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Bengals cornerback primed for impact season

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Cincinnati's Jonathan Joseph (22) is followed by teammate Dhani Jones (57) while running back a fumble for a touchdown against Baltimore in 2008.

AP Photo Cincinnati's Jonathan Joseph (22) is followed by teammate Dhani Jones (57) while running back a fumble for a touchdown against Baltimore in 2008.

By Carlos “Big C” Holmes, Staff Writer Updated 8:06 AM Wednesday, August 5, 2009

GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Cincinnati Bengals starting cornerback Johnathan Joseph is entering his fourth year in the league and is preparing for an impact season.

Joseph hasn’t quite been able to reach that next plateau since being drafted by the team with the 24th overall pick in the 2006 draft. The cornerback’s progress has been hindered by some unfortunate circumstances both on and off the field.

Joseph started out with a promising rookie year playing in all 16 games, starting nine. He finished the season with 57 tackles, including a career-best 10 tackles against arch rival Pittsburgh.

In 2007, Joseph showed real signs of being worthy of the first-round selection. He had a strong sophomore year, finishing the season with 62 tackles and four interceptions. It wasn’t until after the season that things went dreadfully wrong.

Joseph was arrested and charged with marijuana possession in Kentucky after a Boone County sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle in which he was a passenger. The misdemeanor charge was later dismissed after Joseph completed a substance abuse program.

In 2008, Joseph’s season was cut short due to injury. He played in eight games and missed the team’s last five games with a season-ending foot injury. He recorded 42 tackles and one interception.

That brings us to Bengals training camp 2009 ,where Joseph is off to a terrific start and is one happy camper.

“I’m glad to be out here and back on the field,” Joseph said. “I’m 100 percent healthy and I think that I’m in the best shape I have ever been in camp. I’ve trimmed a few pounds off and just happy to be back with the guys.”

Joseph usually comes in weighing around 195 pounds, but trimmed some body fat this offseason, cutting his weight down to a chiseled 188.

Joseph said he thinks it will pay off big for the team this season because he’s much quicker.

The cornerback has mixed it up pretty good in camp, showing his ability to cover and support the run. Joseph’s strength is no doubt his cover skills. I haven’t seen him get beat deep once during practice and he keeps everything in front of him. Despite the solid performance there is still room for improvement.

“I have to work on staying consistent,” Joseph said. “The thing that the coaches are working on with me is getting my eyes out of the backfield looking at the quarterback too long. They always say if you see the ball thrown you’re going to see it caught as well. I have been working on staying square in backpedal and exploding out of my breaks. Once I get those basic fundamentals under my belt the sky is the limit.”

Joseph was adamant about making a statement on the playing field this season and knows what it will take.

“When I’m in the game I make plays,” he said. “The team just needs a full season out of me whether it’s 16 or 20 games. It’s important that I stay healthy and stay consistent. I’m focused on what it will take to win ball games. The guys know that they can count on me when I’m healthy. I worked hard during the spring to prepare for training camp and I’m ready to take my game to the next level.”

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