Bucs “Have To Get” Josh Norman
April 21st, 2016
Since getting hired earlier this year to coach quarterbacks at the University of South Florida, popular national radio and television personality and former Bucs quarterback Shaun King has been pretty quiet on Twitter.
Well, the shockwave that blasted through NFL circles yesterday, when the Stinking Panthers pulled their franchise-tag contract offer off the table to All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman and set him immediately loose as an unrestricted free agent, awakened King. One of but three quarterbacks to lead the Bucs to the NFC title game, King ended his Twitter slumber.
In no uncertain terms, King said signing Norman is a must for the Bucs.
@realshaunking: Bucs have to get josh norman, right…
Boy, it sure would be nice.
Not only does signing Norman take away a major cog from the Stinking Panthers, it’s two games a year you don’t have to worry about Mike Evans losing his head and two games a year America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, doesn’t have to worry about being hassled. It’s also a major coup for a rebuilding defense.
Go ahead and draft Vernon Hargreaves at No. 9, but there is zero guarantee he develops into the corner that Norman is.
Go ahead and cross your fingers Johnthan Banks and Alterraun Verner can be rehabilitated from the PTSD they suffered under Coach My Scheme, but there is no such rehab needed for Norman.
April 21st, 2016 at 5:52 am
I wonder about the relationship he has with the Panthers now. They pretty much treated him like sht. I wonder if he would take minor discount to be able to stick to them twice a year.
April 21st, 2016 at 6:02 am
Sign
• Josh Norman
Draft
• Cyrus Jones
• Rashard Robinson
Trade
• Johnthan Banks
Projection
LCB Brent Grimes | Josh Robinson |
RCB Josh Norman | Jude Adjei-Barimah | Rashard Robinson
SCB Alterraun Verner |Cyrus Jones
April 21st, 2016 at 6:04 am
It would be a MAJOR coup for Mike Smith and the Bucs to land a top notch DB like Norman! We could cut Verner to save a few dollars and pair Norman with Grimes and Banks for a very solid secondary. Then we add the best pass rusher available at #9…or even trade down a bit for more depth. Then add a shifty slot receiver like Miller or Shepard in round 2, and focus on O-line depth in rounds 3 and 4. This could be the formula to catapult Tampa into a playoff spot! Of course Norman will have MANY suitors and will likely command $14 million a year or more in a long term contract….but we have the cap space and Florida is always popular with high dollar athletes because of taxes! I was against spending all that money on Revis….but Norman is a much better fit for our scheme and not coming of a major injury, so I hope Jameis, GMC and LVD are already calling and texting Josh Norman to do a little recruiting!
April 21st, 2016 at 6:28 am
No to Josh Norman.
High price and only one “good” year. If you consider it good, which it wasn’t.
Compare his stats this past year (his best) to Banks stats 2 years ago (his best). You may be surprised.
He is the True example of One Year Wonder.
April 21st, 2016 at 6:40 am
What are you guys smoking. Do you not watch football other than the bucs. Josh Norman can seriously ball. Best db last year and 28 yrs old is nice too. Cap is gonna keep pushing up players salaries higher and higher. Ao get him for a few years ( before Jameis gets big deal)Also, he is a premadonna and would love to stick it to Carolina twice a year if we showed interest. Problem is San Fran and jags can pay him more.
April 21st, 2016 at 6:53 am
Norman in practice would make Evans better
April 21st, 2016 at 6:59 am
Cutting Verner would save the Bucs $4.75 million and put us at $20 million under the cap. Plenty of room to sign Norman AND still enough space for rookies!
April 21st, 2016 at 7:21 am
Getting him would make the draft a WHOLE lot more interesting for the Bucs… could even trade slightly down. Rankins 1st?, Vonn Bell 2nd?, Braxton Miller WR?/FSU kicker later in rounds?
