Talk » Jenkins said Norman should have been covering Br

Lance Franklin says he now tries to make every AFL kick for goal count, after revealing he was previously blase about his approach to the codes most valuable skill.Sydney forward Franklin has kicked more goals that any other present AFL player with his tally of 780 placing him 12th on the all time list.He has kicked 74 this season, putting him second in the Coleman Medal, six goals behind West Coasts Josh Kennedy.The last year-and-a-half to two years, Ive really given it (kicking for goal) a little more thought, because I feel that if youre going to have five or six shots a game, or whatever it is, you really want to make it count, Franklin said on Monday.Probably when I was a little bit younger I was a bit blase, I didnt really care about it too much.But the last couple of years Ive really tried to concentrate on it and make every kick count.A year after missing the finals because of a mental health issue Franklin is clearly in a happier frame of mind and excited about returning to the codes biggest stage.Yeah, its been nice, its been a great year and everything is going along really well, Im just looking forward to finals, Franklin said.He attributed his strong form to having his first full pre-season in three years at Sydney.Thats really helped me and put me in good stead for the season so far, Franklin said.The first couple of years (at Sydney) Id play and then I wasnt able to train, just because I hadnt done a pre-season.It just takes you a little bit longer to recover.On the back of having a good pre-season Ive been able to back it up and train during the week which helps.He is revelling in directing a youthful forward line made up primarily of first and second year players and converted midfielders.Ive really enjoyed that role of being a leader amongst the forward line, he said.The best thing about these young boys is they want to listen and they want to learn and every game they are growing.Franklin has kicked almost three times as many goals this season than any other Swan, but pointed out four of his teammates had booted at least 20, while another has kicked 19.He rates fellow Swan Isaac Heeney as one of the best young players he has seen.The way he launches at a ball for a guy that is 184 centimetres is unbelievable and hes got a great set of hands, Franklin said.Hes a kid that always wants to learn and he wants to get better and I love playing with him. 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"The result looked easier than it really was," Ivanovic said. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The fun has begun, and its not even Redskins week yet.New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz and cornerback Janoris Jenkins?took jabs at Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman for not covering Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver Antonio Brown on Monday night. Brown had eight receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-16 win over the Redskins.Especially if he calls himself -- I dont call him this, he calls himself the best corner in the league -- then you have to go cover the best receivers on the other team, Cruz said Wednesday. Going in, I thought he was going to follow AB all over the place, but he didnt. So it is what it is. He made his choice.It just so happens that Cruzs teammate and friend?Odell Beckham Jr.?was involved in an ugly on-field, back-and-forth altercation last year when Norman was with the Carolina Panthers. Beckham was flagged for three penalties in the contest and suspended one game for his actions. Norman was also flagged for penalties and wrestled Beckham to the ground on multiple occasions.The two have gone back and forth taking public shots at each other since.Norman signed a five-year, $75 million contract with the Redskins in the offseason, setting the stage for two meetings a season with his archrival Beckham. The first meeting between the two is in Week 3.Norman told reporters Wednesday that he focuses on the assignments given to him by his coaches.Im doing what Im asked to do and doing it to the best of my abilities, trying to be a cerebral assassin on details and assignments, which my coaches ask me to do, he said. Trying to be a technician of the game. Anything I can do, Im all for it. Whether I travel or not travel to one side, left side, who really cares? Just get the job done. Whoever gets the job done, so be it.All this talk about thhis guy matchups up this guy, who really frickin cares? Come out with a W and win the game.ddddddddddddThats hogwash. Thats what people talk about. Of course we want to go up against each other because our competitive egos are through the roof. Its one of those things that comes with the territory.There is little doubt among the Giants that Norman will spend next Sunday covering Beckham.He didnt get into a fisticuffs with those guys last year, so it will be different, Cruz said. Id be a little surprised given the circumstances if he doesnt follow Odell around the field. Id be a little surprised, to be honest.Cruz said he watched only part of Mondays game between the Redskins and Steelers. He didnt see all of Browns catches, most of which came against Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland.But if Norman really wanted to cover Brown, Cruz thinks it would have happened.Its always his choice. He can go to the powers that be and say, Hey, I want to cover this guy. And if they say no, if maybe he did that and they say no, then Ill have to eat my words, Cruz said. But for the most part, you can go make that request.Cruz isnt alone in his thinking. Jenkins said Norman should have been covering Brown throughout that contest.I think when youre paying someone $70 million, there shouldnt be no game plan, Jenkins told reporters. The game plan should be, youre on this guy and thats what it is.Its going to be a fun week for the Giants leading up to their much-awaited matchup with the Redskins. But first they play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Norman and the Redskins take on star wide receiver Dez Bryant and the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim contributed to this report. ' ' '