Kyle Shanahan gave the Browns a 32-point presentation on why he wanted out
February 4, 2015The Bad News Browns strike again… and again…
February 4, 2015There’s snow in the forecast for Cleveland, Ohio, but it’s not the cold and powdery white substance that fills driveways and roads that Cleveland Browns fans are worried about right now, but the F-5 shit storm in which the Browns are currently smack dab in the center. Mark Kay Cabot of NEOMG reported that the Browns are facing severe consequences as result of the texting scandal the NFL is currently investigating. The scandal revolves around texts sent from Browns management to the sidelines during gameplay, which is against league rules. The potential consequences include a multi-game suspension of GM Ray Farmer, a fine, and the loss of a draft pick(s?).
The Browns and general manager Ray Farmer are facing possible sanctions from the NFL for “Textgate,” including a multigame suspension for Farmer, and a fine and loss of draft pick [sic] for the Browns, league sources told Northeast Ohio Media Group.
The investigation–one of three “integrity of the game” probes currently underway in the NFL–is expected to be wrapped up soon, as early this week or next week.
Sources have told NEOMG that Farmer was the culprit texting the sidelines during play. The other investigations the NFL is conducting concern the New England Patriots’ alleged deflation of balls and the Atlanta Falcons’ pumping of crowd noise into their stadium over 2013 and 2014. In light of the recent fervor of the deflated balls, NFL Commissioner and possible robot Roger Goodell spouted the usual rhetoric about integrity. “This is my responsibility to protect the integrity of the game. … And I have to pursue [rules violations] aggressively. So this is my job. … We will do it vigorously and it is important for it to be thorough and fair.” Knowing the Browns history with the league and asinine suspensions, and its lack of well-connected employees that are golf partners with the commissioner, the smart money is that the Browns will receive a greater punishment than the Patriots or the Falcons for their alleged transgressions.
I’m less concerned about the timing of Farmer’s texts as a league infraction than what it says about the general dysfunction of the organization. In the last week alone, Browns fans learned that Kyle Shanahan made a comically detailed 32-point presentation on why he wanted to leave the team, wide receiver Josh Gordon received a suspension of at least one year, and quarterback and (possibly) fraudulent savior Johnny Manziel checked into treatment to presumably curb his substance abuse. The Browns prospects of winning are limited with this type of turmoil surrounding the organization. While Punxsutawney Phil promised six more weeks of winter when he saw his shadow on Groundhog Day, the never-ending winter for Browns fans continues.
77 Comments
More Cavs articles please
(Apparently) busting on 2 first rounders is very very bad though. Those are the one’s you need to hit. The UDFA’s are nice, but they are filler and depth. Not the top end stuff that the first rounders typically net you (if you don’t miss that is).
It’s disconcerting when combined with the texting thing. I’m not ready to bail, but I’m grumpy about it.
I hear ya. If Farmer was trying to insert himself into the game management (for lack of a better term), this is highly disturbing. It makes him look like either (1) a delusional power-mad control freak if he was doing this on his own or (2) a pathetic toady if he was taking orders from Haslam along the lines of, “Dadgumit, Farmer, you text every damn coach we have until you find out just what in the hell is goin’ on out there!”
The best we can hope for is that the media have greatly exaggerated this story.
They are boring, they are winning it’s crap like the Browns that spurs reactions.
yeah last season was fun, losing juuuust enough to get that #1 pick XD
I’m with you. I think this is either going to be a ticky-tack fine or something much, much worse. 1st or 2nd rounder would be devastating. Honestly, it’d be the sort of thing that, if it happened, I wouldn’t have a problem with Haslam canning Farmer right away. Maybe that’s an overreaction, but there’s plenty of smart people around football dying to be a GM who won’t cost you a 1st round pick over nothing. I’ve firmly been behind Farmer, even with the lack of FAs and 1st round misses, but if we get the horns on this one it’ll change everything.
Maybe that’s what Farmer was texting Loggains? I said NO mayo, jackoff!
Exactly.
Oh noes, Ray will have to watch the Browns from home, Jimmy lost some funds that he’ll get back from his gas stations, and/or we’ll never improve the roster because we lost the chance to draft “Mr. Irrelevant” in the 7th round, or an “overrated” player in the 1st. Ha! Wake me up when real news comes in.
14 days until pitchers and catchers report
I’m sure we can find another TE to not block.
“…but there’s plenty of smart people around football dying to be a GM…”
I agree, BUT the question is can Jimmy identify those smart people that can turn this team around?
Jimmy: I’m announcing the termination of Ray Farmer because he sent a text. I’m rehiring Mike Lombardi as GM and Eric Mangini as his assistant GM…
http://elephantspaycheck.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Shocked-Cat.jpeg
NE had to win 3 Superbowls and be caught cheating to do it by taping practices and using someone in the stands to relay messages to get docked a 1st rounder. Not saying that means we won’t be, but I’d be furious.
definitely reason to be grumpy and I don’t think you can afford to miss on 1st rounders constantly (as we have further back than Farmer), but if you get value out of the draft, then you get value out of the draft. it doesn’t matter where they were drafted once they are on the team.
if Bitonio was drafted in the 1st and Manziel in the 2nd would it change people’s minds on if Farmer did a good job? maybe. Would it matter at all to the Browns right now? no.
My worry is that Emperor Goodell feels the need to assert his authority. All will suffer.
When is his tee time? Can we send Garry with a bottle of scotch to smooth this one over?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-fkSYDtUY
You are starting to read like the rest of the whiners around here. You really are a Browns fan!
Carlos Carrasco baby!
I was bringing up the only example I could think of what it takes for a team to lose a 1st round draft pick. Don’t blame me that it was your team.
Your point is well taken.
Just posted a slightly longer take on this on the bad news Browns thread, but long story short: walk away. Nothing positive will come from this team until the draft at least. Moratorium until then.
Wow Kyle, wtf is this shit-storm of a statement?
Knowing the Browns history with the league and asinine suspensions, and its lack of well-connected employees that are golf partners with the commissioner, the smart money is that the Browns will receive a greater punishment than the Patriots or the Falcons for their alleged transgressions.
Statistically, we were the worst at QBing last year
tell that to Zach Mettenberger
http://img.pandawhale.com/post-42774-Anchorman-I-love-scotch-gif-Im-qk70.gif
Fortunately when the NFL takes away our first rounders for Farmer’s texting we won’t have to discuss him missing on those picks next year 🙂
I would say give me the picks, but I was happy enough with his selections last year (though I would have taken Teddy or Jordan Matthews with the later pick).
The 2 first rounders are very bad, considering we would’ve had either Watkins or Khalil Mack. Justin Gilbert’s atrocities make me cringe, but overall, Farmer did very well.
Don’t forget about the 3 additional draft picks he acquired for this year. If nothing else, Trader Ray is an exciting GM to have on draft day!