Browns hire Michael Lombardi for front office

BEREA, Ohio (AP) ? The Cleveland Browns have hired TV analyst Michael Lombardi as their vice president of player personnel.

Lombardi has 22 years of pro front office experience, but he has spent the past five seasons working for the NFL Network. He previously worked for the Browns from 1987-95 under then-coach Bill Belichick. Lombardi has also worked for new Browns CEO Joe Banner in Philadelphia and the two have maintained a close relationship. Last week, Banner denied Lombardi was assisting him in the club's coaching search.

Lombardi has also worked in San Francisco and Oakland, where he spent eight seasons (1999-2007).

The Browns have been looking for a general manager or personnel director since Tom Heckert was fired following a 5-11 season. Heckert overhauled Cleveland's roster in three seasons.

Last week, the team hired former Carolina offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski as its sixth coach since 1999.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-01-18-FBN-Browns-Lombardi/id-dc7321a3c8e94f5092e502dc28dd7675

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