Mack is just ready to get to work

Cleveland Browns general manager George Kokinis, left, and
head coach Eric Mangini answer questions regarding the NFL
Draft, Saturday, April 25, 2009, in Berea, Ohio. The Browns
made three trades in the first round before selecting California
center Alex Mack at No. 21. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Now that the NFL Draft is over for Alex Mack, he can finally get down to the business of getting ready for his rookie year.

After being on a four-month interview, where everything about him has been scrutinized and analyzed, he's just ready to get on the field and do what he loves to do - play football.

In a released statement after being selected by the Cleveland Browns, he expressed happiness and gratitude for being the highest drafted center in the last decade.  "Playing in the NFL is a dream come true and I am thrilled to be a Cleveland Brown," said Mack from Berkeley on Saturday.

He added, "I am so thankful to Coach Mangini, Mr. Kokinis, Coach Warhop and the rest of the Brown’s organization for choosing me.  I am also honored to have the chance to be able to play in front of some of the best fans in the nation.  I know that the draft is just the first step, and I am eager to start working so I can be ready to contribute in 2009."

While Mack isn't from Ohio, he said he has a lot of family that lives in the state.  He remembers visiting as a kid, but doesn't know for sure what part of the state he was in.

I don't know, actually. I flew into Cleveland and then drove out there, but I was a little kid, so I didn't actually do it myself. Unfortunately, I have no idea. But as far as I'm concerned, I've been to Ohio, and I like the people so I'm fired up to be back in Ohio where my family is from.

One thing that Browns fans can be happy about is that Mack is no stranger to work.  While it is a testament to the type of player he is by being the first pick of the Mangini Era, he's just happy that they thought enough of him to draft him.  "I'm just ready to get to work and do the best that I can," said Mack.  "It's always good to have a coach that has faith in me, and I hope to fulfill his expectations."

Alex was our highest-rated center, and there was a consensus in the draft room on him throughout whole process.  This guy is the best center to fit what we want to do.  He's tough. He's smart. He fits what we believed in.
- Browns GM George Kokinis on drafting Mack

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