What does it take to lose your job in Denver, huh?
Three weeks ago, Jordan Norwood fumbled the ball twice as a punt returner against the Kansas City Chiefs, losing one of them. He was promptly shoved off the field by Aqib Talib and lost his job to rookie Kalif Raymond.
In two games, Raymond did a solid job returning punts for the Broncos; at times, he even looked like a legitimate threat, averaging 10 yards a return, something we haven’t seen from Denver’s special teams in a long time.
And most importantly, he didn’t fumble the football.
For whatever reason, though, Gary Kubiak made the decision on Sunday to deactivate Raymond and give the job back to Norwood.
It did not go well.
On his first opportunity of the game, Norwood did what Norwood tends to do: fumble the football. The Patriots would recover and convert the turnover into three points.
WHY IS JORDAN NORWOOD BACK THERE????!1!!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
— Michael Jaycox (@MilkyMike) December 18, 2016
WHAT has Norwood done to earn that job? Please, tell me one thing ….
— Michael Jaycox (@MilkyMike) December 18, 2016
Inexcusable he's playing. Friggin' joke.
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) December 18, 2016
CUT JORDAN NORWOOD
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) December 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/810597772906864642
Aqib Talib stared down Jordan Norwood as he walked on the field. Norwood got benched after 2 muffs. Now muffs one after great DEN 3&out.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 18, 2016
#Broncos Norwood wasn't pushed from behind when he muffed that punt, but he might be when he gets to the sidelines.
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) December 18, 2016
What’s worse, though, is that Kubiak still allowed Norwood to go back to return the next punt. And after receiving it without issue, the crowd gave a sarcastic cheer.
Broncos have Jordan Norwood back to return
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) December 18, 2016
Crowd just cheered when Jordan Norwood caught fair catch. That's cold.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) December 18, 2016
People—allegedly objective reporters—in the press box, cheering when Norwood caught that punt cleanly. I understand. #broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) December 18, 2016
Crowd goes wild!!! Norwood caught the ball on the punt by the #Patriots go 3-and-out again
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) December 18, 2016
Norwood put the excitement back into the Fair Catch. . .
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) December 18, 2016
Love the sarcastic cheer. Let Norwood hear it. Unbelievable he's allowed back there again.
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) December 18, 2016
Norwood would remain in the game, returning two punts for a total of 5 yards, but he allowed several more to bounce deep into Denver territory, refusing to catch the ball.
Really. . . He can't field a fly ball. . . Get him (Norwood) the hell out of everyones way. . .
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) December 18, 2016
And even then, Norwood wasn’t done capsizing the Broncos’ chances at victory.
While the game was all but sealed, with under a minute to play Norwood put the nail in the coffin by fumbling the ball away once again (as a receiver this time).
How fitting …
— Michael Jaycox (@MilkyMike) December 19, 2016
I don't know why but I seriously started laughing when Norwood fumbled… what an awful freaking game by Denver.
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) December 19, 2016
But at least there was a sliver lining …
Jordan Norwood had two solo tackles, were they on his two fumbles?
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) December 19, 2016
Kubiak said after the game that he wanted Norwood on the active roster for what he brought to the team offensively, but it’s clear Broncos Country could care less. Amongst others, Norwood would not be missed if he was jettisoned from the roster tomorrow.
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/810645183725469702
https://twitter.com/PetersenWill/status/810641640452980736
Not sure Jordan Norwood should have a spot on this roster going forward.
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) December 19, 2016