The Browns "have been co-operating with the NFL investigation" regarding impermissible text messaging and they "know rules were broken," according to Terry Pluto of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. If Browns GM Ray Farmer was involved, "there are several issues." He is likely to "face a suspension of some type," and the team "may lose a middle-round draft pick." Perhaps more important is that the Browns' image "takes another hit -- and a very dumb one." Of all the Browns, Farmer "should know better because he has been in the NFL for 15 years as a player, scout and front office executive" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 2/8). In Akron, Marla Ridenour wrote Farmer "has failed so many times in the past 12 months" that his mistakes "could leave the franchise reeling for years." Ridenour: "I don’t see from Farmer the people skills or the proficiency in talent evaluation required to straighten out the Browns’ current mess." Farmer does not "stand up and squelch the Browns’ frat house atmosphere" and he displays "arrogance in his rare press conferences" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 2/8). In Ohio, Jim Ingraham wondered if there are Browns fans who are "not waxing nostalgic" about the Randy Lerner era amid the current atmosphere around the franchise, which also includes WR Josh Gordon's drug-related season-long suspension and QB Johnny Manziel checking into rehab. Ingraham: "Now we have this ... this noisy, chaotic, screeching, shattered-glass train wreck. ... Will somebody please get this organization under control?" (Lorain MORNING JOURNAL, 2/6).
HASLAM ENTERS CRITICAL PERIOD: In Ohio, Scott Petrak wrote everything going on with the Browns "starts and stops" with Owner Jimmy Haslam. Successful teams "have good owners, and Haslam is still trying to find his footing after a rocky start" since replacing Lerner in '12. The next year "will be pivotal for Haslam." The team can "continue the progress started in coach Mike Pettine’s first season and achieve the stability long lacking in Berea." But if the team regresses, Haslam "will have to make critical decisions." Petrak: "Does he stick with Farmer (if he isn’t fired over the texts) and Pettine? Does he blow up the organization for the third time and start over again? Does he keep Pettine and look for a new GM?" The texts are the "most disturbing issue for Haslam," as his "handpicked GM had a first year to forget ... and it keeps getting worse." If the league suspends Farmer, he will be "on thin ice with Haslam" (Elyria CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM, 2/8).
