Less than three weeks ago, Ray Farmer turned down an opportunity to interview for a second time to become the G.M. of the Dolphins. He’s now the G.M. of the Browns.
In his first meeting with the media since ascending to that role, Farmer said he had no knowledge of a possible promotion in Cleveland when passing on a promotion in Miami.
“Absolutely not,” Farmer said. “That job [in Miami] was no right for Ray Farmer.”
Farmer, who played linebacker in the NFL before becoming a scout and executive, also shared a couple of acronyms that guide him in his work: KTB and GUTF.
The first means you have to first know someone to trust them, and then trust them to believe in them. The second means “get up the field,” aimed at encouraging “getting after it” and “finishing strong” in all endeavors.
The Browns organization will never get to finish strong if owner Jimmy Haslam doesn’t give his key employees a chance to get started. We’ll see whether Farmer and coach Mike Pettine get more than a year to two to turn things around.