LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Looking at the faces around the table at a bowling alley nestled inside of a local GameWorks, Willie McGinest's decision seems natural, if not easy.

Sitting with his father, Willie McGinest Sr.; mother, Joyce; sisters, Lisa and Tanisha; fiancé, Gloriana; and daughters, Rylie, 3, and Halie, 1, celebrating the third annual Willie McGinest Day in his hometown of Long Beach, the veteran linebacker concedes this will likely be the last time he'll enjoy this day as an active player.

"This will be it," says McGinest, entering the final season of a three-year contract he signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2006. "This will be my 15th season. I've worked hard; I think I've done everything I set out to accomplish. The hard work, sacrifice, dedication -- I committed myself to doing it the right way and playing it the right way. I've been blessed to play with some of the best players in the world and play against some of the best in the world. I think 15 years going strong I've held my own."

While there have been players in the past who have retired only to end up regretting it soon after -- like Junior Seau, who retired after a 16-year career only to sign four days later with the New England Patriots -- McGinest says he won't have any regrets about his decision after this season is over.

Last weekend's rookie minicamp offered Martin Rucker just a taste of what's to come.

"It's definitely not college anymore," Rucker said Friday, just after his first NFL practice. "Everything's a lot faster. The coaches are a lot more demanding. You're a freshman all over again."

That his head is spinning now makes him a pretty typical rookie. But part of the Browns' attraction to the player who became their second of two fourth-round picks is that plenty of things point to Rucker fitting in - and contributing - sooner rather than later.

His brother, Mike, just retired after a successful 10-year NFL career as a defensive end. Martin Rucker was a four-year contributor and a major part of a successful turnaround at the University of Missouri; he leaves as the school's all-time leader in receptions. He's certainly big and athletic enough to play in the NFL, and the Browns drafted a good person as well.

"What I'll say about his character is that when he comes into your locker room, you're already a better football team," Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel said. "He was a captain for us. He learns well. He's athletic, a big playmaker. He made big plays, big catches in tough situations.

"He's a complete player. I have no question he'll be a very high level player in the NFL."

BEREA — The Cleveland Browns held a three-day minicamp over the weekend for its five rookie draft picks, 15 undrafted free-agent signees and 54 players who were invited to tryout for the team.

Browns head coach Romeo Crennel and his staff will sift through the pool of talent like a gold miner panning for gold in search of a hidden gem.

After one day of practice, rookie sixth-round pick WR Paul Hubbard is starting to glitter and members of the organization believe that the team may have struck gold with the player.

On Day 2 of practice, Hubbard continued to impress the coaching staff and was nearly flawless with his performance.

The 6-foot-3, 221-pound receiver caught the ball exceptionally well, snagging a number of passes thrown behind him for the reception. Hubbard ran routes like Magellan and showed good acceleration.

A speed guy

He was explosive off the line and was very effective running the ball after the catch. Hubbard did a nice job fighting off press-coverage and got good separation between him and the defender. His overall performance was stellar.

Seven of the 54 players the Browns brought to last weekend's rookie minicamp as tryout candidates are most certainly glad they came and performed as they did.

Offensive lineman Nate Bennett of Clemson, wide receiver Nate Hughes of Alcorn State, defensive back Milvon James of UNLV, defensive back Damon Jenkins of Fresno State, linebacker Asa Matthews of Northern Colorado, linebacker Xavier Mitchell of Tennessee and running back Austin Scott of Penn State were signed to the Browns' roster after standout performances over the weekend.

Bennett was a four-year starter for the Tigers at guard.

Hughes caught 161 passes for 2,415 yards as a four-year starter for the Braves. Also a return specialist, Hughes led his conference in all purpose yards in 2007, racking up 160.6 yards per game.

James was a two-year starter for the Rebels after transferring from UCLA. He led the nation in pass breakups with 19 in 2007. He joins fellow UNLV alums Eric Wright and Beau Bell on the Browns' defense.

BEREA: Phil Savage almost didn't survive his first year as Browns general manager.

In December 2005, he found himself caught in a power struggle with team President John Collins that owner Randy Lerner later compared to ''a marriage gone bad.'' Savage was saved by a groundswell of support from fans who remembered him slaving in a windowless room for then-Browns coach Bill Belichick and valued his skills as a talent evaluator.

When Savage signed a three-year contract extension Friday that runs through the 2012 season, he made more than one reference to the loyal followers who came to his rescue.

''I've had unbelievable support. I've got to be the first GM in the history of the league to put a team out there that got beat 41-0 in a home game on Christmas Eve and the fans come out and say, 'This is the guy we want to run our football team,' '' Savage said.

He also acknowledged the difficult task he and coach Romeo Crennel assumed when they came to Cleveland in early 2005. The expansion Browns went 30-66 with one playoff appearance under coaches Chris Palmer and Butch Davis in 1999-2004.

''I'm hopeful we're through the difficult part,'' Savage said. ''People don't realize what a re-clamation project this was, what state the Browns were really in. We've deconstructed the house and now we're kind of reconstructing it and making it into the image we want it to be.