Redskins CB Josh Norman yesterday in an interview with ESPN's Diana Russini defended his decision to sign on as a contributor for Fox Sports' NFL coverage this season, saying, “It’s my off time, I can do whatever I choose." He said he is “not even shooting on Sundays." Norman: “It’s not a big deal. I think people are just starting to look for stuff and they search for it and they try to dig out what they want so they can put it on a headline for it to be this big thing which doesn’t even make sense like a logical mind would think about. He added, "This is something I do in my off-time and it’s cool and I am appreciative of Fox allowing me to do it and my team organization because obviously they knew about it and they had to sign off on it before it actually took place” (ESPN.com, 8/10). ESPN.com's John Keim wrote Norman "should also know this: By making himself an analyst while still on the field, he’s inviting a massive spotlight on his own play. And that’s before you factor in his paycheck" (ESPN.com, 8/10).
WORKING OVERTIME: ESPN’s Louis Riddick said of the Redskins not being informed of Norman's new TV role, "You would like for there to be something where the head coach is aware of everything that their players are doing off the field during the regular season. Although I will say this, this is a deal that was agreed to before Josh became a member of the Washington Redskins so it wasn’t something that he did behind their backs after they signed him." Riddick added, "I’m sure (Redskins head coach Jay Gruden) didn’t really appreciate that either because it makes him look like ‘I don’t have a finger on the pulse of my football team.'" ESPN's Jim Trotter said, "If (Norman) happens to say something during those interviews that becomes a distraction for the team -- head coaches hate that" ("NFL Insiders," ESPN, 8/9). ESPN’s Trey Wingo said sarcastically about Gruden’s reaction to first hearing about Norman’s TV work, “He seems thrilled.” ESPN’s Jeff Saturday said, “This is ridiculous, unless it’s pre-taped on Thursday, what are you doing man? ... Sundays are about business.” Saturday: “I am not a fan of anybody doing this, unless it says 'postgame'" ("NFL Live," ESPN2, 8/9). CSN Mid-Atlantic’s Brian Mitchell: “Ten appearances, they stated, for a 17-week season, they’re going to figure it out the proper way, but I doubt seriously he’s going to be doing a live hit on gameday when he’s about to play” (“Sports Talk Live,” CSN Mid-Atlantic, 8/9).
WHO'S THE BOSS: ESPN's J.A. Adande said, "I don't think (Norman) needs to tell his bosses what he does in his spare time as long as it doesn't interfere with his preparations for his job or put him at physical risk." Colorado Springs Gazette columnist Woody Paige said Norman "didn't have to tell anybody (as) every player on the team has some kind of radio or TV show. ESPN's Tony Reali said, "You don't think he needs to tell his team, but you better believe the team thinks that he needs to tell them. ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 8/9). ESPN's Tony Kornheiser: "Josh Norman is obviously out for Josh Norman and that's fine ... (but) you've got to clear this" ("PTI," ESPN, 8/9). ESPN's L.Z. Granderson said, "It won't interfere but it still is a problem. ... It's just about respect, it looks disrespectful" ("SportsNation," ESPN2, 8/9).
