Those expecting new Redskins cornerback Josh Norman to provide any postgame fireworks or deliver strong quotes about why he wasn’t shadowing Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown will be disappointed.
Norman was disappointed, too, in his team’s performance. But he took the high and quiet road regarding why Brown did much of his damage against the Redskins with players other than Norman covering him. The Redskins kept Norman at left cornerback while the Steelers, as they usually do, moved Brown all over their formations.
“No [what-ifs]. No man, none of that,” Norman said after the game, per the team’s official transcript. “I have total, 100 percent confidence in Coach Joe Barry [the Redskins defensive coordinator]. Everything he wants us to do, I’m 110 percent in.
“So if you’re looking for something from me, you aren’t getting it. I don’t have anything.”
Brown caught eight passes for 126 yards and two scores. By at least one measure (via Pro Football Focus), Brown caught seven of those passes for 113 yards against Bashaud Breeland.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns. The Steelers won, 38-16.
“They had an excellent game plan,” Norman said. “They executed it flawlessly. They took us behind the woodshed today. A good, old-fashioned butt whipping. That’s what it was. Can’t take anything anyway from that.”