Cleveland Browns tap Bill Kuharich to fill in for Ray Farmer

Jul 30, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer, Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine and owner Jimmy Haslam during training camp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Bill Kuharich will oversee the Cleveland Browns’ player personnel department during general manager Ray Farmer‘s four-week suspension, the team announced on its website.

Kuharich will take over on Monday at 12:01 a.m. when Farmer officially begins his suspension for texting to coaches during games. Farmer can have no contact with anyone from the team during his suspension, which ends after the Browns’ game against San Diego on Oct. 4.

During a comparable time period last season, the Browns made 22 roster moves, leaving some to fret over what will happen this year during Farmer’s absence.

While we don’t know, we have to assume the Browns have a plan in place in case something happens. At the very least, they should have a list of players at each position, similar to a draft board, that Kuharich can just select from if something happens.

We’re not trying to minimize Farmer’s in-season role with the team, but this shouldn’t be anything that derails the season. It also helps the the Browns roster, at least at the start of the season, should be a bit more settled than last year.

“I think when you’re roster is very unsettled and you’re claiming six, seven, eight (players) and bringing those new guys in and then they have to potentially play for you, that’s tough,” head coach Mike Pettine told Northeast Ohio Media Group. “With the offseason rules, it’s difficult enough to get the guys that you have here prepared.

“When you minimize that, the better off you are, but at the same time, you’re always looking for a chance to upgrade your roster. If there’s a guy that you like that you’ve had your eye on and some teams are heavy at another position and you see it as an opportunity to upgrade, then you’re going to jump at it.”

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Kuharich joined the Browns in February of 2014 to help Farmer with his first NFL Draft as a general manager. He was named the team’s executive chief of staff in May of that year.

At the time of his promotion, the team said that Kuharich “will play a pivotal role in the organization’s personnel moves, including the college and pro scouting departments, serving as a key cog in all facets of the Browns’ process of evaluating and acquiring talent. He also will assist Farmer in key decisions, other personnel matters and the team’s overall strategic vision.”

Prior to joining the Browns, Kuharich worked for the New Orleans Saints from 1986 to 2000, serving as general manager from 1996 to 1999. He then moved on to Kansas City, working as the Chiefs’ director of pro personnel from 2000 to 2005, and as vice president of player personnel from 2005 to 2009, where he also mentored Farmer.

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