For the Cleveland Browns, the final twenty-plus years have been so stuffed with change over that “former Browns (something)” might imply a whole lot of various folks. For instance, earlier this week we shared about a former Browns first-round decide that was tearing it up within the USFL and, Friday, a former Browns receiver who was up for that league’s Sportsman of the 12 months Award.

Right this moment we get to speak a couple of former Cleveland Browns GM, Mike Lombardi. Lombardi was employed because the Browns head entrance workplace man in 2013 and let go the next yr. One way or the other that was lower than a decade in the past however feels nearer to twenty years in the past.

Since then, Lombardi was employed, labored for 2 seasons and was not re-signed by the New England Patriots. Throughout his time with the Pats, he was seen on digital camera with Cleveland-branded supplies whereas working for New England.

Formally, that was Lombardi’s final job within the league. He has labored within the media in several methods since.

Talking on the AFC North, Lombardi thinks the hiring of DC Jim Schwartz, not the participant strikes particularly, makes the Browns a sleeper within the division:

Given how poorly Cleveland’s protection performed final yr below then-DC Joe Woods and the way shut a few of their losses had been, Lombardi may very well be proper. Beforehand, we noticed that Schwartz was credited as part of including 4 wins for the workforce in a projection.

As regular with the NFL, credit score and blame for profitable and dropping falls each on the coaches and the gamers. Schwartz could be an awesome coach however the additions of Za’Darius Smith (famous by Lombardi), Dalvin Tomlinson, Juan Thornhill, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and others may even play an enormous position.

Be a part of our group within the remark part beneath: Which offseason transfer do you suppose could have the largest, optimistic influence on the Browns this season?