subject: Joseph hopes to be part of Bengals for years to come [print this page] Joseph hopes to be part of Bengals for years to come
One of the top young cornerbacks in the National Football League is optimistic that he will remain a member of the Cincinnati Bengals for years to come. Bengals starting cornerback Jonathan Joseph is confident he can reach a deal for long-term deal with his team before his contract ends at the end of the next NFL season. Like Joseph, the Bengals management are themselves hopeful that they can keep their prized cornerback by offering him two proposals recently. Joseph, 26, is one of the NFL's top young cornerbacks and could be a hot commodity next off-season if he becomes an unrestricted free agent. He recorded 69 tackles and six interceptions for Cincinnati's fourth-ranked defense in 2009. The rising cornerback he would love to play for the Bengals to pay gratitude to the opportunity they gave them to play in the NFL. The Bengals won the AFC North last year and have a solid tandem of young cornerbacks with Joseph and Leon Hall. But in order to keep this pair together beyond this season, the Bengals and Joseph first have to reach a long-term deal. Joseph has participated with the Bengals this off-season in both voluntary and mandatory workouts. Joseph was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1st round, 24th overall. In his rookie year of 2006, Joseph made his debut start worthy with five tackles against the Kansas City Chiefs [1]. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3, Joseph defended his first pass, three in that game, and added to them with three tackles. Against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13, Joseph recorded a then-season-best 7 tackles and a career-best 4 defended passes. In his last game of the year, a 23-17 overtime loss to Pittsburgh, Joseph recorded a career-best 10 tackles with 2 defended passes. Joseph's season totals were 58 tackles and 20 pass break-ups. Get your Cheap NFL Tickets
