Browns select Dawson as captain

By MIKE McLAIN Tribune Chronicle

September 11, 2009

BEREA - The players selected six captains Wednesday to represent the team for the regular season.

Tackle Joe Thomas and running back Jamal Lewis were selected on offense. Inside linebackers D'Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton were the defensive selections. Joshua Cribbs and kicker Phil Dawson were named on special teams.

"This means a great deal to me," Dawson said. "It's a responsibility that I take seriously and I consider it a privilege to represent these guys."

Dawson is the only member of the expansion 1999 Browns still with the team. No other member of the '99 team is in the NFL.

Perhaps no player on the roster knows the importance of getting off to a good start more than Dawson. The Browns have won only once in 10 season openers since their return to the NFL after a three-year absence.

"I doubt a lot of these guys even know that, and that's probably good," Dawson said. "This is a football game we have this Sunday. That needs to be our mentality in terms of trends and what's happened in the past. It's true what happened, but it shouldn't affect our preparation."

Jackson, entering his fourth season, has quietly developed into a leader.

"It's good knowing my teammates respect me that much," Jackson said. "I take pride in what I do. We all have fun and get along well in here. It's a great honor. I have to go out and keep proving myself each day to hold up to that title."