BEREA, Ohio -- Many who have watched the Cleveland Browns through training camp and the preseason see wide receiver as a problem area as the 2014 season begins.
The man charged with assembling the Browns doesn't see things that way. First-year general manager Ray Farmer said Friday he sees a receiving group that "can be dynamic in a lot of different ways" and is more unknown than unable to produce.
"I'm good with our receiving corps," Farmer said. "IWe have guys that I think can stretch the field. We have guys that I think can be good with the football in their hands. That's what you want.
"I would tell you that I'm always confident. I believe in what those guys are. If I didn't believe, then they wouldn't be here. They've earned my confidence by the things that they've done."
Already down a man -- and a pretty important one -- with the season-long suspension handed to 2013 NFL receiving champ Josh Gordon, Farmer called the decision to release veteran receiver Nate Burleson last weekend "a very difficult one." The Browns have 5'7 Andrew Hawkins and Miles Austin atop the depth chart, followed by undrafted 5'8 rookie Taylor Gabriel, speedster Travis Benjamin and second-year player LaRon Byrd, a big target at 6'4 claimed via waivers last weekend.
In fielding multiple questions about the receiving corps and decisions that included not drafting a wide receiver last May or trading for one since, Farmer said he believes this group will produce and produce players who become better known.
"Talent is talent," Farmer said. "I think that question everyone wants to know is 'How come I don't know him? How come I've never heard of that guy?' I can't answer that question. I don't know the answer to it. I know that our scouts do a really good job of hitting the streets and figuring out who's who on which roster, and when we can pick up a guy, and who's out there to make our team better.
"That's all we're focused on is making the team better. As incrementally as that may seem to anyone else, we think that we're preparing a roster that can win games."
Farmer singled out Gabriel, who originally made the Browns as a tryout player out of Div. II Abilene Christian, as a rookie he's been "proud" to see earn his way.
"If you are looking for a guy that I think answered the call, did what he was supposed to do and showed people that he deserves a chance to play in this league, it was Taylor Gabriel," Farmer said. "I will give him his shout out and credibility. Now when you see the people and you smell the popcorn, we will find out if it really all holds together."
