Norman relishes Julio Jones matchup

Norman, a fourth-year cornerback from Coastal Carolina, is an ascending player.

“Julio!,” Norman said. “My man. I’m in here bumping his song. Listening to him. Getting right. From Young Scooter. ‘I got the Dirty Birds calling me Julio.’ Got to get my mind right for it.”

The talkative Norman has four interceptions and has returned two for touchdowns this season.

“I think it’s one of my toughest, most competitive opponents that I look forward to each and every year,” Norman said. “He’s always at the top. He’s the No. 1 wide receiver in the league right now in yards and everything. I’m the No. 1 corner. We’re both NFC South and I think that’s going to be a game to watch.”

Jones spoke to the Carolina media via conference call. He was unfazed by Norman’s comments and wasn’t sure what he meant by the remark.

Norman recently said he circled the Atlanta and Dallas games on his calendar when the schedule came out because he wanted to do well in his matchups against Dez Bryant and Jones.

“That’s on him as far as whatever he needs to get motivated or whatever,” Jones told the Carolina media on a conference call. “My motivation is to go out here and play for my teammates. Last year is last year. This is a whole new year. If he’s looking forward for the matchup, it’s going to be a matchup.”

Norman and Jones battled twice last season with Jones catching 10 passes for 117 yards and no touchdowns.

Jones, who let’s his play do his talking, was complimentary of Norman.

Jones leads the league with 102 catches for 1,338 yards, but hasn’t scored a touchdown over the past four games.

“It doesn’t matter to me,” Jones said. “Football is football. I’m going to go out there and give all I’ve got regardless. It doesn’t matter who I’m playing.”