May 22, 2013

Brian Hoyer, Brandon Weeden and what it all could mean

May 17, 2013 by 16 Comments

Hoyer PatsA fictional conversation that could have taken place in Berea over the last couple of days…

Michael Lombardi: “Hey. Have you heard of Brian Hoyer?”

Ray Farmer: “You mean the journeyman Michigan State guy who went undrafted in 2009, with one career NFL start who was cut flat by the team, the Arizona Cardinals, with some of the worst quarterback play since Kurt Warner retired as an arthritic old man?”

Michael Lombardi: “Yep! He’s available! Go get him!”

And scene…

Look, the jokes that were going around yesterday had more to do with the fact that almost everything that’s ever been rumored about Michael Lombardi has come true. The only thing that hasn’t happened (yet) is the Browns trading for Patriots backup Ryan Mallett. With that lens, of course it’s somewhat comical that Brian Hoyer finally became available and signed with the Browns. That’s really where the comedy ends. In all, the Brian Hoyer signing is a good one for depth for a team that has question marks at the quarterback spot. [Read more...]

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NFL News: Browns’ Michael Lombardi to have title changed to General Manager

March 5, 2013 by 28 Comments

It was a bit of a tongue twister for Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam to say “Vice President of Player Personnel” in the news conference when Mike Lombardi was hired. At least that’s what I assumed when he kept referring to Lombardi as the Browns’ new GM.

Well, now it appears that the confusion will be gone as Pro Football Talk reports that the Browns will change it.

As for Ray Farmer being the new Assistant GM, here’s the scoop. Farmer is a former 1996 fourth round draft pick out of Duke. He played for the Eagles from 1996-1998 and was most recently the Director of Pro Personnel for the Kansas City Chiefs.

[Related: The Browns, analytics, and finding market inefficiencies as an organization]

 

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Ray Farmer reportedly the favorite to land Browns GM job

January 15, 2013 by 22 Comments

The Cleveland Browns have interviewed Ray Farmer for their presently open general manager/player personnel position. Interviews reportedly occurred last Thursday and once again on Monday.

Farmer, the current Director of Pro Personnel for the Kansas City Chiefs, is said to be the current leader for the position. Many are piecing together the two interviews — one taking place before the hiring of Rob Chudzinski, the other after his hire — firmly place the 38-year-old graduate of Duke University ahead of others like the perpetually mentioned Mike Lombardi. Minnesota’s George Paton and Seattle’s John Idzik were also in the mix.

Farmer spent seven seasons with the Chiefs. He joined them after a four-year run with the Atlanta Falcons as their pro scout. In 1996, he was a fourth-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles where he played linebacker. At Duke, he was a two-time All-ACC standout while also being a member of the Academic All-Conference team.

The Browns fired general manager Tom Heckert on Dec. 31. They have not commented on any interviewees or potential candidates for the presently vacant position.

[Related: Is Derek Anderson joining the Browns to teach or start?]

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NFL Report: Browns also interested in Chiefs’ Ray Farmer

January 5, 2013 by 2 Comments

Add one more to the list: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Browns also have requested permission to interview Ray Farmer, currently the Director of Pro Personnel for the Kansas City Chiefs:

A two-time All-ACC saftey at Duke, he once held the NCAA record for 8 blocked PATs in his collegiate career. He then played 32 games in the NFL as a linebacker and now has been with the Chiefs organization for the last seven seasons. He previously was a pro scout for the Atlanta Falcons from 2002-2005.

As has been heavily reported already, owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner are likely looking for a salary cap expert to assist the Browns front office. It’s likely that this isn’t a traditional GM opening, but just someone who will assist the team’s personnel department.

[Related: NFL Report: Browns ask permission to interview Vikings’ George Paton]

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