While Dr. Jamil Northcutt's name isn't one likely to be well-known by the average Cleveland Browns fan, it seems his departure from his former post as Browns director of player engagement may have deeper implications than one would initially presume. It seems Northcutt - something of an unknown for most in Cleveland - in actuality represents what has become a significant rift between Browns head coach Mike Pettine and GM Ray Farmer, according to a report from Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com.
Northcutt, it seems, was both a "confidante" of Farmer and a "thorn in the side" for Pettine and his coaching staff. While Northcutt's recent departure was painted as a mutual parting of ways by the franchise, per Grossi, it is actually a major indication of a "seeping rift" that has developed between Pettine and Farmer.
According to Grossi's sources, Farmer's illegal text messaging to the sidelines last season, dubbed Textgate, which resulted in a four-game suspension for the embattled GM, were sent to Northcutt, who, on gamedays last season, held an undefined sideline role.
Of course, another Browns source indicated to Grossi that that was patently false.
Northcutt allegedly had no problem overstepping the boundaries of his actual job description, having held "conversations" with both defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil and offensive line coach Andy Moeller at separate points during the season concerning the performance of their units and their use - or in this case, presumed misuse - of personnel.
While "director of player engagement" is something of a nebulous job title, it seems there was a significant discrepancy between what Farmer wanted Northcutt to do and what Northcutt felt was within the scope of his power and what Pettine and his staff were hoping to see from a man who seemed to struggle to keep many young Browns players like Josh Gordon, Johnny Manziel and Justin Gilbert, engaged.
The bigger picture here is, of course, what is likely most troubling to Browns fans. Reports of Manziel's boorish approach to the NFL and the supposedly pervasive "toxic" culture owner Jimmy Haslam has brought to Cleveland streamed out of the Browns facility at the close of last season.
If things are as bad as Grossi's report - and all the other reports - suggest, or manage to somehow get worse during or after this upcoming season, something significant may need to change in Cleveland, likely starting with either Farmer or Pettine or both.
