Victor Cruz questions Josh Norman not covering Antonio Brown

Antonio Brown torched Washington Monday night, but Josh Norman was rarely lined up opposite the Steelers receiver. But first they play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Wide receivers and defensive backs seem to be particularly prone (although guys like Lawrence Taylor and Michael Strahan were hardly quiet). “The game plan should be: You’re on this guy”.

It just so happens that Cruz’s teammate and friend, Odell Beckham Jr., was involved in an ugly on-field back-and-forth altercation past year when Norman was with the Carolina Panthers. After that, the Giants stay home for a September 25 game against the Redskins – the first time Beckham and Norman will square off after last season’s out-of-control antics that got Beckham suspended for a game and Norman fined heavily. And the talk isn’t even waiting for week two to be over with before getting started.

Will Norman surprise us and return fire?

The bottom line is, a lot of people were shocked that the Redskins gave Norman all that money to not cover the best receiver.

Norman signed a five-year, $75 million deal with the Redskins this offseason, which means he will clash with Beckham twice this season.

Jenkins, a former Ram, clearly has a chip on his shoulder to compete with the likes of Norman for league-wide recognition of his excellence, but he didn’t bite – too hard, at least – on a question of whether he is a shutdown corner, too.

“I didn’t watch it but I heard about it, ” Cruz said. Brown had eight receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-16 win over the Redskins.

Norman, who is perhaps more known for his mouth than anything else (other than being choked out by Cam Newton), has repeatedly stated he’s the best cornerback in the league.

Giants veteran Leon Hall had a valuable perspective on Washington’s decision. And Hall acknowledged that, as a division opponent so familiar with the Steelers, Cincinnati may have felt comfortable not putting one shutdown corner on Brown because they knew the player’s and team’s tendencies and weaknesses do well. The teams face off in Week 3 at MetLife Stadium and on New Year’s Day in the regular season finale at FedEx Field. Norman and Beckham engaged in trash talking, shoving, and pushing that eventually got Norman fined and Beckham a one-game suspension.