Written by Jerry Roche

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As the Browns wind down another five-win season, rumors run rampant concerning the team’s next head coach and general manager.

One of those rumors has NFL Network sportscaster Mike Lombardi coming to the team as general manager, director of personnel, or some such title that would put him directly in charge of the annual college draft.

This particular rumor has evoked a wide range of criticism from long-time Browns fans and local sportswriters and sportscasters. For those readers who weren’t around during Lombardi’s first go-round with the team (1992-1996 director of player personnel; 1987-1991 pro personnel director), we offer a chart listing all of the college draft picks for which he was responsible (1992-1996). Few are memorable.

Also listed on the chart are his top college draft choices as director of the Philadelphia Eagles during 1998 and as the Oakland Raiders’ senior personnel executive during the years 1999 through 2007. We’ve listed all his choices less than No. 100 overall, with the exception of a few cases where No. 100+ choices went on to decent pro careers.

What is absolutely amazing is the fact that just two (by my count) of 68 position players have gone on to attain all-star or near-all-star status, those being OT Robert Gallery and DB Nnamdi Asomugha — although C Steve Everitt, CB Antonio Langham and WR Derrick Alexander had some not-bad years with the Browns.

Some of Lombardi’s picks were massive fails. We’re talking about “Touchdown” Tommy Vardell, No. 9 in 1992 and the king of them all, QB JaMarcus Russell, No. 1 overall in 2007.

This chart provided as a public service and reference to the few people who like the idea of Lombardi coming back to Cleveland.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays, Browns fans.