Browns GM likely suspended for texts

ByABC News
March 30, 2015, 11:01 AM

— -- Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer is expected to be suspended for sending texts to personnel during games but the team is not expected to lose a draft pick, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The Browns also might receive a hefty fine, the sources said. The league is expected to hand down the discipline no later than Tuesday.

Browns general manager Ray Farmer admitted to texting during games in violation of the league's electronic device policy. Farmer has not revealed who he texted, but sources and reports have said the texts went to an assistant coach and an unnamed team representative on the sideline and that the texts dealt with in-game strategy and use of personnel.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has said Farmer owns his mistake and that the Browns will accept the consequences. He stands firmly behind his general manager. 

"Even though it's not a positive, it's not something I'm proud of, it's not a badge or something I'm wearing, but I'm definitely trying to take the positive out of it," Farmer said last week. "What did I learn? How am I better? And then how does this help me moving forward?"

Coach Mike Pettine admitted he was not pleased when the texts began, but he said at last week's league meetings that he and Farmer had talked it through.

"We both feel like we're very much on the same page and we're moving forward to make this team better," Pettine said.

ESPN.com's Pat McManamon contributed to this report.