April 21st, 2016 at 8:01 am
One year wonder looking for a big paycheck…no thanks
April 21st, 2016 at 8:03 am
I think he would love to hang around the NFC south and stick it to the panthers twice a year. I don’t know if Licht will be willing to hand him 16 a year tho. Maybe he will lower his asking price, doubt it tho.
Either way u know Jameis just took a sigh of relief when he heard the news. I think all the south QB’s did.
April 21st, 2016 at 8:10 am
I am so glad to see there are people here that are not buying into signing Norman. It redeems my faith in Bucs fans.
The simple fact that Shaun King wants him in Tampa should be red flag enough, but there are other reasons.
April 21st, 2016 at 8:15 am
(if cap room is no issue…) Norman or Hargreaves @#9? Norman AND trade down for Rankins@#? and extra picks vs. Hargreaves and 0… Hmmm…
April 21st, 2016 at 8:18 am
@Bonzai- It really depends on the price-tag. There’s no arguing that he’s a talent but that being said, he’s no Revis either.
If the price is right, make the move.
April 21st, 2016 at 8:22 am
@LUV- It really kind of surprises me that Cyrus Jones isn’t on people’s radar. That kid can play! Oh, and remember that thing where a guy stands back when a kick-off happens?! Yeah, he’s a wicked return guy!
Maybe not at #9, but he’s a no-brainer to me.
April 21st, 2016 at 8:38 am
Yeah, 16 mil is way too high and I’m not sure that kind of number and that kind of personality would be good for this locker room. Our CB situation isn’t as bad a we like to think it is. No thanks to a diva corner that the conference champs didn’t want.
April 21st, 2016 at 8:57 am
Shawn Kings tweet looks like sarcasm to me, right…..
April 21st, 2016 at 8:59 am
Norman had ONE GOOD YEAR AT THE AGE OF 29. He is also a system CB who thrived in a cover two always having help over the top. And depending on who you listen to, he’s ranked anywhere from 10th best to 15th best in the league AT BEST.
I don’t care what Shaun King has to say. This guy isn’t worth more than $9 mil a year on a long term deal under any circumstances. Yet he’s asking for DOUBLE that amount.
Do you really believe Licht is stupid enough to drop Revis money on a guy who’s one year away from hitting 30, had ONE GREAT SEASON in his career, and who’s a cancer that causes his team huge headaches if he feels like he even deserves a dollar more?
Please. This is why I hate the free agency season. Fans scream and get their panties all bunched up over every single recognizable name that comes available. I’m glad Licht and company are running the show, because while they’ll be interested in Norman THEY WON’T BE INTERESTED IF THE PRICE ISN’T RIGHT.
April 21st, 2016 at 8:59 am
@Steve and Bonzai and others not moved by a Norman signing
The simple fact that Shaun King wants him in Tampa should be red flag enough, but there are other reasons.
Perhaps you could include the fact that he tried to injure his team’s #1 star QB and got into a fight?
And so are we sure #3 can kick his arse? Are we going to be thrilled with this deal if there is an altercation and #3 gets his jaw broken…see Geno Smith.
Past performance is always the BEST indicator of future performance. People CAN change but it’s actually fairly rare. Norman is a bad seed, with a big mouth, and real potential to destroy the incredible chemistry we have going on right now.
Norman…thanks but I’ll pass…
April 21st, 2016 at 9:01 am
BTW The people I wish would post on this thread will obviously not be participating.
I want to know what #3 thinks about the deal? Brent Grimes? Mike Smith?
and of course Koetter and Licht.
April 21st, 2016 at 9:08 am
FLBoyInDallas Says:
April 21st, 2016 at 8:59 am
Norman had ONE GOOD YEAR AT THE AGE OF 29. He is also a system CB who thrived in a cover two always having help over the top. And depending on who you listen to, he’s ranked anywhere from 10th best to 15th best in the league AT BEST.
……………………………………………….
AMEN!
Every rational Panthers fan will tell you the SAME thing. Some of you guys crack me up with your desperation. Norman is a cancer. WHY did Carolina not pay him????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Cause they aren’t Stupid!!!!!
