Browns at it again

[Ghost]

If you have a couple of minutes, this is worth a read: Thank goodness we don't have to deal with this cluster F, hot mess, madness.

[URL]http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/25038103/browns-mess-with-gordon-manziel-starts-with-owner-haslams-mismanagement[/URL]


"The culture in the Browns building is toxic, I'm told. Morale is beyond low. If you can flee, you are fleeing. There is no shortage of individuals throughout that organization who would, like former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, get the hell out of there if at all possible. There's an overwhelming sense of dread about the future"

[RuthlessBurgher]

A friend of mine in college was a stripper at a gay club, did tons of crack, lost a kidney on a bet, married a donkey, and threw every cent he had off of his balcony - thus leaving him with no money to complete his education.

I knew that you lived in Toronto, but I didn't realize that you were good friends with Mayor Ford!

[RuthlessBurgher]

If you have a couple of minutes, this is worth a read: Thank goodness we don't have to deal with this cluster F, hot mess, madness.

[URL]http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/25038103/browns-mess-with-gordon-manziel-starts-with-owner-haslams-mismanagement[/URL]


"The culture in the Browns building is toxic, I'm told. Morale is beyond low. If you can flee, you are fleeing. There is no shortage of individuals throughout that organization who would, like former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, get the hell out of there if at all possible. There's an overwhelming sense of dread about the future"

Thank the lord that Haslam is now far, far away from the Steeler offices. Talk about hot garbage.

[NorthCoast]

Thank the lord that Haslam is now far, far away from the Steeler offices. Talk about hot garbage.

Haslam sounds like the anti-Rooney. Fire anyone that looks at him wrong or has a difference opinion. He clearly learned nothing from the Rooney's on how to build a successful football franchise.

But.. it's all good, cause they are the Browns.

[pfelix73]

What I fear and think will happen though, is this: Everyone seems to be assuming that the deflate gate really only happened against the Colts, in which case it was obvious it did not change the outcome of that game. So I think many will assume that a small fine is enough punishment for something so "minor" that really didn't impact that one game. But if the cheaters have been doing this for years, then it's had a much more profound impact on their record. The statistics on their lack of fumbles for the past several years - compared to the rest of the league - does make you wonder.

Well, if you believe the data that was put out regarding the RB's and the lack of fumbles compared to the rest of the league, like I do, then we're gonna see the s@#t hitting the fan pretty soon.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Well, if you believe the data that was put out regarding the RB's and the lack of fumbles compared to the rest of the league, like I do, then we're gonna see the s@#t hitting the fan pretty soon.

I wouldn't count on it. I don't expect anything but a Spygate-type coverup all over again from this Commish.

[papillon]

I have to bump this thread just because its the Browns and its always fun to read about their woes. I do have to say this for their fans though, they have to be some of the best, I'm not sure I could tolerate the mismanagement of the roster, coaching staff and team year after year.

This past draft was set up for them to make giant strides in becoming a good football team. Pettine seemed like a great option at coach and they had 2 picks in the top 22. If you simply list the top 35 players in no particular order and pick two names without looking when its your selection you would have to do better than Gilbert and Manziel. You have to try to screw up that situation and evidently, they did.

These guys (Gilbert and Manziel) could turn it around, but man it seems unlikely.

Pappy

[hawaiiansteel]

Brian Hoyer: All options are open

Updated: February 7, 2015,
By Pat McManamon | ESPN.com

CLEVELAND -- Quarterback Brian Hoyer conceded that the NFL's text-message investigation involving the Cleveland Browns' front office could affect his thinking if he becomes a free agent.

"To read the stories and see what's going on, I'm just as interested as you guys are to see where that comes out," Hoyer said Saturday after making an appearance at the Home and Garden Show in Cleveland. "Especially because when you read it has to do with the quarterback situation and play calling. That's something that could affect how I feel about it.

"For me, I'm looking forward to see what comes out of that."

Hoyer stressed, though, that all options are on the table regarding his future.



Brian Hoyer's 10-6 record is the only winning mark for a Browns quarterback since 1999.

"And obviously, Cleveland has a big place in my heart," he said.

Hoyer's statement about the text messages came in response to a question about the league looking into texting from the Browns' front office to the coaching staff and sidelines, a violation of league rules. ESPN has confirmed reports from CBSSports.com and Cleveland.com that general manager Ray Farmer is being investigated for sending texts to former quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains in the press box and to an unidentified team employee on the sidelines regarding use of personnel, strategy and play calling.

A suspension for Farmer, a loss of a draft pick and a fine for the team are among the possible sanctions, league sources confirmed to ESPN.

"I'm not going to comment any more other than the fact that I'm just as interested as you all are to see where that goes," Hoyer said.

Hoyer started the Browns' first 13 games this past season and at one point had the team at 7-4. When he struggled against the Colts, the Browns turned to Johnny Manziel, who was woeful in a 30-0 loss to the Bengals.

Manziel now has admitted himself into rehab to reassess his values, a source close to him said. Hoyer said he admired Manziel for his decision, especially given that Manziel is so much in the public eye.

"It takes a big person to take those steps," Hoyer said. "I'm hoping for the best for him."

Hoyer added it was "disappointing" to know Josh Gordon was suspended for the season. Hoyer added that it was difficult to compare the Browns' front-office dysfunction to that of the only other team he spent a lot of time with -- the Patriots -- one considered the model of stability.

