Haslam: Browns Less of Players in FA; Farmer, Manziel etc

Jimmy Haslam decided to have what seems like an impromptu session with some local Cleveland Browns media members. Some very interesting things came out of it, on a variety of subjects. We will give you the information, via Twitter, then our thoughts about each subject that Haslam covered.

Free Agency

Haslam says Browns will be "less a player" in free agency than in last two years (Kruger, Bryant, WHitner, Dansby).
— Steve Doerschuk (@sdoerschukREP) February 11, 2015

Not exactly what we expected to hear, nor what fans want to hear. This could be Haslam trying to throw out some smoke. The team has over $50 million in cap space and not a lot of players in the near future that will need to be re-signed, a few but not many. Hopefully this is just smoke and the team is able to attack some holes in free agency. Fans thought the Browns went cheap in free agency the last few years, less isn’t going to feel good.

Ray Farmer

Jimmy Haslam confirmed Ray Farmer was guilty of texting. He said Farmer apologized privately and said Farmer's job is safe.
— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) February 11, 2015

I asked Haslam if Farmer wants Player A but he wants Player B, which one becomes a Brown and Haslam said it is 100% Ray Farmer's call
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) February 11, 2015

So officially the issue was Ray Farmer texting but it will not impact Farmer’s job, no surprise as the Browns were aware of the investigation for awhile. It is great that Haslam is saying it is 100% Farmer’s call to draft a player but does he follow through with that?

Johnny Manziel

Haslam: #Browns will do more thorough job of background checks on potential draft picks...He said Manziel pick was strictly football driven.
— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) February 11, 2015

#Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said business side had nothing to do with decision to start Johnny Manziel. Was coach Mike Pettine's alone.
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) February 11, 2015

Haslam emphatically saying benching Hoyer, playing Manziel was Pettine's call: "He, he, he...did you hear me say 'he' ... made the decision"
— Steve Doerschuk (@sdoerschukREP) February 11, 2015

#Browns Haslam said organization still believes Johnny Manziel can be a quality NFL starter: "It's way to early to give up on Johnny.''
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 11, 2015

#Browns Haslam said he's proud of Johnny Manziel for entering treatment. Said front office still believes he can be successful starter.
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) February 11, 2015

#Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said team didn't mandate rehab for Johnny Manziel. Said he has no expectation for when Manziel would rejoin team.
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) February 11, 2015

A few things that Haslam wanted to make sure were very, very clear here: He didn’t try to force Mike Pettine to start Johnny Manziel, Manziel could still be the team’s QB of the future and rehab was a good idea, but they didn’t force him. Feels a lot like Haslam pushed a lot of the Manziel stuff off of himself, which is fine if accurate but terrible if not.

Wreck This League

Haslam called former QB coach Dowell Loggains infamous story about Manziel texting him during draft as "inaccurate." #Browns
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) February 11, 2015

Wait so Loggains admitted to, then apologized for making public, the "wreck this league" text and now Haslam said it never happened?
— Andrea Hangst (@FBALL_Andrea) February 11, 2015

Just going to leave those both right there. What do you think about Haslam’s statement about Loggains?

Brian Hoyer & Other Quarterbacks

Haslam said team fully committed to finding franchise QB. Said that player could be on roster, time will tell. #Browns
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) February 11, 2015

More Haslam: Hoyer "a potential option at quarterback, just like a lot of other people are."
— Steve Doerschuk (@sdoerschukREP) February 11, 2015

Glad to hear that Hoyer is still an option if only because there are very few other options out there. Haslam’s thoughts that Manziel could still be in the Browns future could play a negative role in recruiting Hoyer, or any other free agent QB. Also not sure I, or most analysts, have confidence in whoever “a lot of other people” that are potential QB options out there.

Alec Scheiner

Haslam denied report that @scheiner_alec watches film with HC Mike Pettine; Scheiner does watch film with Ray Farmer "to learn"
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) February 11, 2015

Almost as if Haslam was going through the CBS Sports report about all the problems with the Cleveland Browns and checking them off. So Scheiner watches film with the GM not the head coach. If I was in position to get to watch NFL Game Film with the GM, or coach even, of an NFL team I would take that chance to. Whether that means Scheiner ever gets a say in football decision is another thing.

Josh Gordon

Haslam said team is disappointed in Josh Gordon. No plans to cut him in near future. #Browns
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) February 11, 2015

We all are and there is no reason for Gordon to be cut anytime soon. It is not a further consequence for him and it doesn’t impact the Browns at all this season. Worst case scenario is they cut him after being reinstated. Best case is they get one of the best young WRs in football back after next season.

Jordan Cameron

#Browns Haslam said the team is talking to all its potential free agents, including TE Jordan Cameron. Said report he wants out inaccurate
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) February 11, 2015

Cameron may not want out but at a minimum he is interested in moving out West to be closer to family. It is good that the Browns have talked to all of their free agents, no reason not to. Maybe Haslam said they won’t be as big of a player in free agency because they plan to bring their own guys back. Not that it would satisfy all of their needs, or the fans, but that could be a big help to continuity.

Mike Pettine

Last blip from Haslam: Gave big but not way-over-the-top endorsement to Pettine. Praises HC's calm amid Manziel, Gordon, text storms
— Steve Doerschuk (@sdoerschukREP) February 11, 2015

A little different tweet here as it isn’t anything close to a direct quote but many feel pretty confident in Mike Pettine and it seems that includes Haslam. Pettine made some rookie coach mistakes but those are fixable, the general tone of the team was positive and that is huge moving forward.

Training Camp

#Browns Haslam says training camp will be held in Berea again this year.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 11, 2015

In other tweets Haslam did note that the team could look at Columbus, and have had conversations about having Camp there already. For now it is Berea or bust.

Team Overall

#Browns Haslam said he understands no one will trust him until the team wins consistently.
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) February 11, 2015

Haslam: "I don't want people to think everything is great. It's not hunky dory." #Browns
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) February 11, 2015

Haslam said he spends about half his time on #Browns matters; said "healthy debate is positive"
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) February 11, 2015

#Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said it's a misconception coaches, execs want out of here b/c it's dysfunctional. Said key people like it here.
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) February 11, 2015

So basically: Everything is fine but not “hunky dory.” It is good to have healthy debate but division and different agendas do not work for professional sports teams.

The End

A lot of information came out all at once and we did our best to bring it to you in one big package that could be digested. Jimmy Haslam said a ton of things. Just like Johnny Manziel and Josh Gordon: Show us don’t tell us.

What do you think of Jimmy Haslam’s conversation with Browns media today?

More from Dawg Pound Daily

Home/Browns News

Haslam: Browns Less of Players in FA; Farmer Guilty/Safe and More

By Jared Mueller | Feb 11, 2015

More from Dawg Pound Daily