Browns', Falcons' Penalties for Violating League Rules Reportedly Revealed

Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay will reportedly be suspended from the NFL's competition committee, while the team will be stripped of a draft pick for piping false crowd noise into the Georgia Dome over the last two seasons.      

In addition, Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer is expected to be suspended four games for suggesting play calls to coaches during games.    

The moves are part of an NFL-wide crackdown on rule-breaking that alters the outcomes of contests.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the news, which is expected to be announced this week:

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot noted Farmer's suspension and added more details:

Rapoport provided further clarification on Atlanta's punishment:

NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent issued a statement on Cleveland's penalties:

"

The use of a cell phone on multiple occasions during games in 2014 by Cleveland Browns General Manager Ray Farmer was a violation of NFL rules that prohibit certain uses of electronic devices during games. Based on these violations, the Browns have been fined $250,000 and Ray Farmer will be suspended without pay for the first four regular-season games of the 2015 season. The suspension will start on midnight of the Sunday preceding the Browns' first regular-season game and will end immediately after the Browns' fourth regular-season game. During the period of the suspension, Farmer cannot be involved in any club matters and is prohibited from being at the Browns' offices, practice facility, or at Browns games.

There was no evidence in the NFL's review that Browns ownership or any other team executives had knowledge of the prohibited conduct. Once the violation was discovered, Browns management implemented new processes to ensure future compliance.

"

NFL.com's Jeff Darlington chimed in on the Browns' situation:

Vincent also provided a statement on the Falcons penalties. Falcons owner Arthur Blank addressed the news via the team's official website:

"

What took place was wrong and nowhere near the standards by which we run our business. Anytime there are actions that compromise the integrity of the NFL or threaten the culture of our franchise, as this issue did, they will be dealt with swiftly and strongly.

The League conducted a thorough investigation of this matter, and we cooperated fully. We understand the penalties imposed and their impact on our team, and we will not appeal the league’s decisions. Further, we have addressed the matter internally and taken actions to ensure that something like this does not happen again.

The Falcons and all of our other businesses are built upon a foundation of values that drive our decision making. This issue was a clear failure in that regard. I apologize for any embarrassment this situation has caused the NFL, our fans, and our Falcons players and associates.

"

Roddy White, the former director of event marketing for the Falcons, was also fired as a result of his direct involvement in the matter, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

The NFL launched an investigation into the allegations against Atlanta last month and against Cleveland in January.  

Members of the Browns front office allegedly sent texts to coaches during games that included things such as preferred play calls. Cabot reported the texts played a role in the departure of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Farmer has since admitted to sending the texts.

"I think Ray Farmer knows and has [privately] said that he has made a mistake in sending those texts," Browns owner Jimmy Haslam told reporters in February. "Ray feels terrible about it. Ray's a guy—I've known a lot of people—I think has utmost integrity."

A report from Schefter on Feb. 1 indicated the Falcons piped crowd noise through speakers when opposing teams had possession of the ball. Falcons owner Arthur Blank admitted the team was guilty within days of the investigation leaking, calling it "embarrassing."

"It's not really a fine line," Blank told Charles Odum of The Associated Press, via Yahoo Sports. "I think what we've done in 2013 and 2014 was wrong. Anything that affects the competitive balance and fairness on the field, we're opposed to, as a league, as a club and as an owner. It's obviously embarrassing but beyond embarrassing it doesn't represent our culture and what we're about."

Atlanta has gone 6-9 over the last two seasons at home. The Browns finished as the NFL's 24th-best offense in 2014, per Football Outsiders' DVOA metrics. It seems any advantage gained from the tactics was minimal.

Either way, it appears the NFL is prepared to send a clear message to ensure no other team tries similar schemes in the future.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.