"So I really can't compare it to that," Hoyer said, adding he'd "be lying" to say he was unaware of any issues.

"But to the extent, I had no idea," he said.

The resignation of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan with two years left on his contract, Hoyer said, speaks for itself.

"You don't just leave a job to leave," he said.

Hoyer has met new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo but has not talked with Farmer since the season ended. Hoyer added he would be open to returning to the Browns and emphasized all options are open. But Hoyer said he believes he's proven he can win as an NFL quarterback (his 10-6 record is the only winning mark for a Browns quarterback since 1999).

"I'm from here," Hoyer said. "Would it be great to stay here? Sure. But if it's not the best place to be at this point in my career, I'm going to have to make tough decisions."

[URL]http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12293418/brian-hoyer-cleveland-browns-says-nfl-text-message-investigation-affect-future[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

Jimmy Haslam says Browns not a mess, with a straight face

Posted by Darin Gantt on February 11, 2015



Browns owner Jimmy Haslam met with Cleveland area reporters Wednesday, backed his people, and even found time to tell a joke.

Asked about recent reports that the Browns are a dysfunctional mess (as opposed to the last decade and change’s worth of such reports), Haslam said he didn’t see a problem.

“We work extremely well together,” Haslam said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Obviously.

Perhaps now that offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan bailed after a year for greener pastures, all the dysfunction is gone.

Haslam also threw his support behind embattled General Manager Ray Farmer and quarterback Johnny Manziel.

He said the investigation into Farmer sending texts to coaches on the sidelines didn’t change Farmer’s standing with the team.

Likewise, he took the high road on quarterback Johnny Manziel, who is in a rehab facility after a tumultuous rookie year.

“It’s way too early to give up on Johnny,” Haslam said.

It’s the only thing he can say at the moment, after sinking a pair of first-rounders on quarterbacks the last three years, hoping one of them turns into something.

[URL]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/11/jimmy-haslam-says-browns-not-a-mess-with-a-straight-face/[/URL]

[RuthlessBurgher]

Jimmy Haslam says Browns not a mess, with a straight face

Compared to the Pilot/Flying J scheme to defraud truck drivers, the Browns are awesome!

[hawaiiansteel]

Jimmy Haslam says Justin Gilbert needs to mature

Posted by Michael David Smith on February 14, 2015

Johnny Manziel isn’t the only 2014 first-round draft pick of the Browns who needs to show he’s fully dedicated to football.

Justin Gilbert, the cornerback whom the Browns selected with the eighth overall pick in last year’s draft, was also criticized during the season for not working hard enough. Now Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is saying he wants to see Gilbert prove that he’s committed.

“Justin clearly needs to mature,” Haslam said, via Ohio.com. “I’m not telling you anything I hadn’t told him in the past and hopefully he’ll be able to do that.”

Haslam said he still thinks big things are coming from Gilbert, even if Gilbert didn’t do much as a rookie.

“But we’re fully supportive of Justin,” Haslam said. “He’s a very gifted athlete and you saw a flash of it [when he returned an interception for a touchdown] in the Indianapolis game. [You] could argue that was maybe the best play we had all year. So he’s clearly gifted, and we hope he can mature and understand what it means to be a professional. And it’s a long year and long days. It’s much different from college, where I think the work week’s 20 hours, plus you play a game on Saturday. You play 12 games versus 16. The adjustment for some of these rookies is tough.”

Haslam thinks it’s unfair to write off Gilbert and Manziel just yet.

“I think the jury is still out, despite the struggles they had at the end of the year, on our two first-round picks,” Haslam said. “We’ve not given up on them at all. We still think they can be contributors to the team, maybe outstanding contributors. I think after one year with 22-year-old individuals, it’s a little quick to write them off. Now if we’re sitting here two years from now and they haven’t contributed, that’s fair game and comment.”

Haslam is right that Manziel and Gilbert can’t be labeled busts after one year. But he’s also right that Gilbert, like Manziel, needs to mature. Or else they will be labeled as busts in a year or two.

[URL]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/14/jimmy-haslam-says-justin-gilbert-needs-to-mature/[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

The Browns will "take a real run" at Sam Bradford via a trade. - Jason Cole, Yahoo!

[URL]http://www.walterfootball.com/nflrumors.php[/URL]

[Discipline of Steel]

Compared to the Pilot/Flying J scheme to defraud truck drivers, the Browns are awesome!

How interesting...i had to look this scheme up. Very funny RB!
Apparently, Jimmy Haslam also runs Flying J...another rich guy who just bends the rules as he sees fit.
It does not set a very good example for his pair of 'immature' first rounders and makes him kind of a hypocrite.
Is this an example of how the leaders poor values are being reflected throughout his organization?
When is Haslam going to grow up and realize that?

On a side note, i dont understand why they didnt stick with Hoyer, who has delivered the only winning record (10-6) among recent Browns QBs.
Now they have done just enough chasing the Manziel dream to probably drive Hoyer right out of town on the first bus.
Im betting Haslam has a hand in this debacle as well.

[Slapstick]

He does. Supposedly, Manziel was Haslam's choice, by some accounts overriding his FO people who liked Bridgewater...

Also, he apparently had good offers on the table for Josh Gordon (both before and during the season prior to the trade deadline) and vetoed them...

[RuthlessBurgher]

Apparently a homeless man told Haslam the Browns should draft Manziel and that was good enough for him.

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=nflnation&id=125880&src=desktop& rand=ref~%7B"ref"%3A"https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com% 2F"%7D