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Washington Redskins: Josh Norman Was Necessary Addition

By Russell S. Baxter

Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) stands on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. Panthers defeated the Falcons 38-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) stands on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. Panthers defeated the Falcons 38-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Things are never dull in the NFC East. And thanks to a high-priced defensive addition, the Washington Redskins may have put themselves in prime position to defend their title.

The numbers are disturbing, especially if you have played for or cheered for old D.C.

At first, we will just focus on this past season. Only four teams in the league allowed more total yards per game in 2015 than the Washington Redskins. Their struggles on defense were of almost equal value, per say. Jay Gruden’s club finished 26th in the NFL against the run and 25th vs. the pass.

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Washington defenders allowed 40 touchdowns this past year – 10 on the ground and 30 through the air. Over the past seasons combined, the Redskins have surrendered 125 scoring passes in 64 regular-season contests.

But suddenly there’s hope for the defending NFC East champions. After the Carolina Panthers opted to rescind the franchise tag from cornerback Josh Norman, the Washington Redskins decided to pounce on the suddenly-available free agent defensive back. Via ESPN’s Adam Schefter and his sources, the contract was for five years and $75 million. Schefter’s network colleague Ed Werder reported (via sources) that $51.1 million of the deal was guaranteed.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to the playoffs here,” said the 2015 All-Pro defender on CSN Mid-Atlantic’s “Redskins Nation” show. “You guys went last year (in reference to Washington). I’m looking forward to going even deeper into the playoffs and then the Super Bowl. That’s our motto, that’s here, that’s the goal. That’s the ultimate goal.

“I want to win the Super Bowl,” added Norman during the interview. “And I’m not going to stop until I get back there. Because I know I will one day and then make the wrong a right.”

The combination of Norman and incumbent cornerbacks Bashaud Breeland and Chris Culliver give Joe Barry’s unit a nice blend of youth an experience. The latter suffered a knee injury in November and missed the stretch run. John Keim of ESPN has the latest on what his immediate future looks like as he recovers. In any case, the addition of Norman gives defensive coordinator Joe Barry a lot more options than a year ago.

Dec 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) gets thrown to ground by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Dec 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) gets thrown to ground by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /

A reminder of what the four-year pro did for the eventual NFC champion Panthers in 2015: The 2012 fifth-round pick finished with 56 tackles and a team-high 18 passes defensed. He returned two of those picks for scores, forced three fumbles and all told, had six (4 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries) of Carolina’s league-best 39 takeaways this past season. Pro Football Focus ranked him the sixth-best cornerback in the NFL in 2015.

It is also a secondary that also added experience strong safety David Bruton from the Super Bowl 50 champion Denver Broncos this offseason, as well as free-agent cornerback Greg Toler (Colts).

Other new faces on the defense include defensive end Kendall Reyes (Chargers) and inside linebacker Terence Garvin (Steelers). Washington’s defensive backfield could use some help from a pass rush that produced only 38 sacks in 2015.

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Things just got more interesting in the NFC East with the addition of Norman, who is a big upgrade for the defending division champions. And now we’ll get to see the cornerback and 2015 nemesis Odell Beckham Jr. have at each other at least twice a season.

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