A year of managerial hell for Browns general manager Ray Farmer has come full circle, with an impending suspension due for illegal texting during games.
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The NFL has suspended Cleveland Browns GM Ray Farmer for four games and fined the team $250,000 for texting coaches during NFL games – a violation of NFL rules.
NFL.com insider Ian Rapoport received word from the league on the exact nature of the punishment for Farmer and the Browns.
NFL: #Browns GM Ray Farmer suspended the first 4 games of 2015 for texting, starting Sunday before game 1. The team was fined $250,000
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 30, 2015
NFL: There was no evidence in the NFL’s review that Browns ownership or any other team executives had knowledge of the prohibited conduct.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 30, 2015
Ray Farmer cannot be involved in any club matters and is prohibited from being at the Browns’ offices or games during his suspension
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 30, 2015
The Browns had been under investigation this past year when it was determined that team executives were sending text messages to former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. After the 2014 season, Shanahan resigned his position with the Browns and was hired by the Atlanta Falcons in the same capacity.
Farmer took over as the Cleveland Browns GM after owner Jimmy Haslam fired former GM Michael Lombardi at the end of the 2013 season. In his first draft, with two first round picks the team took CB Justin Gilbert and QB Johnny Manziel in the first round – neither of whom proved at all ready to play at a high level in their first years with the team. Gilbert is struggling to adjust to NFL speed and Manziel, the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner, is currently in rehab for alcohol addiction.
Farmer’s suspension will last from Week 1 until Week 4 of the 2015 NFL season, But the Browns will not be forced to forfeit a draft pick. (Unlike the Atlanta Falcons who according to ProFootballTalk have just been dinged for pumping artificial noise into their stadium and will forfeit a 2016 draft pick.)
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