BEREA - For assorted reasons, Cleveland sports fans are wary of stars from the East.

Back when Indians fans were starved for even a retread hero, they latched onto a hope that New York Mets icon Keith Hernandez at least represented credibility. Hernandez arrived exuding indifference. He became one of the most reviled blowhards in franchise history.

Walt Frazier, who strutted through the New York Knicks’ golden era, wasn’t as bad as Hernandez in his shift with the Cavaliers, but he was a real dud.

Bill Belichick did it to Browns fans, who hoped for more from the New York Giants coordinator than four losing seasons and a move to Baltimore.

It remains to be seen whether Willie McGinest will be different, now that his time in New England has passed.

It’s clear he wants to be.

It’s clear by the way McGinest insinuates disgust that the Patriots not only let him go, but thought little enough of his 12 seasons and four Super Bowl runs to let drive-by Patriot Junior Seau take his No. 55.

It could be argued that McGinest is petty to suppose his number should be retired.

It also can be argued that it reflects an intense and useful pride that will transfer to his new team. He signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the Browns after it became clear the Patriots’ would offer much less.

The day McGinest was introduced as a Brown on March 15, he hoisted a No. 55 jersey. Seau “retired” from the NFL on Aug. 14, signed with the Patriots four days later and has been assigned No. 55.

Belichick, of course, has emerged as the superstar coach of the Patriots. He was McGinest’s coach from 2000-05.

“Belichick called me and asked my permission (for Seau to wear No. 55),” McGinest said Monday. “Later, Seau called. We didn’t speak, but he left a message.

“I don’t think that’s a decision Belichick should have had to make. Or Seau. ... It’s not even a position I should have been in, to even answer that question.”

The McGinest-Seau number story is older than many Browns fans.

Seau played in 11 straight Pro Bowls as a Charger, compared to only two for McGinest.

McGinest, though, has played in four Super Bowls, three more than Seau.

Both wore No. 55 at Southern Cal.

Seau was a No. 5 overall draft pick, by the Chargers, in 1990. McGinest was a No. 4 overall pick, by the Patriots, in 1994.

Seau played in his only Super Bowl in that 1994 season. McGinest played in Super Bowls capping the 1996, 2001, 2003 and 2004 campaigns. He clearly sees his contribution to the Patriots as on par with Seau’s to the Chargers.

“What if I would have signed with San Diego?” McGinest said. “I don’t think it would have even been an option to ask for 55.

“I think they would have said ... like, ‘You know what, you’re a great player and we respect you, but we’re kind of putting this number to the side because of Junior. I probably would have gone back to my high school number (95).

“Junior started (No. 55) at S.C. He made it what it is today, and he passed it down to me. He had his legacy with it where he was. I created mine where I was, so ...”

McGinest said Belichick was “kind of uncomfortable” when he called regarding Seau wearing No. 55.

“I don’t want to repeat exactly what I said,” McGinest said, adding he and Belichick “have a great deal of respect for each other.”

McGinest bristled at the New England company line that letting McGinest go was a business decision. Of letting Seau have No. 55, he said, “That’s just another indication that they were making a ‘quote-unquote’ business move.”

McGinest spoke of the issue with passion, with sweat rolling off his forehead after the Browns’ Monday morning practice.

Some of the old worries about stars from the East have attached to him, in that he will turn 35 in December, is coming off surgery to remove bone chips from an elbow and has been held out of both preseason games.

He seems convinced he will be the kind of outside linebacker the Browns were hoping for. He doesn’t promise he’ll play in either of the remaining two preseason games. He is focused on the Sept. 10 season opener against the Saints

“I’ll be out on the field,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for 13 years. I’m working hard, getting my reads, getting stronger.

“Everything’s getting better every day. I mean, I don’t know what the state of emergency is.

“I assure you, everything’s going great.”

McGinest ranks first in NFL history with 16 playoff sacks, including a 4 1/2-sack game earlier this year against the Jaguars.

Was that proof to him that old Willie still can be the Willie of old?

“I don’t need a good day in the office to know I’ve still got a lot left in the tank,” he said. “If I feel like I’m not being productive, I wouldn’t be signing multiyear deals here or anywhere else.”

If only he begins to play as forcefully as he talks.

Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it