This is all COMPLETELY inaccurate, including Norman’s age..–Joe
April 21st, 2016 at 9:09 am
What is going on?
April 21st, 2016 at 9:13 am
FLBoyInDallas Says:
April 21st, 2016 at 8:59 am
Norman had ONE GOOD YEAR AT THE AGE OF 29. He is also a system CB who thrived in a cover two always having help over the top. And depending on who you listen to, he’s ranked anywhere from 10th best to 15th best in the league AT BEST.
………..
Amen!!!!
Every rational Panthers fan will tell you the same thing. WHY didn’t Carolina pay him???? Cause he isn’t worth it guys.
April 21st, 2016 at 9:17 am
Who are these “tools” calling him a one year wonder or overrated?! Go look at his advanced stats: “Norman was thrown at only 58 times a year ago, but he allowed just 27 catches (46.6%). That catch rate was bettered only by Vontae Davis among starters. It was better than Richard Sherman, better than Chris Harris Jr., better than Darrelle Revis, better by more than 10 percent than Desmond Trufant, Stephon Gilmore or Patrick Peterson.”
You have the ability to get a guy in his absolute prime at 28, at a premium position (one your team needs btw), and arguably the top 1 or 2 at his position, zero legal or off field issues, and the chance to hurt a division rival. How dense do you have to be to literally argue against getting this guy? Whether to the Bucs can get him is one thing, but the fact that there are some “fans” on here arguing NOT to get him is mind-boggling.
April 21st, 2016 at 9:21 am
locker room cancer? that is the question about this dude…
April 21st, 2016 at 9:30 am
The Locker room “cancer” is a total fabrication from fans who only see Norman talking on the field and assume he’s a bad teammate. The guy is beloved by his fellow defensive players, their coach, and their franchise QB. Don’t conflate the fact he actually has a personality with being a bad teammate. The dude isn’t out partying or getting in trouble off the field. People want to mention the training camp fight (something that happens to every team) but neglect to mention it was Cam who was the one who instigated it because Norman kept intercepting him and he wanted to fire up his offense. We don’t have enough personality on defense; Warren Sapp was a WAY bigger off field distraction along with being a tremendous bleep talker on the field and no one would say he hurt the Bucs legendary defenses.
The guy is a Norman is a football savant who is great at what he does, along with being a good teammate. Go read his actual story where he was sleeping in car at Coastal Carolina trying to get better in the offseason before insinuating this guy is just looking for a pay day. I can’t stand people who have such strong opinion about the guy because the only exposure they’ve seen about him is on Sportscenter or when the Bucs play him twice a year.
April 21st, 2016 at 9:31 am
Matthew
and arguably the top 1 or 2 at his position, zero legal or off field issues,
Boy you would get a TON of arguments on the first part. He’s a good not a great DB who benefited greatly as has been pointed out from the best front seven in the NFL and one of the best D coaches in the league in Rivera.
Technically on the second point you’re right. Norman’s issues were not legal or off the field. They were on the field during practice when he tried to hurt the teams star player!!!
And so if Norman goes after #3 and heaven forbid does a Geno Smith to him what are going to think then?
April 21st, 2016 at 9:31 am
@Matthew………Do you communicate with Panthers fans on a Daily basis??
I do and they all to the man say Good Riddance at the money he wants. Yet to a losing fanbase he is superman. Smh
April 21st, 2016 at 9:42 am
Half my family lives in Raleigh, NC and are die-hard Panthers supporters and they’d beg to differ with your “fans”. It’s also tough to be a “losing fanbase” when one franchise has a championship and the other does not but I digress. Norman’s on field personality rubs uptight southern people the wrong way; simply because he’s brash and talks trash which some people don’t want in their “games & entertainment”. I could frankly careless about the trash talk, it’s a sport & entertainment, the guy is a good guy off the field, ALL his teammates speak highly of him, and oh by the way he ranked in the top tier of all CB’s in the league which is what we should be judging him on since it’s a football team.
