Although general manager Ray Farmer and the Browns have repeatedly denied that owner Jimmy Haslam exerted any influence in the team’s draft room last week, quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains suggests that’s not quite the case. Appearing on Sports Talk with Bo Mattingly on ESPN Radio in Arkansas, Loggains said that a text from Johnny Manziel inspired Haslam and the Browns to trade up for him.
“We’re sitting there and they keep showing Johnny on TV,” Loggains said, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “And Johnny and I are texting and he shoots me a text and he says, ‘I wish you guys would come get me. Hurry up and draft me because I want to be there. I want to wreck this league together.’ When I got that text, I forwarded it to the owner and to the head coach (Mike Pettine). I’m like, ‘This guy wants to be here. He wants to be part of it.’ As soon as that happened, Mr. Haslam said, ‘Pull the trigger. We’re trading up to go get this guy.'”
Although the Browns eventually made a deal with the Eagles to move up to the No. 22 spot, the team also talked to the Titans (No. 11) and Cowboys (No. 16), Loggains confirmed. The quarterbacks coach also suggested that the Browns felt they had to get ahead of the Chiefs at No. 23: “We knew they would draft him.”
As for Haslam’s role in making the deal, it certainly sounds like he was very much involved in the decision, even if he didn’t necessarily have to overrule his staff to get it done. Previous reports have suggested that the Eagles had several offers for that 22nd overall pick, and that the Browns only landed the pick after sweetening their proposal to include a third-rounder. Based on Loggains’ comments, it sounds as if Philadelphia may have ended up trading with one of those other clubs had Haslam not provided the push to get something done.
So to how many others teams did this kid send that text? LOL
What’s the big deal about this? Haslam pays the bills, why shouldn’t he have an input in team decisions? Remember, there is a business side to the game. Season ticket sales have increased, and I’d bet every game this coming season will be a sellout. Go Browns!!
Glad manziels a brown. And readbthe whole interview it broadens the story much more. All three Farmer, Pettine and Haslam knew they wanted to get ahead of KC and were making offers to move up. Manziel sends a text that clearly shows (whether haters believe or not) thats he wabted cleveland and that staff.
Had nothing to do with starting now, because manziel was told from the startvand this isvthe quote “youre the backup now, and you havevyo earn your reps”..
Btw Herm Edwards saying that saying that does Johnny a disservice is beyond laughable. Go ahead google hard knocks, herm edwards, brodie croyle and youll see him give the same speech multiple times to a rookie qb that had more upside than the current veterans on roster. And share it over and over so Herm will just shut up. Hell say anything to be in the story of the moment even if it contradicts jis own stule or beliefs. You were a crap player, a garbage coach, awful talent evaluator annoying as a coach at the podium and worse doing analysis now. Just hush already and quit, they could find a better tv guy at starbucks.