GREEN BAY -- When it comes to left tackles, Joe Thomas is about as good as they come.

But the Cleveland Browns? At 1-5, they're among the NFL's worst teams heading into their game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday in Cleveland.

"It's really important not to look at what your record is or who you're playing," Thomas said Wednesday during a conference call with Wisconsin reporters, "but to just focus on what you need to do and focus on taking care of your job week in and week out and doing everything you can to help your team win."

The 6-foot-6, 312-pound Thomas, a Brookfield native and former University of Wisconsin standout, is one of the few bright spots on a Cleveland team that is ranked second-to-last in the league in total offense and dead last in total defense. The Browns' offensive line is breaking in three new starters this season in rookie center Alex Mack, ninth-year right guard Floyd Womack and 10th-year right tackle John St. Clair. Thomas, in his third season, has yet to miss a snap as a professional.

"He's a talented guy. He was voted captain this year, which to me is a real sign of maturity and respect by your teammates," first-year Browns coach Eric Mangini said. "I've enjoyed working with him, and I think he's good for a guy like Alex Mack."

Thomas said he has 73 people coming from Wisconsin to Sunday's game, which forced him to talk to the Browns' ticket office last spring.

There were rumors circulating ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline that he wouldn't be in Cleveland for the game. One such rumor had Thomas coming to the Packers in exchange for outside linebacker Aaron Kampman, an idea Thomas heard about from some friends.

"I think as the trade deadline gets closer, a lot of peoples' names get thrown out there," he said. "I don't know what the interest for me was, but obviously it's flattering that somebody in Green Bay did want me. That's a nice thing, but I'm very happy out here in Cleveland and happy to be playing for the Browns."

Flu bug bites Browns

Mangini said during his conference call that 12 Browns players missed practice with the flu. The team's injury report listed 11 players as having missed practice with an illness, a group that included Mack, nose tackle Shaun Rogers, outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley and former Packers defensive lineman Corey Williams.

Mangini did not yet know if the players had the H1N1 strain.

"We will test for that, and we're contacting the league about it," he said.

Mangini said while the team is sending home players who show any symptoms, he was planning on cutting back on practice time. The league has a policy in place for swine flu occurrences, with the possibility of up to eight roster exemptions for teams with at least six players sidelined by suspected or confirmed cases.

"It's just another challenge to work through," Mangini said.

From the Green Bay infirmary

Left tackle Chad Clifton did not participate in practice after re-injuring his right ankle against the Lions. McCarthy wasn't giving up on having him for Sunday.

"He feels he's a lot further ahead than he was last time that he injured it," McCarthy said. "We'll see how he is in the morning and maybe shoot for Friday."

Fullback Quinn Johnson (ankle), center Jason Spitz (back) and defensive end Jarius Wynn (hamstring) also did not participate. Right tackle Mark Tauscher (knee) was limited, while defensive lineman B.J. Raji (ankle) and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (foot) were full participants. Rodgers wasn't exactly worried.

"It's not an issue," he said. "You guys have nothing to write about about that. I practiced today. It's not going to be an issue."

Fullback Korey Hall (calf) and receiver Jordy Nelson (knee) were both listed as out.

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