Norman brushes off rival’s trash talk
Skins CB amused by Beckham’s chatter
RICHMOND, Va. — Now that they’re in the same division, Josh Norman and Odell Beckham Jr. can start talking trash again.
After Beckham told GQ Magazine that his catch made the new Washington Redskins cornerback “relevant,” Norman responded to the New York Giants receiver Friday with some amusement. On the second day of Redskins camp, Norman chuckled at the mention of Beckham and his comments and brushed them off.
“I guess if a guy talks about you that much, you must be doing something right,” Norman said.
Beckham told GQ for its August edition that Norman joining the NFC East has brought more attention to their rivalry. They scuffled in Week 14 last year when Norman was with the Panthers, going at each other and scuffling during Carolina’s 38-35 victory against New York.
That game also included Beckham catching the tying touchdown pass against Norman and stepping over him a la Allen Iverson and Tyronn Lue in the 2001 NBA Finals. Beckham was suspended one game for his antics during the loss.
Norman, who signed a $75 million, five-year deal with Washington after being released by Carolina, puffed up his own value in response to Beckham. It also doesn’t hurt his case that the All-Pro cornerback has a 100 rating in the new Madden video game.
“It means nothing to me, obviously,” Norman said about Beckham’s swipe. “He’s talking about me but I’m not talking about him. … Why am I talking about you? For what? So I have nothing to say because now we are the hunted and not the hunter.”
Norman and Beckham will next see each other Sept. 25 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., and then again Jan. 1 at Fed Ex Field.
CHIEFS: Safety Eric Berry was not among the players who reported to training camp at Missouri Western on Friday, a decision largely expected after negotiations
on a long-term contract with Kansas City broke down.
Berry was designated the Chiefs’ franchise player but has not signed his contract, which means he cannot be disciplined for skipping camp.
DOLPHINS: Miami defensive end Dion Jordan’s suspension ended just as training camp began.
Jordan was reinstated by the NFL on a conditional basis after sitting out last season for his latest violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.
TITANS: Tennessee agreed to terms with seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson.
The Titans also added offensive lineman Ronald Patrick on Friday. Terms were not disclosed.
The 6-foot-3 Johnson has 1,053 catches for 14,100 yards and 68 touchdowns. He ranks eighth in NFL history with receptions and ninth in yards receiving, leading active players in those categories.
BILLS: An injury-plagued season and a brush with the law in February have led LeSean McCoy to focus on being a better player and leader entering his second year with Buffalo.
“I’ve got lots to prove this year, you know,” the Bills running back said Friday. “A lot of people are doubting me and doubting this team, this offense. So I’m big into answering a lot of doubts.”
BENGALS: Tyler Eifert pointed to a crescent-shaped scar surrounding the ball on his left ankle. That little spot is sidelining the Cincinnati tight end for training camp, and maybe more.
He had surgery in May to fix a partial ligament tear that he suffered during the Pro Bowl.