HOUSTON -- Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph hopes he'll be busy in the playoffs at the end of January during the Pro Bowl.
That he wasn't selected to the game disappointed his teammates, though.
"I think it's wack," Texans cornerback Charles James II said. "I think it's completely wack because J Joe is playing at the highest level right now of any corner in this football league. He's going out, he's covering the best receiver man up. Not all that zone stuff, to whoever that goes for. He's playing man up. Straight up man-to-man corner. He's playing good ball."
The Pro Bowl cornerbacks are Broncos corners Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr., Jets corner Darrelle Revis, Chiefs corner Marcus Peters, Seahawks corner Richard Sherman, Patriots corner Malcolm Butler, Panthers corner Josh Norman and Cardinals corner Patrick Peterson.
"Joe definitely had a great year," cornerback Kareem Jackson said. "Everybody in the organization, we thought he should've got in. All the guys that did they definitely had a great year as well. But at the end of the day I guess they can't pick everybody."
Joseph has been tasked with handling opponents' top receivers. He has one interception and one forced fumble this season. Only three receivers this season have eclipsed 100 yards against the Texans.
"He doesn't have as many picks as other people but he's playing at the highest level," James said. "I'm not saying that because he's my teammate and I'm biased. I'm saying that because of what I watch on film. And I've seen other corners. That's why I respect other corners out there. A lot of corners out there who are in the Pro Bowl, who are playing man, too. Aqib Talib, playing great football. Playing man up there in Denver. I respect those guys. I don't give a damn if they have to make a new slot and make another slot and put J Joe in, he should be in. It's whatever. I think it's a popularity contest."
Joseph was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2012 and 2013. While he appreciates his teammates' outrage, he values the position the Texans are in right now.
"From a competitive standpoint yeah I do," Joseph said, when asked if he thought he should have been selected. "That wasn't really on my mind. I got some texts about it last night. I didn't really watch (the selection show). For me it was just about ... when January comes around I hope I won't have a chance to play in that game, I'll be playing for something bigger. That's really what my focus is now."