Panthers CB Josh Norman: Jon Gruden wrong in saying no one has locked down Julio Jones

Former Super Bowl winning coach turned ESPN analyst Jon Gruden is known for watching extensive film of NFL teams.

Panthers cornerback Josh Norman suggested Thursday Gruden may need to watch some more.

Gruden said in the first quarter of Monday night’s Atlanta win against Philadelphia that Falcons receiver Julio Jones hasn’t been locked down by a defensive back in recent years.

Norman disagrees.

Jones, possibly the NFL’s best receiver this year, had 10 catches for 107 yards and no touchdowns in his two meetings against the Panthers last year, and Norman was covering Jones most of the time.

“Yeah, I’ve been seeing that,” Norman said of Gruden’s comments. “And that goes to show you how much he watches film, or how much he pays attention to what goes on to the people he watches in the NFL. That’s all I got to say about that.”

Last year Jones averaged 99.5 receiving yards per game for the Falcons and barely got to that total in two games against Norman and the Panthers.

“Maxwell is going to be asked to do some star coverage – that means you go cover the other team’s star,” said Gruden, known to occasionally fall victim to hyperbole. “Tonight it’s Julio Jones, and I haven’t seen anybody cover Julio Jones in the last couple of years.”

Norman’s 2014 play against Jones has been something the fourth-year cornerback has worn as a badge of honor. Conversely, Eagles cornerback Byron Maxwell—who signed a six-year, $63 million contract this offseason – was on Jones for most of Monday night when Jones caught nine passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

“Both of them are great players. Both of them are really good players. But I just know Julio,” Norman said. “It’s kind of what he does and how he brings things to the table, it’s much different than most any other wide receiver. When you’re a (defensive back), you can’t play him like you play other wide receivers. You give him leashes like that, he’s going to do that 99.9 percent of the time. I knew it was going to be a long day for (Maxwell).”

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 3:23 PM with the headline "Panthers CB Josh Norman: Jon Gruden wrong in saying no one has locked down Julio Jones."