Mike Lombardi

In 2007, when the Raiders drafted JaMarcus Russell, Mike Lombardi was the Raiders top executive in charge of player personnel. Russell is commonly viewed as the worst draft pick in NFL history. Over time Lombardi has managed to spread the story that he really wasn't in charge of that draft. Al Davis made the pick of Russell.

Earlier this week when the Browns picked DE Barkevious Mingo with their first round pick, it was hard not to recall that the last time Lombardi picked a LB in round 1 he was employed as Director of Personnel for our Browns and picked Craig Powell.  When I pointed that out several fans answered that Belichick, not Lombardi, was pulling the strings in that draft. 

It's simply not true that Lombardi was not involved in numerous failed draft picks but you do have to take your hat off to Mike Lombardi for his incredible ability to manipulate the media and revise history when it suits him.