Steadfast in the secondary
For years, Joseph has helped new teammates adjust; now it’s his turn to deal with change
When he signed with the Texans as an unrestricted free agent in 2011, one of the first players Johnathan Joseph met was cornerback Kareem Jackson. Over the next eight years, they would become starters, close friends and team leaders.
Entering his ninth season with the Texans and his 14th in the NFL, Joseph can be forgiven for feeling as if a piece of him is missing. Jackson signed with Denver in March. Their friendship will endure, but their partnership has been dissolved.
Joseph admitted last week it feels weird being in meeting rooms, the locker room and on the practice field without Jackson.
“Oh, yeah, absolutely,” the veteran cornerback said. “Obviously, it’s a business (and) you have to get used to it.
“When I pull into the parking lot, I always look around at the cars and think about how, most of the time, we’d pull up around the same time, or we’d be walking in and talking. I understand it’s a business, and that part’s gone.”
At 35, Joseph is the oldest member of the team, and he’s been in the NFL longer than any of his teammates. As the senior veteran, so to speak, he believes he has a responsibility to his team.
“I think my role is being a leader, leading by example, helping guys out, wherever they may fit,” he said. “Whether it’s with the defense, learning the city (or) being comfortable with the guys on the team. Taking it to the practice field and eventually to training camp and into regular-season games.”
One-man welcoming committee
Joseph is like a one-man welcoming committee for new players. For defensive backs, he’s like an extra coach on the field.
Two draft choices — cornerbacks Lonnie Johnson (second round) and Xavier Crawford (sixth) — will rely heavily on Joseph.
Joseph also has helped four veteran free agents — safeties Tashaun Gipson and Jahleel Addae and cornerbacks Bradley Roby and Briean Boddy-Calhoun — with their adjustments to Houston and the Texans.
There will be at least two new starters to replace Jackson and safety Tyrann Mathieu. “For me, going out there with the new guys (and) getting our camaraderie together,” he said, mentioning one of his duties. “Getting to know one another from being in the classroom and weight room.
“On the back end, we have to always be on the same page. Communication goes a long way. Playing together also goes a long way.”
The kind of communication the defensive backs have to develop on the field begins off the field. They spend a lot of time together.
“In the classroom, in the film room, we’re talking it over with the coaches,” Joseph said. “We’re going through different situations. How can we handle combinations, the way certain guys see certain things, and how can we play it and help one another? The biggest thing is taking it to the field, where guys gain each other’s trust.” That’s one reason the offseason program, especially the OTAs, is so important.
He likes what he sees
“I think there’s several different things you can learn from OTA sessions other than just being out on the practice field,” Joseph said. “I like to work on small things (like) technique (and) some fundamentals. For the younger guys, it’s to get a feel for the NFL game, the speed, and getting adjusted to how we practice, how to take care of your time off and to use your time usefully.”
So far, Joseph likes what he sees of Johnson and Crawford.
“Two young guys looking to fit in where need be,” he said. “Lonnie has a big skillset from a height (6-2), weight (213) and speed (4.38) standpoint,” Joseph said. “Xavier’s also really fast (4.48). I think they’re doing a great job of following their leaders.”
Joseph was familiar with Gipson and Addae after watching them start for Jacksonville and the Los Angeles Chargers. Gipson is expected to replace Mathieu in the starting lineup opposite Justin Reid.
“Gipson’s been a Pro Bowler (and has) played at a high level,” Joseph said. “He was a leader for a talented defense at Jacksonville and made big plays. I was also able to watch Addae. I think both of those guys (are) meaningful additions to this team. They bring attitude and toughness. They both lead by example.”
Joseph saw Gipson twice a season during his four years with the Jaguars.
“In our defense, the safety’s supposed to be versatile,” Joseph said. “I think he fits the mold of what we’re looking for, so I think he’ll adjust accordingly.”
There’s a good chance the star of the secondary will be Reid, who was outstanding as a rookie. Joseph is watching his development as a big-play safety.
“He came in with a chip on his shoulder,” Joseph said about last year. “He should’ve been a first-round pick. I look at his talent level, and I think he should’ve been a first-round pick. He came in with that mentality. He can cover, tackle (and) play special teams. He can do whatever you ask him.
“When they first introduced him in the room, he didn’t say he was a safety. He said he was a DB. We all laughed, but he brought that same mentality that he could play multiple positions, could learn on the fly and could be durable.”
Joseph believes Reid will be even better this season, and one reason is his natural leadership tendencies.
“I think he naturally likes to hold guys accountable,” Joseph said. “When he shows up to practice and in the meeting room, he’s always prepared. He takes more notes than anybody I’ve ever been around. Guys see that.
“He’s a very vocal guy. He means what he says, and he puts his heart on the line every time he’s in the weight room and on the practice field. I think that rubs off on the younger guys (and) the veteran guys. He earns his teammates’ trust.”
Which is something Joseph did years ago, and it continues to make him valuable to his coaches and teammates.