Browns GM apologizes for in-game texts, reflects on Johnny Manziel

Lindsay H. Jones | USA TODAY Sports

Show Caption Hide Caption Browns GM on situations with Manziel, Gilbert Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer discusses the situations with Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel.

INDIANAPOLIS – Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer opened his NFL combine press conference with an apology for sending in-game text messages to coaches – publicly repeating what he had already said privately to head coach Mike Pettine.

The NFL is investigating Farmer's text messages, an action that is explicitly prohibited, and Farmer says he has cooperated fully. Farmer could wind up being fined by the NFL, and the team could lose draft picks.

"I take full responsibility for myself and my actions and the things that I've learned from that is that there is a platform to have those conversations and have those things talked about and discussed," Farmer said. "I misplayed that platform, and it's something I've learned from, it's something I'll be better at. I've corrected that mistake."

The probe into Farmer's texts is just part of the drama facing the Browns this offseason.

Both of Farmer's first-round picks from 2014 have struggled – quarterback Johnny Manziel is currently in a rehab facility that he entered voluntarily earlier this month, and cornerback Justin Gilbert is dealing with what Pettine described as a "personal issue" after a disappointing rookie year.

The team's best receiver, Josh Gordon, has been banned for at least a year following another violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. And the team went through more turmoil on the coaching staff following the resignation of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

Still, Farmer on Thursday offered a different perspective from public perception.

"I would describe (the Browns) as healthy because 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," Farmer said. "Guys are able to speak their minds. Granted, I'm the general manager but, again, I'm an open book. I tell people the truth about how I feel and I think we get that expressed readily throughout the organization."

The biggest question facing Farmer as he moves into his second offseason as the Browns' general manager is at quarterback, a position that was unstable even before Manziel entered treatment in early February.

Given Manziel's struggles in his limited action last year – he completed only 51% of his throws, with a pair of interceptions and no touchdown passes in his two starts – the Browns find themselves still searching for a starter with Brian Hoyer, who started 13 of 14 games he played in '14, set to become a free agent. Farmer didn't rule out that Manziel could be that guy come September, but he said the team is open to drafting, signing or trading for a new starter.

Farmer said the organization wouldn't be scared off a player who might have failed as a starter elsewhere should they believe he could be a fit with the Browns, and with Pettine and new offensive coordinator Joe DeFilippo.

"There is always a pool of players out there," Farmer said. "It's about finding that guy, and bringing him to Cleveland."

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