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ASHBURN, Va. -- Josh Norman doesnt want to kick the Carolina Panthers when theyre down, even if theyre down in part because they let him go.An All-Pro cornerback for the NFC champions, Norman was cut loose from the $13.9 million franchise tag in April and signed for $75 million over five years with the Washington Redskins days later.While Norman and the Redskins are still in the playoff hunt at 7-5-1, his old team is a disappointing 5-8 and is third-worst in the league against the pass.Norman faces the Panthers on Monday night for the first time since the breakup and understands their shortcomings even as hes reluctant to revel in their failures.I dont get up because people fail, Norman said this week. Thats on them. I dont have anything to do with that. My success is determined by where Im at and what I do for the team or organization that Im with.Norman has enjoyed mixed success as Washingtons No. 1 cornerback as Carolina has gone through understandable growing pains with rookie replacements James Bradberry and Daryl Worley.Early in the season Atlantas Matt Ryan blitzed the Panthers for 503 yards and four touchdowns, and two weeks later Drew Brees of New Orleans threw for 465 yards and four touchdowns.Predictably, moving on from Norman wasnt a smooth process. Saying he was taught not to kick people when theyre down, the 29-year-old is self-aware about the aftermath of his departure.You come up in a system and you know the guys and you build that bond and everyone knew where you were at that very moment in time, Norman said.Then one of those cogs from the system absolutely, abruptly departs and then you try to fill that void and that hole, I mean, shoot, just like anything else, its going to take time. Its not just going to pick up and go like you did before.While the Panthers have allowed 362.5 yards a game, the work-in-progress Redskins defense has allowed an average of 370.6.Norman was brought in to be a difference maker, and he has been with 13 passes defensed, an interception and two forced fumbles.The action-craved Norman has battled the frustration of quarterbacks not throwing his way, even as that deterrent is part of his value.Balancing patience and aggressiveness is a constant challenge for a player whos tied for the league lead in penalties and who recognizes that no one will remember the quiet plays and everyone will bring up the one mistake he makes.Normans mere presence has helped keep the defense afloat amid third down and red zone troubles.To have a guy to be able to put an elite guy on another teams elite guy, I think thats nice, defensive coordinator Joe Barry said. Josh loves the challenge every week, so when we decide to do that, its very nice to have the ability to do that.Saying he doesnt like to sit around the pick daisies out there, Norman is always looking for an elite matchup, whether its against Pittsburghs Antonio Brown, Dallas Dez Bryant or Carolinas Kelvin Benjamin. The Panthers no longer have that luxury until either Bradberry or Worley develops into that kind of talent.Norman already was.He was a big asset to our defense, Carolina defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said. He worked hard at his craft and was a big part of what weve done over the last number of years. Thats his business.Players are here and sometimes players graduate to different systems. Im extremely happy with the two corners weve got right now, and (we have) a lot of work to get done yet, still.Norman also has work to do with an enormous $20 million salary cap hit next season with expectations to match. He should be the centerpiece of Washingtons defense for years to come.Then again he thought that would be the case with Carolina, which didnt feel the same way.I gave everything I could do, and at the end of the day, it seems as if I wasnt worthy enough to be there, Norman said.I got fired. So, Im kind of taking it like that. At the end of the day, Im helping someone else out and being better on another team and helping guys here and were doing pretty good and were working to get better.---AP Sports Writer Steve Reed in Charlotte, N.C., contributed.---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Bill Barber Flyers Jersey . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. Jaromir Jagr Jersey . Pirlo limped out of Sundays 1-0 win over Udinese after just 13 minutes. Juventus says Pirlo underwent tests on Monday which revealed he has "a second-degree lesion to the collateral medial ligament in his right knee. http://www.nhlflyersproauthentic.com/sean-couturier-hockey-jersey/ . PAUL, Minn. Brian Elliott Flyers Jersey . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Ron Hextall Jersey . Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. DETROIT -- Ian Kennedy knew his good stuff was back by late July. He had nothing to show for it until Monday night, though.The right-hander took three straight no-decisions for the Kansas City Royals while allowing two runs in 19 1/3 innings. He gave up 13 hits and struck out 17, yet his winless streak reached eight starts.Against the Tigers, though, his hard work paid off. Kennedy held Detroit to one run on five hits and a walk in 6 2/3 innings to win for the first time since July 26.It was Houston, right? Kennedy said after Kansas Citys 3-1 win. I know it has been a while. You cant really control wins, and I know Ive been giving the team a chance to win, but it is nice to finish one off with a W.J.D. Martinez hit a solo homer in the seventh, but that was Kennedys only costly mistake.I didnt strike a lot of guys out tonight, but I was getting weak contact, he said. Against a team like Detroit, youll take that. I just left one fastball up to J.D.Three relievers finished, with Kelvin Herrera pitching the ninth for his fifth save.That was a great job by Ian and then by the `pen, Royals manager Ned Yost said. We gave them a couple extra outs in the last two innings, but our guys didnt blink.The Tigers, who came into the game with three everyday starters on the disabled list, lost slugger Miguel Cabrera after four innings to a strained left biceps. Cabrera appeared to injure himself in a first-inning collision with Cheslor Cuthbert at first base, but batted twice before leaving the game.Tigers manager Brad Ausmus didnt think the injury was serious.Well wait and see how he feels tomorrow, Ausmus said. But I wouldnt be surprised if he tells me hes fine and he wants to play.Chasing a playoff spot, the Tigers need Cabrera to return quickly. They are missing center fielder Cameron Maybin, third baseman Nick Castellanos and shortstop Jose Iglesias, along with starting pitchers Jordan Zimmermann and Mike Pelfrey.Injuries are a part of the game, and were not going to bury our faces in our sand, Ausmus said. We cant do anything but come back tomorrow.Daniel Norris (1-1) took the loss, allowing two runs -- one earned -- in 5 1/3 innings. He gave up six hits and walked four while striking out one. He also made the error that led to the unearned run.Thats probably the worst Ive felt on the mound in a long time, at least in terms of mechanics, he said. Youve got to grind things out and last as long as you can, and I just hoped I would figure something out along the way.Paulo Orlando started the game with a four-pitch walk, then went to third when Norris threw away Cuthberts infield single, leading to the collision with Cabrera as he reached for the ball.dddddddddddd With one out, Eric Hosmer hit a line drive to deep left-center, and though Tyler Collins ran it down, Orlando scored easily on the sacrifice fly.Kansas City added to the lead in the sixth. With one out, Alex Gordon doubled and went to third on Norris wild pitch. After a walk to Alcides Escobar put runners at the corners, Alex Wilson came in to pitch and Raul Mondesi laid down a safety squeeze.Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who had replaced Cabrera at first base, fielded the bunt cleanly but hesitated before making a play, giving Mondesi an RBI single.Raul put that bunt in a perfect spot, Yost said. They didnt have a chance to get the runner at the plate.Martinez made it 2-1 with his homer in the seventh -- his second in two days and the 101st of his career. Casey McGehee singled with two outs, bringing Peter Moylan out of the Royals bullpen.James McCann hit an infield single, but pinch-hitter Mike Aviles popped out to end the inning.The Royals added an insurance run in the ninth on Lorenzo Cains RBI single off Blaine Hardy.TRAINERS ROOMRoyals: LHP Jason Vargas, out since July 2015 after Tommy John surgery, will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas this week. Vargas is scheduled to pitch three innings Wednesday, but there is no timeline for a possible return to the majors.Tigers: Pelfrey, sidelined since Aug. 1 with a back strain, will not be activated from the DL when he becomes eligible on Tuesday. He has only progressed as far as throwing on the side, but hes planning on a tougher workout Friday. Once he can throw off a mound, Pelfrey is expected to make at least one rehab start before returning to the rotation.EJECTIONThe Tigers, already short-handed after Cabreras injury, lost Collins in the bottom of the eighth when he was ejected by plate umpire Dan Iassogna for arguing a called third strike. Andrew Romine, the last position player available, replaced Collins in center field for the ninth.UP NEXTThe teams continue their three-game series Tuesday, with aces Danny Duffy (9-1, 2.82 ERA) and Justin Verlander (12-6, 3.42) squaring off. Verlander is 22-8 with a 3.21 ERA in 40 career starts against the Royals, giving him the most wins against Kansas City of any active pitcher. ' ' '