The money he wants is exactly what he is owed for being Top 2 at his position, I laugh at people so worried about how much of a billionaires money is going to millionaires. The Bucs have the cap space, it will go unused this year or to scrub veteran minimum contracts or it can go to a player who immediately makes your team better and your biggest rival worse.
If anyone wants to bring some stats to the argument or show what we can do with our cap room that will make us better than acquiring Norman; I’m all ears but this cliché gibberish of “locker room cancer or my friend’s dad’s brother who likes Carolina says he doesn’t like Norman” is just nonsense.
April 21st, 2016 at 9:46 am
make it happen…grab josh norman…GO BUCS!!!!
April 21st, 2016 at 9:56 am
Also zero garantee that Norman has another all-pro year. Call me crazy but I’ll take Hargreaves all day
April 21st, 2016 at 10:05 am
if we wouldn’t pay Revis the big bucks after trading a f’n 1st round pick for him! …then why pay for the same bucks for this guy? …I’m comfortable with Grimes, Banks, Verner and a high draft pick for this season…Don’t need him…
April 21st, 2016 at 10:29 am
bucs didnt pay revis because he didnt fit lovies system and that is the only reason the bucs didnt sign him, same reason lovie got rid of goldson and foster, sign norman, then draft stanley or trade for picks and trade down and get Nkimdeche…
April 21st, 2016 at 10:49 am
We have such a strange fanbase! On one hand, we’re clamoring for Greg Hardy because he’s got “nasty”. On the other, with a better player I might add, we’ll turn away Norman because he and his QB got into a dust-up.
I don’t get it! The guy’s a good player. What’s wrong with kicking the tires?
April 21st, 2016 at 11:14 am
After sleeping on it, I think I’d rather use the money on Mo. All things considered what makes the most sense to me is building the front 7 and getting help at safety and WR.
April 21st, 2016 at 11:53 am
Heard Jameis was going to be a locker room cancer too.
It’s called swagger Buc fans. I know you forgot what it looks like so.
Just think Jameis, Sapp, Josh Norman. It’s called swag.
April 21st, 2016 at 12:08 pm
Ha! #swag=thugunlessitsJJWatt
April 21st, 2016 at 12:19 pm
I read that tweet as being sarcastic. I dont think Shaun King wants Josh Norman. I’m on the fence with this one.
For one thing I typically think Shaun King is crazy and you should do the opposite of what he says. Think he is only around the media because his views are opposing and in the minority.
But if we do sign Josh our position of needs go: DE, S, WR, that would free us up to double dip on DE or even triple up. One less position to worry about.
Other hand, we would be overpaying for a CB who has proven some, but not much and is limited to scheme.
In the end I think Licht looks to Mike Smith and if Mike is banging the drum for Josh, they would get him.
April 21st, 2016 at 12:19 pm
Tom Brady = swagger
April 21st, 2016 at 12:29 pm
Then again those that hated Sapp and still hate Sapp are probably the same ones that don’t want a guy like Norman.
They want a GMC.
Shut up and suck.
April 21st, 2016 at 3:17 pm
@1987- Any Buc “fan” that hated Sapp has no say in my mind. Find me a Buc fan who hated Sapp!!!
April 21st, 2016 at 4:20 pm
That theory is out the window, I love Sapp then and now. Norman, not really.
April 21st, 2016 at 5:19 pm
“Have to get” Josh Norman? Uuuhhh, no. If Licht wants him, and they think he won’t be a lockerroom turd, and they can pay him a reasonable amount of money, sure. But, if you’re talking about a bidding war for a guy who’s gonna be a me-first jackass, then no, h3ll no.
April 21st, 2016 at 5:58 pm
Bucsfanman…LOTS of them are regs here.
Wait until the next Sapp article.
I know I don’t get it either seeing how he’s my favorite of all time.
April 21st, 2016 at 6:33 pm
Pass on Norman unless you can get him for a very good price. And he’s demanding bank. We are better off sticking to the draft for better pickings.