Bowens named defensive captain

11.20.2009

With linebackers and captains Eric Barton and D'Qwell Jackson out for the season due to injuries, Browns head coach Eric Mangini announced the defense had elected a new leader Thursday afternoon.

Eleven-year NFL veteran David Bowens was chosen by his teammates to fill the role of captain for the remainder of the season.

"It speaks volumes considering the people we already had out there, Robaire (Smith), Shaun (Rogers), Abe (Elam)," said Bowens. "Guys like that are natural leaders. I'm very overwhelmed and humbled with the fact that those guys look up to me as a leader."

"I personally think it's a really good choice," said Mangini. "He's a guy that I've known for a while. He's played multiple positions and he's played them all well. He's always been someone that whatever you ask him to do, he's going to do it and he's going to do it to the best of his ability."

Over his 11-year career, Bowens has made 30 starts. Bowens, who did not start a game in his first 5 seasons, has started all but 1 game for the Browns this season.

"I can completely understand why he's played so long," Mangini said. "He's got a great approach in-season; He's got a great approach during the offseason. He is really smart, so he could fit into any system. He's got toughness. He can rush the passer. He can do a lot of things, so the longevity part I completely understand. Why he didn't play more early on, that I'm not sure. I would've loved to have him. I love having him now."

When Barton was placed on Injured Reserve, Bowens was moved inside to help anchor the defense. Bowens giving up his natural position of outside linebacker has opened the door for Jason Trusnik to be the edge rusher opposite Kamerion Wimbley.

"He's going to try to make those around him better," Mangini said of Bowens. "Going from an outside linebacker to an inside linebacker, being responsible for the huddle, being responsible for making all of the checks for the front seven, that's not easy. I think he's done it really well.

"You're always trying to find good roles for him if he wasn't going to be the starter," added Mangini. "He always had a period in the game where he may go in for 2 or 3 series. He'd have a designated role in dime defense where he was in each series for that. He worked on the goal line and that position flexibility I would imagine probably came to well over 20 plays a game."

Bowens had a strong effort in Monday night's 16-0 loss to the Ravens. He had a game-high 9 total tackles, including 7 solo efforts. Bowens also tied a career-high with 2 quarterback sacks on the Ravens' Joe Flacco.

As a member of the Dolphins, Bowens had 2 sacks in a 33-21 win over the Raiders on November 27, 2005. Bowens also had 2 quarterback sacks in a 56-35 win over the Cardinals on September 28, 2008.