Cleveland Browns GM Ray Farmer spoke at today’s NFL Combine in a press conference in which he apologized to the fans and took responsibility for the Browns’ texting scandal.
“I take full responsibility for myself and my actions,” Farmer said. “There is a platform to have those conversations. I misplayed that platform. I’ve corrected that mistake.”
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Farmer is currently under fire for sending texts to the sideline during games, which violates NFL rules.
“I know I messed up,” Farmer said. “People understand what the rules are. In my case, I would tell you that, it’s not an excuse, but sometimes your emotions get the best of you.”
Farmer did not reveal what the messages contained. The punishment for the improper texting could be a fine, a suspension for Farmer, or a loss of a draft pick.
Much like the overblown Patriots’ “deflategate,” it’s unclear how much this actually helped the team. (I mean, have you seen the Browns play? They don’t look like a team that has any competitive advantages). That being said, the rules are in place for a reason, and Farmer will be required to face the consequences.
It will be interesting whether it is actually revealed what kind of information the texts contained
The bad news just keeps coming for the Browns, who at one point during the season were 6-3 and in first place in the AFC North. Remember that? Let’s chronicle the misery that has followed it:
- The team lost six of its last seven games
- Johnny Manziel debuted and looked like he had never played football before in his life
- Johnny Manziel went to rehab
- Kyle Shanahan left the team after preparing a slideshow explaining why he wanted to leave
- The NFL began a probe on the illegal texting
- Josh Gordon was suspended for 16 games (again)
- Now they might lose Brian Hoyer and Jordan Cameron in free agency, in no small part because of this mess
I can’t think of another NFL team that has faced so much bad news over the last three months. I mean, at least the Buccaneers got the No. 1 pick out of their misery, right? Then again, this has become standard operating procedure for the Browns. Maybe the fans should embrace the incompetence and misery, like hate-watching a bad movie. The Browns can become The Room of the NFL.
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