CLEVELAND -- Redemption sure was sweet for the Cleveland Browns and rookie kicker Greg Joseph.
After being off the mark with a game-winning field goal try near the end of regulation and on an extra point earlier in the game, Joseph converted a 37-yard try with two seconds remaining in overtime to give the Browns a 12-9 victory over the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday.
“I was excited once I saw it go over the bar,” Joseph said with a wry smile. “Then, I made the rookie mistake of taking off my helmet. Got a little [excited]. It was just everyone jumping around, and I was just trying to see if I could pick out my family to be honest, but there is so much going on.
“It was awesome to hear how loud the stadium was as well. The fans deserve it, as well. It has been a long time coming for them. I still have work to do. Enjoyed it, but now, it is behind me. Onto the next. Not even looking at the next game, have practice to do. Have to kick, have to get better and take care of my body.”
The Ravens brought a heavy rush as Joseph charged toward the football, and one of their special-teamers got a hand on the football to deflect it off of its original path. However, Joseph put enough power behind the kick for it to clear the bar and send home happy those clad in orange and brown.
“I felt good and felt like I hit it good,” Joseph said. “I was ready to look up and see it go in. You hear the thud on it real quick, and luckily, saw it still carry through. Three points is three points. You live, you learn, and you move on.”
Joseph had a chance to deliver the Browns to victory in regulation, but he pulled the attempt wide to the left of the upright, and the score remained tied at 9-9 heading into overtime, the third time in which Cleveland played an extra session in the first five weeks of the season.
Joseph was presented with a game ball by Coach Hue Jackson for bouncing back from the two missed kicks, but the rookie kicker shared it with everyone on the kicking unit.
“The guys on the sideline did a great job of rallying around me,” Joseph said. “That is why this game ball is not just for me. I am just 9.1 percent or however the math works out of that field goal unit. Guys have to block, guys have to snap, and guys have to hold, so that game ball is for that whole unit.
“I have just been here -- this was my third game -- this was for you guys who have been here all offseason, months, years. They have been working. They have been fighting. They deserve it, especially because of the start of the season.”
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