Rogers, McDonald excited for things to come

"Yeah, I'm anxious. I think everybody's excited," McDonald said. "I think guys have been working hard in the conditioning program and we're ready to get on the field and start getting this thing turned around.

"Coach Mangini is a strong-minded guy. He's going to bring a lot to the team and hopefully we as players can catch on quickly and make some good things happen."

"We'll get to work tomorrow," Rogers said, "and then we'll start to know a little more about all that's new and where we're headed. But I think guys are excited."

The Cleveland chapter of the Pro Football Writer's Association presented their annual awards to Rogers (Team MVP) and McDonald (Good Guy Award) at the annual Akron Browns Backers Banquet Monday night.

They were joined at Tangier's by all 18 members of the Browns' rookie class. With at least 10 former players also in attendance including 2008 Cleveland Browns Legends inductees Paul Wiggin and Eric Metcalf, five decades of Browns were represented.

Rogers said he was honored to receive the MVP award, but declined to talk too much about it.

"We didn't have a great year, but a lot of what I did goes to my teammates," he said. "It's a team effort out there when I make plays."

Though much remains to be decided with a new coaching staff taking over, the defensive line is one of the Browns' most experienced groups. With Rogers returning, Corey Williams and Robaire Smith attempting to come back from injury and new faces C.J. Mosley and Kenyon Coleman in the fold, it could also be one of the Browns' best groups.

"I'm out of the prediction business," Rogers said. "But it's exciting to think if we get the guys back and get everybody going, we'll make some plays out there."

McDonald, who's entering his third pro season, will try to build on his first full year as a starter when he overcame a rough stretch at midseason to finish with 5 interceptions. With the exception of McDonald and his fellow third-year running mate Eric Wright, the Browns' cornerbacking group has been almost totally remade. Veteran free agent signees Corey Ivy and Hank Poteat join draftees Don Carey and Coye Francies and four undrafted rookies in the battle for playing time.

"I'm still a young guy, still trying to get better," McDonald said. "I just hope I can keep making progress and get ready to have a good year."

Source: clevelandbrowns.com

Rogers seems to have changed his tune, I'm sure the $6 million roster bonus he got in March helped sway him.

I look forward to seeing what BMac and EWright can do in their third season, should be exciting.