<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Bengals, first-round pick CB Joseph reach dealESPN.com news servicesThe Cincinnati Bengals have reached a contract agreement with first-round draft choice Johnathan Joseph, a cornerback from South Carolina who will vie for the team's starting nickel spot.The agreement, which came late Friday night, will be signed on Saturday, well in advance of a nighttime session that marks the opening practice of training camp at Georgetown (Ky.) College. The deal, which was negotiated by agent Jason Chayut of Sportstars, is for five years. While the financial details were not immediately available, it will likely be worth about $8.1 million to $8.3 million.Despite appearing in only 14 games at the major college level, Joseph was one of the fastest rising players in the weeks preceding this year's draft, and the Bengals, with an eye toward the future at cornerback, took him with the 24th overall selection.Joseph, 22, was very impressive in spring minicamps, where he flashed natural playmaking and coverage skills. He probably won't challenge the veteran incumbents, Tory James and Deltha O'Neal, but might push one of them later in the season.He started his career at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, and was one of the top junior college cornerbacks in the country in 2003 before transferring to South Carolina in 2004. A broken right foot limited Joseph to just two appearances in his first season with the Gamecocks. He bounced back in 2005 to start in 10 of 12 appearances, and finished with 55 tackles, four interceptions and nine passes defensed.Joseph's stock began to skyrocket when he posted a 4.31-second time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine workouts. He also excelled in his campus auditions.Blessed with a solid frame (5-feet-11, 193 pounds) and long arms, Joseph has great physical tools, but his lack of playing time at the college level means he will have to work on recognition skills. He is a fluid athlete, who breaks smoothly out of his backpedal and has good burst to the ball.</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2533400
