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Honors brighten otherwise dismal season. Cribbs, Dawson named alternates
By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 11:34 p.m. EST, Dec 16, 2008
BEREA: Sometimes a strong individual effort can stand out from a collective mess and sometimes reputation alone is enough when it comes to honors.
Either way, despite the Browns' record dropping to 4-10 after Monday night's disheartening 30-10 loss at Philadelphia, the team managed to land a pair of starters on the 2008 Pro Bowl roster.
Announced late Tuesday afternoon, defensive tackle Shaun Rogers and offensive tackle Joe Thomas were named to the first team.
Rogers will make his third appearance in the Pro Bowl, having previously played while with Detroit following the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
''It's a pleasure and a privilege,'' Rogers said. ''It's always good to be recognized by your peers as somebody who is at the top of their game right now and someone who is a competitor.''
In his first season with the Browns after being traded from the Lions, Rogers leads all Browns defensive linemen with 72 tackles, including 51 solo. He also leads the team with 41/2 sacks, 15 quarterback pressures, seven tackles for a loss and has blocked two kicks.
''Rogers has come in here — even though some people felt like he wasn't a good fit, didn't have the right attitude, didn't play hard all the time — but he's done a great job for us,'' Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. ''He's been an impact on this team, not only on the football field but also in the locker room.''
Thomas, making his second consecutive trip to Hawaii after his rookie showing in 2007, was named the Pro Bowl starter at left tackle for the AFC despite what many consider a drop-off from last season.
''It's obviously very exciting,'' Thomas said. ''I'm very proud to be representing the Browns at my second Pro Bowl.''
When asked if Thomas was having as good of a season as he did last year, Crennel replied: ''There were a couple plays yesterday that he could have done better on. But he was voted into the Pro Bowl, so I'm going to hang my hat on that.''
Playing on the Browns oftentimes struggling front line this season, Thomas admitted this season has proven tougher than was his rookie year.
''This has been a tough season because of the losses and not playing well,'' he said. ''We feel like we're still a good team, we just haven't played up to expectations.
''Myself, I feel like I have improved over last year. But due to the quality of opponents that our team has played and the different defensive ends I've had to face week in and week out was much higher level as the previous year.''
Regardless of why Rogers and Thomas were chosen, the embattled Browns must be glad to have some good news to talk about in a season that's otherwise forgettable.
''We are happy and proud of Joe and Shaun for being selected to this year's Pro Bowl,'' Browns Senior Vice President and General Manager Phil Savage said via news release. ''Joe continues to be a model of consistency and Shaun has played at a high level all season.''
In addition to Rogers and Thomas, Joshua Cribbs was named a first alternate as kick returner and a first alternate as a special teams players, kicker Phil Dawson was named a second alternate and linebacker D'Qwell Jackson and left guard Eric Steinbach were named third alternates at their respective positions.
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
BEREA: Sometimes a strong individual effort can stand out from a collective mess and sometimes reputation alone is enough when it comes to honors.
Either way, despite the Browns' record dropping to 4-10 after Monday night's disheartening 30-10 loss at Philadelphia, the team managed to land a pair of starters on the 2008 Pro Bowl roster.
Announced late Tuesday afternoon, defensive tackle Shaun Rogers and offensive tackle Joe Thomas were named to the first team.
Rogers will make his third appearance in the Pro Bowl, having previously played while with Detroit following the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
''It's a pleasure and a privilege,'' Rogers said. ''It's always good to be recognized by your peers as somebody who is at the top of their game right now and someone who is a competitor.''
In his first season with the Browns after being traded from the Lions, Rogers leads all Browns defensive linemen with 72 tackles, including 51 solo. He also leads the team with 41/2 sacks, 15 quarterback pressures, seven tackles for a loss and has blocked two kicks.
''Rogers has come in here — even though some people felt like he wasn't a good fit, didn't have the right attitude, didn't play hard all the time — but he's done a great job for us,'' Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. ''He's been an impact on this team, not only on the football field but also in the locker room.''
Thomas, making his second consecutive trip to Hawaii after his rookie showing in 2007, was named the Pro Bowl starter at left tackle for the AFC despite what many consider a drop-off from last season.
''It's obviously very exciting,'' Thomas said. ''I'm very proud to be representing the Browns at my second Pro Bowl.''
When asked if Thomas was having as good of a season as he did last year, Crennel replied: ''There were a couple plays yesterday that he could have done better on. But he was voted into the Pro Bowl, so I'm going to hang my hat on that.''
Playing on the Browns oftentimes struggling front line this season, Thomas admitted this season has proven tougher than was his rookie year.
''This has been a tough season because of the losses and not playing well,'' he said. ''We feel like we're still a good team, we just haven't played up to expectations.
''Myself, I feel like I have improved over last year. But due to the quality of opponents that our team has played and the different defensive ends I've had to face week in and week out was much higher level as the previous year.''
Regardless of why Rogers and Thomas were chosen, the embattled Browns must be glad to have some good news to talk about in a season that's otherwise forgettable.
''We are happy and proud of Joe and Shaun for being selected to this year's Pro Bowl,'' Browns Senior Vice President and General Manager Phil Savage said via news release. ''Joe continues to be a model of consistency and Shaun has played at a high level all season.''
In addition to Rogers and Thomas, Joshua Cribbs was named a first alternate as kick returner and a first alternate as a special teams players, kicker Phil Dawson was named a second alternate and linebacker D'Qwell Jackson and left guard Eric Steinbach were named third alternates at their respective positions.
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 03:45 PM, 12/17/2008
What a joke! Rogers I can see, hands down! But Thomas? No way! He's had an awful year. Cribbs should be going as well as Dawson.
barberton, oh
Posted 08:42 PM, 12/17/2008
I think Shaun should B showing these guyz how 2 play, for keeps. I've never seen so many imposters in my life. U can see that nobody cares on here either, 2 comments, WOW ....
