Ray Farmer, Jimmy Haslam

Ray Farmer and Jimmy Haslam have a lot to talk about, including the mistakes that were made in 2014.

(Joshua Gunter / NEOMG)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Josh Gordon is suspended for at least a season. Johnny Manziel is in rehabilitation.

What an off-season for the Browns.

I've been told that Manziel "definitely" made the decision to enter rehabilitation. His drinking problems are well-known. The Browns have wanted him to get that type of help. But they also knew Manziel had to make the call himself -- or there was no chance for it to work.

I was told by someone close to the situation that he did just that, confirming Mary Kay Cabot's report of a few days ago.

But the failure of Manziel and Gordon on the field at least partly reflects on the Browns owner, and Jimmy Haslam has to realize that.

I know it was Haslam who negated a deal of Gordon being sent to San Francisco for a future second round pick. That was in 2013 when Joe Banner was the CEO.

And it was Haslam who was enamored with Manziel. I don't know where the Ray Farmer/Mike Pettine group rated Manziel -- but the Banner front office had no interest in him in the upper rounds of the draft.

The way Farmer/Pettine talked about "playing like a Brown" and a power running game with savvy quarterback play certainly didn't sound like having Johnny Football at the controls.

But I admit to knowing what I don't know -- and I don't know what happened in the draft room.

I do know that Farmer said it was his idea to draft Manziel at No. 22. After the season, Farmer talked about believing Manziel could still be a "solid" NFL starter.

I saw no evidence of that in his six quarters as a starter that produced five non-penalty first downs and three points.

I'm still not sure why Farmer simply didn't say, "Johnny has to prove himself." That is true for the Texas A&M quarterback on several levels, personal and professional.

Nor is it wise for Farmer to talk as if wide receivers are almost irrelevant. A talented receiver can really help an average quarterback look good, just as elite quarterbacks can turn so-so receivers into stars.

Just ask Cincinnati's Andy Dalton how throwing to the big and talented A.J. Green makes life easier for a quarterback.

With Gordon suspended and Manziel addressing his personal issues, the Browns can stop wishing/dreaming/hoping that those players will be a factor in 2015.

If Manziel does surprise, great. But his name must be written in pencil and deep on the depth chart. Gordon's actions erased himself for the season.

One of Ray Farmer's best moves was signing running back Isaiah Crowell as an undrafted free agent.

MORE PROBLEMS

I do wish the Browns problems ended right there. I'm stunned to hear of the reports of Farmer being one of those who supposedly sent texts to his coaches during games, a clear violation of NFL rules. He has been around the NFL for a long time and must know better.

That's why I'm holding back comments on Farmer texting until the league rules. I've long considered Farmer a good man and that is his reputation around the league.

But I also know what I don't know. I have no clue of who did what when it came to the texting, other than someone with the Browns embarrassed themselves. It will be very discouraging if that someone is Farmer.

I do like some of Farmer's big-picture ideas for the team, such as building on the run until you can find an impact quarterback.

Guard Joel Bitonio was a steal in the second round. Linebacker Chris Kirksey and Terrance West are excellent third-round picks, where only 20 percent of the selections become starters.

They added productive players as undrafted free agents: Taylor Gabriel, Isaiah Crowell and K'Waun Williams. All started games.

Fourth-rounder Pierre Desir did more than first-rounder Justin Gilbert at cornerback. Great for Desir, bad for the Browns and Gilbert. He was their first-round pick, the idea of Farmer and Pettine. Haslam had nothing to do with that choice.

Gilbert had issues when it came to being on time for meetings and preparing for practice and games. Either the Browns didn't know that, or they picked him at No. 8 anyway hoping the Oklahoma State product would mature in the NFL.

PAIN AND DOUBT

The Browns owner faces a major public relations and image problems just as free agency approaches on March 10.

In the last two years the Browns added four significant players -- Paul Kruger, Karlos Dansby, Donte Whitner and Desmond Bryant. Yes, the Browns probably "overpaid" for them, but a team in the Browns position often has to do that.

Kruger and Bryant were signed by Banner, while his general manager Mike Lombardi pushed hard for Brian Hoyer. Farmer imported Dansby and Whitner, and I love those additions.

The Browns still are overflowing with salary cap room -- more than $20 million before they start shedding some players to create even more cap space.

Yes, money talks. It sometimes screams.

But the Browns postseason has been such a nightmare with the ugly departure of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and the mess with Manziel and Gordon. Furthermore, a depressing cloud hangs over the Browns until the NFL rules on the texting issue.

And doubts will linger about Farmer until the next draft and free agency. Can he execute a major upgrade of the roster? He has picks No. 12 and 19 in the first round. There are rumors about trading up for a quarterback, but it seems the Browns lack the high picks needed to make that happen.

Until Haslam sticks with the same general manager/coach for at least three years, there will be rumors that he's preparing to fire everyone -- again. That's why the owner needs to stand with his football people during these painful times.

Free agency and the draft are coming, something that can take a team off football life-support. But Haslam has to make sure that the same mistakes that were made the last few years (including some by the owner) are not repeated.