Where did Ray Farmer go wrong?

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from the previous week, and previewed all of this week’s games including a detailed analysis of the Browns game.

It is my experience that when someone in the room thinks they are the smartest person there, they are not even in the running for that honor.

I think that is part of Browns GM Ray Farmer’s problem. He thinks he is smarter than the other NFL General Managers.

Ray was too busy to bother to go to the pro day of CB Justin Gilbert. If he had he might have over heard Gilbert tell a team scout that asked him to return some punts “watch the film.” That scout took Gilbert off his team’s board. Ray would have been more secure in his position to have done the same thing.

Ray was too busy to bother to go to the pro day of QB Johnny Manziel. If Ray had taken the time he might have found out about Manziel’s attitude about blow up swans, liquor and parties in front of people taking videos.

Gilbert has been a healthy scratch despite multiple injuries at … Read more at FryingPanSports

What to do about Johnny?

Manziel (2)

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from the previous week, previewed all week 9 games and discussed the Browns/Bengals game.

Now that Johnny Manziel has played 2 games this season the question is what should we do about Johnny? Should the Browns go back and play veteran Josh McCown or let Manziel play the rest of the season?

To decide it is necessary to take a look at what has been learned about Manziel’s progress learning the NFL game.

What we saw in the Bengal game last night was a player that was more accurate throwing on the run. That was a good thing because he was harassed all evening because of a pathetic O line performance. He was also more able to keep his eyes down field under pressure. That allowed throws down field against the rush. That is a key ability.

He has adequate arm strength to be an NFL starter. And he is getting better at moving safeties away from his intended targets. While he does this on the move, he struggles to do it in the pocket.

All that is good. However, there … Read more at FryingPanSports

What I would do to fix the Browns.

Roadkill

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from week 7, our views of all week 7 games including the Browns/Rams.

It is clear to anyone with a half a brain (not sure that includes GM Ray Farmer) that the Browns are headed for another bad season. Can the season be turned around? I doubt it but here is my prescription to try to fix the situation.

1. Fire GM Ray Farmer TODAY! – He clearly has no idea what it takes to put a competitive NFL roster together. Ray, the NFL is a passing game. A passing game requires a franchise QB and WRS that are taller than 4’2” and heaver than 100 pounds. He is now putting together the 2016 draft information and I don’t want him within 100,000,000 miles of the next draft. Get an experienced GM as a consultant to help guide the Browns 16 draft preparation and find a GM.

2. Fire DC Jim O’Neil – It was clear from the beginning that he is not qualified to be DC. He has had 2 years to figure out why the Browns can’t stop the edge … Read more at FryingPanSports

What is RIGHT with the Browns?

Flip

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from week 5, our views of all week 5 games including the Browns/Ravens. On Thursday Ken Becks of 1stdownscouting.com/1st down will join me to talk about what scouts look for in judging college players for the NFL Draft.

Every Browns fans know that the defense can’t stop the run or the pass. They have seen even very average running backs look like the 2nd coming of Jim Brown against the D. But enough of that.

Craig Lyndall in the yardbarker wrote the following:

I’m just ecstatic to see John DeFilippo use the weapons he has to their fullest. We have watched too many coaches like Pat Shurmur fail miserably to maximize what they were given over the years. In Flip, Browns fans are seeing a guy who doesn’t seem to waste any time bemoaning the lack of a true number one receiver. He also doesn’t bemoan the inability of the team to run the ball. Instead he calls 51 smart passes from Josh McCown.

Read more at:

I agree with him. On Dec. 3 of last year I wrote an article … Read more at FryingPanSports

Some guesses about what is going on with the Browns.

BrownPrac

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from week 3, our views of all week 3 games including the Browns/Raiders.

Browns GM Ray Farmer is scheduled to return to the team next Tuesday. My co-host of NNR Samantha Bunten suggested that the Browns should change the locks to the facility. I completely agree with her view and would have told Farmer not to come back. To learn why check out my article It is time for Browns GM Ray Farmer to go!

Read more at https://fryingpansports.com/#BVXpRTuWwBBtujI8.99

QB Austin Davis had his contract extended yesterday. I like Davis and wonder if the Browns think he could be a starter down the road. It is unlikely that Farmer would have extended Davis because he is hoping (and his job may depend on) Johnny Manziel proving to be a quality NFL starter. Davis has a much better chance than Johnny of developing into a quality starter. The Davis deal could also be an indication that Farmer is on very shaky ground.

WR Dwayne Bowe was inactive last week. In the few targets he has gotten, he showed a “reluctance” to go for the … Read more at FryingPanSports

It is time for Browns GM Ray Farmer to go!

Farmer

NOTE: Wednesday I am honored that Peter Brown (@peterbrownysr) joins NNR to preview NFL season. Join us on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

I really like ESPN/Cleveland’s Tony Grossi but he is a little too kind to the Browns. Those of you that have followed FPS know I have been critical of the drafts for years. That brings us to the now suspended Ray Farmer. Tony is too nice to say it but I am not. It is time for Ray to go.

The most important position in the NFL is quarterback. Prior to the 2014 draft the Browns did a study (reportedly costing around 250K) to find out which QB had the best chance to become a franchise guy. The answer was Teddy Bridgewater. So with Bridgewater on the board, the Browns moved up from 28 to 22 to take—wait for it—Johnny “Football” Manziel. Bridgewater has become a promising starter and Manziel has an affinity for blow up rubber swans. Even after the disaster vs. the Bengals Farmer refused to take a couple of QB prospects that showed promise later in the draft. There are rumors that Manziel was not Farmer’s choice. That does not matter to me. A GM has to … Read more at FryingPanSports