Former Browns GM Ray Farmer talks understanding other teams plans

Former Cleveland Browns GM Ray Farmer spoke at the NFL Combine Seminar sharing how he tried to understand other teams plans.

The Cleveland Browns have gone through a number of front offices over the past couple of decades. Each one has it’s own fair share of negatives connected to it except the one currently in charge.

One of the many that have held control of a front office in Cleveland is Ray Farmer. Farmer was known as a very intelligent scout whose playing career, cut short by injury, could only benefit him. Coming from years with the Kansas City Chiefs front office, Farmer was hired as an assistant general manager in Cleveland in 2013 and promoted to the top job in 2014.

Like most in Browns recent history, Farmer’s tenure was brief but notable in a negative way. Fired after two seasons, Farmer is most noted for being suspended for texting coaches during games.

Of note in his player moves was the signing of Dwayne Bowe to a big contract and failing to address the wide receiver position in the draft. His biggest whiffs, however, was the drafting of Justin Gilbert (to satisfy his coach) and Johnny Manziel (to satisfy his owner) in what was a disastrous first round in 2014.

Also of note is Kyle Shanahan’s 32-point presentation to then head coach Mike Pettine to get out of his contract as the team’s offensive coordinator during Farmer’s time in charge. Shanahan has since noted that Farmer’s text gaff was one of those 32 points.

While Farmer’s time in Cleveland was full of almost all negatives, there were some positives including the drafting of Joel Bitonio and Christian Kirksey.

Farmer is still looked at as a good scout, hired last season as a scouting consultant with the Rams and being interviewed for a similar role with the Jaguars this year.

Farmer spoke at the NFL Combine Seminar discussing how he had an idea of what other teams were planning by watching every detail he could:

 

Farmer’s executive career has stalled out after his failed run with the Browns. That isn’t exclusive to Farmer as very few GMs or head coaches that have failed in Cleveland have worked their way back up to the top position somewhere else.

It will be interesting if he is able to find his way back or if he stays consulting and speaking instead. Either way, Ray Farmer’s time in Cleveland is memorable for all the wrong reasons.