Mike Pettine, Ray Farmer not getting along with Browns

The latest report on the team’s persistent, ingrained dysfunction comes from ESPN reporter Tony Grossi, and it reveals that GM Ray Farmer’s practice of texting members of the coaching staff during games was carried out even more stupidly than we thought. Another source told Grossi that this “was absolutely false”.

Cleveland’s defense gave up 210 yards to backup running backs Alfred Blue and Jonathan Grimes. (The report cites one source that says he was the recipient, and another that denied that was the case.) Additionally, the report cited “stories” of Northcutt’s sideline confrontations with both offensive and defensive coaches on separate occasions.

That unexpected loss, with the Browns sitting atop the AFC North at 6-3, was the beginning of the end of the 2014 season.

Grossi had two sources with different stories on Northcutt having an active role on the sidelines last season.

It seems the dismissal of Dr. Jamil Northcutt as Browns director of player engagement could have deeper implications than was first presumed. Tasks might include helping an out-of-state player get a driver’s license or arranging meetings with local real estate agents. Northcutt was hired last April, replacing former Browns tight end Aaron Shea, and was relieved of his duties last week in an allegedly mutual decision. Before that, he was with the Kansas City Chiefs as player development coordinator while Farmer was director of pro personnel director with the Chiefs. After being hit with Kyle Shanahan’s departure, Johnny Manziel being in rehab, Alec Scheiner being too involved in football stuff, Josh Gordon’s year-long ban, and Ray Farmer’s texting situation all at once, the past few months have pretty much involved watching a tumbleweed roll by…until today.

It may be unfair to tag Northcutt with the respective transgressions of the three rookies. Actually, that occurred when Farmer texted coaches in the booth during games, which was counter-productive to the team’s ability to win and compromised Farmer’s credibility with the coaches and, to a degree, the players.

The million dollar question now is whether any of these reports have any merit, or is Northcutt’s departure just…a plain-old departure?

Ray Farmer and Mike Pettine are reportedly jockeying for control of Jimmy Haslam’s franchise.

But the tug of war appears to be on.