CB Joseph prefers to continue career here
For seven years with the Texans, veteran cornerback Johnathan Joseph has built a legacy by shadowing opponents’ best receivers.
Every Sunday, it’s Joseph who’s sprinting, backpedaling and wrestling with some of the most talented athletes in the NFL.
Now that his contract is expiring after being paid a $6.5 million base salary this year after originally signing a five-year. $48.75 million contract in 2011 to leave the Cincinnati Bengals as a free agent, the 33-year-old twotime Pro Bowl selection hopes to extend his career in Houston. Joseph becomes an unrestricted free agent in March.
“This has been home for me; I’d like to continue it being my home,” Joseph said. “At the end of the day, that’s not my call to make. We’ll see what happens. I think I’ve had a great run here.
“Big free agent seven years ago, Pro Bowl, won the division, did a lot of good things here, but the ultimate goal was to win a championship when I came here. I still want to be a part of that going forward.”
There were some preliminary conversations between Joseph’s agent, Jason Chayut, and Texans management about an extension prior to the season, but formal negotiations weren’t launched.
“Little talk, mutual interest,” Joseph said. “I wanted to wait until after the season. My first time being a true free agent, the last time was during a lockout, so it wasn’t a true free agency.
“I don’t even think about it. I’ve been in this league a long time. I just leave it up to the people upstairs and my representatives.”
‘I want to be here’
Joseph doesn’t necessarily need to test the marketplace. He’d prefer to hammer out a deal with the Texans as he prepares for his 14th NFL season.
“I don’t want to go anywhere else,” Joseph said. “I want to be here. Me testing the market is just part of the game, part of the business, if I have to.”
Joseph has started every game this season and recorded 45 tackles (two for losses) and two interceptions with nine passes defended. His contributions are still valued by the Texans.
“He’s one of the leaders of the locker room, been that way since we got here,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s asked to do a lot on our defense relative to covering top guys. He’s been doing that since we arrived here, but he’s a team guy.
“He cares about the team, he cares about the teammates, his coaching staff. That’s the best way to describe J-Jo.”
As he heads into Sunday’s road game against the Indianapolis Colts, Joseph is hoping for a better performance against speedy wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. Hilton had a big game against Joseph during a November win, beating him for five catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns, including an 80-yard score.
“Yeah, he’s difficult,” Joseph said. “He’s a guy who wants to get behind you and make big catches. I gave up a big touchdown to him last game. You definitely have to be aware of keeping him in front of you and not giving up big explosive plays.”
Tough times for defense
The Texans were ranked first in total defense and second in passing defense a year ago. Without injured pass rushers J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus and cornerback A.J. Bouye after he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the defense has fallen to 23rd overall, 26th against the pass and last in scoring defense.
“It’s tough from the standpoint of the standard we’ve set,” Joseph said. “The injuries, that’s football. The standard I’m used to, the kind of defense I’m used to playing, that’s definitely not the standard we have here. Going forward, we definitely have to make changes.”
A former Bengals first-round draft pick from South Carolina, Joseph has 639 career tackles, 28 interceptions, seven forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries.
“When I first started, I just wanted to play football,” Joseph said. “I still feel the same way today. When I’m no longer able to continue and be an impactful player, I’ll walk away under my own terms. I’m financially secure. That’s not something I’m stressing about. I’m still healthy.”