"During the preseason, Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo walked out to the 50-yard line for the coin toss all by himself. The team hadn't officially named captains yet, so Mayo took on the sole responsibility.

Sunday against the Bengals, he'll have company.

Coach Bill Belichick announced that Mayo will be a captain for 2010 once again, and be joined by nose tackle Vince Wilfork, quarterback Tom Brady and running back Kevin Faulk.

"A great selection by the team," Belichick said. "Those four guys have all been in that role before. Those four guys have done all the things you'd want your captains to do for this particular season, which is really what everything is based on. We have a lot of other good leadership on the team.""