Browns coach Mike Pettine yesterday attempted to "alter perceptions" of Owner Jimmy Haslam III "as meddlesome and team president Alec Scheiner as a businessman who's poking his nose into football operations," according to Tom Reed of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. A report from CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora earlier this month depicted the atmosphere at the team's HQ as "'toxic,' the morale 'beyond low' and that the blame starts at the top with Haslam." Pettine, speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, said, "To me the most upsetting thing about this month has been the depiction of Jimmy Haslam. I know some people are going to say, 'This is the guy who signs his checks, so he's going to pump him up.' He's been depicted as a guy who's been meddlesome and involved in a lot of decisions and that hasn't been the case at all." Pettine added, "He was not involved in any draft decisions, he was not involved in any playing time decisions. ... There hasn't been one instance where we asked for something and he said no." Pettine also said that Scheiner "has not tried to interfere with the football side, even making light of the question" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 2/19).
TAKING FULL BLAME: Browns GM Ray Farmer this morning apologized to the Browns and their fans for texting impermissibly during games. He said, "So that everybody hears it from my mouth, it was me. To that degree, I have apologized to the people in building -- coach Pettine, Jimmy Haslam, the rest of the football staff and everybody else that was involved from our side as far as football-wise that they understand what happened. It is an open investigation from the league's perspective, so there's not a lot of commentary there. But I will tell you that again, I take full responsibility for myself and my actions.” Farmer went on to describe the organization as "healthy." Farmer: "We do have platforms where you can discuss those things openly and honestly and you can have direct conversations, and in large part those conversations are met with candor. Guys are able to speak their minds.” Farmer called Haslam a “really good owner” and added his “support was monumental, at least for me personally” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 2/19). In Cleveland, Mary Kay Cabot notes Pettine yesterday "admitted he was miffed" about Farmer texting during games and that the "trust between the two men has had to be rebuilt." Pettine said that he "forgave Farmer after he understood more about why he sent the texts." Pettine: "I'm not going to go into my initial reaction, but at the same time I'm very comfortable with my relationship with Ray. That hasn't changed. We see things very much the same. It's a mistake, he admits it" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 2/19). In Akron, Marla Ridenour writes the "damage Farmer has done" to his relationship with Pettine "must be mended." For the Browns to "develop the kind of organization that at this point they can only worship from afar, the coach-GM football marriage must be sound" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 2/19).
BREATH OF FRESH AIR: BLEACHER REPORT's Mike Tanier wrote Pettine yesterday was "open, forthright, and a little bit defiant in the face of withering negativity" around the franchise. Pettine's reaction was "refreshing and a little bit inspiring." He could have "punted when asked about Ray Farmer," but Pettine instead "was frank." While no questions were directly asked about Haslam, the coach "decided to rush to his boss' defense unbidden." Tanier: "Pettine sounded sincere. ... He sounded like the voice of reason in a world gone crazy" (BLEACHERREPORT.com, 2/18). But ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser called the Browns a “clown show." Kornheiser: "They have no quarterback, they don’t have their best wide receiver, they may lose their general manager. They’re a disaster” (“PTI,” ESPN, 2/18).
DIVERSIONARY TACTICS? The Browns next week will unveil a new logo, and Scheiner yesterday said the team will roll it out publicly "in context of some other fan news." He said the logo is "all leading up to the bigger change." In Cleveland, Kevin Kleps noted that change is the "much-anticipated uniforms" that will be unveiled later this year (CRAINSCLEVELAND.com, 2/18). But in Cleveland, Bud Shaw noted with the Browns coming off "another late-season nosedive, a league investigation into improper texting, a first-round draft choice in rehab, another first rounder called out by teammates, the former All-Pro wideout suspended indefinitely and filing a grievance against the team ... fans don't seem quite in the mood for anything that smacks of style over substance" (CLEVELAND.com, 2/18). ESPN’s Michelle Beadle said of the Browns changing their logo amidst the team's other issues, "It's like cutting your hair to change your life. That won’t do it” (“SportsNation,” ESPN2, 2/18).
