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Joseph lends his defensive services — free of charge
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Monday, October 22, 2007
CINCINNATI — There is no game check to take to the bank. Johnathan Joseph will have to settle for the interception he took to the house.
The Cincinnati second-year cornerback returned a Chad Pennington pass 42 yards for a touchdown in the Bengals' 38-31 victory over the Jets.
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"I just love to play the game and do my job without getting paid extra," Joseph said. "Or getting paid at all."
Joseph was suspended for last week's game against Kansas City. He did not receive his game check of $21,177 for that contest. He also was fined another game check Sunday; both penalties levied for an arrest earlier this year for marijuana possession.
With Cincinnati leading 31-23 in the final minute at Paul Brown Stadium, Joseph saw Pennington turn to his left and look for Laveranues Coles.
"I just happened to make a break this time and make a play on the ball," said Joseph, who high-stepped into the end zone. "If a guy gets a jump on the ball, there's nothing a quarterback really can do — or the receiver."
Joseph — who finished with five tackles and a pass defended — got his first pick and score in his 22nd career game.
"He had a hard time last year being a rookie," Bengals safety Dexter Jackson said. "He could have had a couple more, but he dropped them. But today — when it counted, it mattered — he picked it off and so it was big for us."
Asked about Joseph, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis wasn't handing out roses. "It's all about being consistent," Lewis said. "We have some talented guys that need to keep playing better."
Jackson said the defense is better when Joseph plays — for pay or not.
"We're at full-strength when he's out there," Jackson said. "He's one of our up-and-coming corners that we rely on. . . . He's not playing for free. He's playing for the love of the game."
While Joseph has paid his debt to the NFL, he still isn't square with Jackson — who wouldn't reveal the exact explanation.
"I can't tell you . . . dinner," Jackson said. "He owes me and (cornerback) Blue Adams dinner. For a pick for a touchdown, we'll cut it in half."
Contact this reporter at mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com or (937) 225-6951.
