Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman has received his fair share of praise for shutting down some of the top wide receivers in the NFL.  On the season, Norman has four interceptions, two of which he’s returned for touchdowns, all happening in the first four games of the season.

Although Norman has heaped media praise, he’s missing one big attribute.  Respect from his peers.

Despite the Panthers perfect 14-0 start, opposing wide receivers aren’t ready to put Norman in the same class as some of the elites at his position.

Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins took a veiled shot at Norman via his Twitter earlier this week.

Very good cov 3 corner I give him that. https://t.co/O3JgqnaQ21

— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) December 17, 2015

In an exclusive interview with Football Insiders on Sunday, Atlanta Falcons star wide receiver Julio Jones had plenty to say about Norman, although he wouldn’t call it a shot.

“People say Josh Norman is tough, don’t get me wrong he’s a good player, but they play Cover 2,” Jones said after the team’s 23-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.  “If you want to be a lockdown corner, yeah you follow me but you only have to play one half.  The Darrelle Revis’, the Richard Sherman’s the Patrick Peterson’s, they follow people all over the field and take away half of the field.

Jones paused for a second and then qualified his statement.

“No shots at him, he’s a good player.”

That didn’t sound like a shot at all, Julio.

Jones will get his chance against the “Cover 2 cornerback” when the Falcons take on the Panthers next Sunday in Atlanta.  Two weeks ago the Panthers crushed Jones and the Falcons, 38-0.