Panthers’ Josh Norman vs. Cowboys’ Dez Bryant - 5 targets, 1 reception, 6 yards

Norman in Coverage While Not Being Targeted

All four of these plays I’m going to show below represent Norman’s excellent man coverage abilities of Dez Bryant. This is no easy task and he does not allow any separation. Norman (#24) is at the bottom of your screen in all four plays.

Norman’s Lone Blemish on the Day

This was Norman’s only blemish on the day and the Cowboys failed to exploit it as Beasley was wide open on an out-n-up route. Why was Beasley so open? The Panthers are in Cover 4 and Norman abandons his zone responsibility in favor of Williams’ deep in-route. This is also called the dagger concept, which is broken down in our Beginner Series. This concept works to perfection, but Cassel fails to complete the pass with a little over a minute left in the game.

Dez Bryant’s Other Catch

Going back to Dez Bryant. He ended the game with two receptions on eight targets for 26 yards. In Play 2 on the previous page, I mentioned that if Bryant was in the slot Josh Norman did not cover him. The Panthers use linebacker #58 Thomas Davis in coverage on Bryant. This is an obvious mismatch as this was his other reception. Davis attempts to slow Bryant down, but Bryant is able to shed the grab by Davis and cut across the field for a 20 yard gain on a short crossing route.

Norman has steadily improved ever since being drafted in the 5th round out of Coastal Carolina. Back in 2012, he signed a four year - $2.3 million contract as a rookie and is an unrestricted free agent this off-season. I highly doubt the Carolina Panthers will allow him to test free agency. When he does sign a new contract this off-season, I expect it to be in the $12 million to $14 million range per season and he definitely deserves every penny with his ability to shut down opposing wide receivers.

Follow Samuel Gold on Twitter: @SamuelRGold.