever [Gettleman] feels that it’s appropriate, then he’ll take the proper and necessary steps to get it done.”