Panthers CB Josh Norman believes he deserves NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman has made it known throughout the season that he wants to win the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

Votes for the award were due in Tuesday, so Norman didn’t need to make a stump speech Thursday. But in responding to a reporter’s question, Norman said he believes he deserves the honor.

“I’m not going to sit up here and say I don’t,” Norman said. “It’s one of those things that I put on my goal list each and every year. It’d be awesome to win such a prestigious award. ... I’d be speechless. But at the same time knowing that my ultimate goal is the Super Bowl and nothing less is going to get me from making it there.”

Norman had four interceptions in the first four games, including two he returned for touchdowns. He didn’t have an interception over the final 12 games, when teams often shied away from him.

Quarterbacks finished with a 54.0 passer rating when targeting Norman, the best mark among all cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus.

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt and Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald are among the leading candidates, a list that also includes at least two other Panthers players.

Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly ranks among the top 15 in the league in tackles despite missing three games, and outside linebacker Thomas Davis hit career high in sacks (5.5) and interceptions (4).

Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short also could be in the conversation.

Carolina coach Ron Rivera said the Panthers’ candidates could cancel each other out.

“Anytime you have a bunch of guys that are getting recognition that’s going to happen,” Rivera said. “We’ve got a group of guys that are all playing well together more so than anything else.”

Norman was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time this season, but called DPOY the “creme of the creme.”

“It gets no better than that for me,” he said. “If I don’t, I’m blessed enough to come back next year and try it again.”

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 5:07 PM with the headline "Panthers CB Josh Norman believes he deserves NFL Defensive Player of the Year."