The Cleveland Browns mess has now continued into 2014, as the team now has a new general manager in Ray Farmer after owner Jimmy Haslam dismissed Mike Lombardi and with questions at quarterback, the team could look for a trade involving Matt Schaub or to the draft, as names like Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater may possibly be available.
The Browns have been a mess for years and that was evidenced under the new ownership this season after Haslam fired Rob Chudzinski following the final game of the season and now he has done it again. According to ESPN.com, Haslam has dismissed general manager Mike Lombardi and CEO Joe Banner is on his way out as well and now Ray Farmer will be promoted and he will be making decisions for the team. This move is another rough one for fans and now it opens up some possibilities at quarterback, as ESPN.com reports Matt Schaub could now be a target.
The Browns hired Kyle Shanahan as their new offensive coordinator under head coach Mike Pettine and since he is more of a defensive coach after running the unit for the Bills, it's likely that Shanahan will have plenty of input in who the next quarterback will be. Brandon Weeden has not won over anyone with his play, while Jason Campbell is not a long-term solution and that makes Schaub and intriguing possibility. The Texans are likely done with him after the season the team and the QB had and Shanahan previously was his offensive coordinator in Houston and oversaw some of his best career performances.
The Browns are limited on offense, but they have a budding superstar in Josh Gordon and adding someone like Schaub could open things up. The Browns ranked in the top 15 in passing yards per game last season and they were in the bottom half of the league in rushing yards and adding a legit starting quarterback could help get the running game going much better after they traded away Trent Richardson.
The Browns have been mentioned in a number of news reports today involving the front office moves, including ESPN.com reporting that the team had interviewed Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen before hiring Pettine. The Browns now promote Farmer after he previously interviewed for the Miami Dolphins general manager job and now he has the job of trying to turn the franchise around, something Lombardi and Banner could not see through.
The team lost 11 games for the six straight season after going 4-12 in 2013 and Haslam did not even let Chud get to the Monday after the season, as he was fired that Sunday night. The team has some major decisions to make and with a top five pick, they could be in the mix for Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles or Teddy Bridgewater. With the Houston Texans likely making a QB pick as well, the Browns may decide to trade up for one of those names, while Schaub or a free agent option are also on the table.
