Browns general manager Ray Farmer is one day away from watching his hand-picked quarterback, Johnny Manziel, attempt to upset the undefeated Bengals on .
Regardless of how that plays out, Farmer told reporters on Tuesday that he isn't worried about his job security in Cleveland.
Farmer said, per ESPN's Pat McManamon. "That's a perception that everybody has for me and not a perception I have of myself."
Farmer vowed to continue to "work hard and try to bring talent to the Browns" until he hears otherwise from owner Jimmy Haslam, noting: "I haven't been given that memo."
In his second full season as Cleveland's front-office leader, Farmer is under fire for a slew of first-round picks who can't find the field. Manziel is only playing because Josh McCown's upper body is under siege, while offensive lineman Cameron Erving -- with 25 snaps all season -- and cornerback Justin Gilbert -- with just nine on defense -- are scant contributors.
Meanwhile, Farmer's expensive free-agent addition, receiver Dwayne Bowe, has been inactive for all but three games and has yet to record a catch after signing a two-year, $12.5 million contract with $9 million in guarantees.
Asked if he overrated the aging Bowe, Farmer told the room: "That's an interesting comment. I don't know if we overrated him, I think we made a decision as a team to bring Dwayne Bowe to the Cleveland Browns."
Bowe's phantom season has been protected by the club, but his lack of production speaks to a disconnect between the front office and the coaching staff. Farmer argued against that, saying that "every guy that comes to the Cleveland Browns is a Browns decision," but also put the onus on the coaches by noting: "It's our job as the Browns to try and get Dwayne as many catches and opportunities as he earns and deserves."
Farmer defended his first-round selections by stating that not every rookie hits the scene as pro-ready as Joe Thomas -- a er . The GM made his case for patience, both with Gilbert -- now relegated to returning kicks -- and Manziel, who couldn't beat out Brian Hoyer or the 36-year-old McCown.
In an alternate universe, Thursday night's tilt with the Bengals, airing exclusively on the NFL Network, would serve as a nationally televised showcase for Farmer's flowering young roster.
After all, it was a year ago when Cleveland throttled Cincy on TNF to carve out a 6-3 record and a first-place share of the AFC North. One autumn later, the 2-6 Browns are one loss away from heading into their bye with a flood of questions about what comes next.
If history tells us anything about the post-1999 Browns, the answers won't be pretty.
