ESPN.com is reporting that defensive tackle Shaun Rogers has been a no-show for the Browns’ offseason conditioning program this week.

While the workouts are considered voluntary, Mangini has made it clear that he wants his players in attendance because it was his first chance to address the team in a group setting.

Mangini and Rogers have clashed for nearly two months when the coach initially refused to communicate with his star player, despite being in the same place on two separate occasions. Rogers didn’t take the snubs lightly, as things escalated to the point where he asked to be released from his six-year, $42 million contract.

Rogers is guaranteed a $5 million bonus this month, making the player’s release unlikely, and should earn an additional $950,000 in likely-to-be-reached incentives when he’s on the field. Mangini has since attempted to reach out to Rogers, but his absence this week makes it clear that there is still much work to be done to patch up the relationship.

The Browns absolutely need this guy in the middle of their defense so it would behoove Mangini to settle the rift as quickly as he can. I understand that Mangini doesn’t want to give into his players, but Rogers has a history of being very unmotivated in a hurry. And while that doesn’t speak well for Rogers’ professionalism, he is what he is at this point in his career.

According to NFL.com’s Adam Schefter, Shaun Rogers has asked the Browns not to pick up the $6 million bonus that is due to him next month because he’d rather be released.

Rogers has grown so disenchanted with the situation in Cleveland that he has asked the Browns not to pick up the $6 million option-bonus payment due to him next month, a source close to the defensive tackle said. Rogers would rather be released after one season with the Browns, despite still being owed another $15 million in guaranteed money.

Some of Rogers’ feelings stem back to two offseason incidents in which he believes Mangini disrespected him. The first time, Mangini walked into the Browns’ training room and failed to say hello to Rogers. The next time, at a public charity function in which both men were in the green room, neither said hello to the other, and Mangini later said he didn’t know Rogers was there.

The Browns believe that, once Rogers hears out Mangini, the same will occur. The situation will be soothed over, hard feelings will dissipate and Cleveland will have a happy defensive tackle.

Cutting Rogers would be difficult to do financially. If the Browns release Rogers, they would have to count more than $9.7 million against their salary cap.

This situation will probably blow over once the two decide to sit down and talk but either way, this isn’t a good start for Mangini. Not that a coach has to walk around and kiss everybody’s ass on the first day, but players are big on the “respect factor� and obviously Rogers feels that he has been disrespected twice already by Mangini.