P.M. Cleveland Browns links: Ex-Browns exec Mike Lombardi raises hackles by knocking Joe Haden

Mike Lombardi's criticism of top pick Joe Haden gets the heat up under some Browns fans collars.

Cleveland, Ohio -- Mike Lombardi, who used to work for the Browns as director of player personnel, now serves as a senior analyst for nfl.com, does TV work and writes for various other outlets.

In some locations, the guy who shares a last name -- but no DNA -- with the most famous name in pro football is one of the most respected analysts around.

Not, apparently, among some Cleveland fans, and particularly those who post on the Orange and Brown Report, cle.scout.com, and one its forums: The Watercooler.

Writing for nfl.com, Lombardi had this to say:

According to coaches around the league, Browns first-round pick Joe Haden has not been very impressive in camps and might not have enough speed to play corner. Maybe all that talk about some in the organization wanting to pick Kyle Wilson, and some favoring Haden are true.

The nicest comment on The Watercooler comes from BrownsBot:

"It's Mike Lombardi. The next time he reports correctly on the Browns will be the first time."

And waitingfornextyear.com carried this post from Browns blogger Scott (WFNY doesn't use last names):

For full site disclosure, Lombardi's report may want to be taken with a grain of salt given his recent track record with specific regard to the Browns. It was the same columnist who stated that Jamal Lewis was at risk of not making the Browns' 53-man roster last fall, and was also was the victim of a pretty large swing-and-miss with regard to the Browns and head coach Eric Mangini. It is also worth noting that Lombardi was considerably anti-Haden leading up to the draft basing a lot of his thoughts on "what he had heard" and the players much-discussed 40-time.

Um, it might be worth noting that Lombardi left Cleveland as part of the Bill Belichick regime. Being professionally associated with guys who basically stink while here learning the head-coaching craft, then go elsewhere and win Super Bowls are not exactly popular in the Dawg Pound.

Just Joshin' ya
Daniel Wolf is one of the featured columnists on bleacherreport.com. His specialty: the Browns. In his most recent offering, Wolf writes of his fears that the Browns are overusing their greatest asset, namely one Josh Cribbs. And something clearly will have to go.

The gunner position (the two players whose job is to go straight to the ball on a punt or kickoff) is the first one to highlight, because the Browns do have one of the best special teams units in the NFL. They also have other strong gunners with Blake Costanzo and Ray Ventrone, both of whom should be able to make the final roster based on their special teams play as gunners.

Cribbs would obviously play a gunner in high pressure situations when the game is on the line, because he has been one of the best gunners in the last few years, but that may be the only time Browns fans see him darting through blockers to nail an opposing returner.

Also, Cribbs may see less work in the punt return game, since he is a much stronger kick returner anyway.The Browns may have to find another player to occasionally return punts in place of Cribbs . Who the other player will be remains to be seen and will hopefully be clearer once training camp practices begin.

At the end of the day, Cribbs will be an offensive weapon from many different positions and formations on offense as well as returning kicks. But with the added offensive snaps, don't expect to see Cribbs as a punt returner as much as he has been in the past, but much more than you will see him as a special teams gunner.

That's all well and good. Starting Blocks is all for resting Josh Cribbs so he can do what he does best. Right after he finishes leaping all those tall buildings in a single bound, etc.

About time
It really was a matter of time before coach Eric Mangini admitted/confessed that Jake Delhomme is the starter for this edition of the Browns. He did so Monday on "The Dan Patrick Show," a syndicated radio program helmed by the former ESPN talker, according to profootballtalk.com.

"It's really Jake's job to lose, and he did a great job during OTAs," Mangini said. "I couldn't have been happier with him, not just in terms of the way he learned the information but the way he ran the offense."

Still, Mangini says he's also impressed with Wallace and that he wants to make sure Wallace gets time working with the first-string offense.

"Seneca did a good job too," Mangini said. "I think it's important that Seneca gets some reps with the ones, so that if he goes in he does have some time with that group."

Wallace can also threaten opposing defenses with his feet, so it might make sense for the Browns to use Wallace at times in the wildcat formation. But the Browns are heading into training camp expecting Delhomme to be their starter.

The invective against their former quarterback by Panthers fans in the comments section is pretty frightening. But there is a really nice balance because Browns fans rallied to Delhomme's defense. Of course, that may be because Delhomme has yet to burn Cleveland fans by exhibiting his greatest gift ("throwing to the other team," according to one clearly razor-sharp wit). Regardless, it's nice to see Cleveland stick up for the guy and essentially give him the benefit of the doubt.

At least until that first INT.

Cincy talks
Cincinnati.com is doing a divisional breakdown of Bengal opponents. Which is good because Cincy fans have enough fingers to count the number of teams in the AFC North. It's also hard to challenge the reasoning because much of the logic comes from analyses by The Plain Dealer's own Tony Grossi.

But to sum up, the site suggests that football fans learn the name Clifton Geathers.

"(The defensive end), sixth-round pick of South Carolina, brother of Bengals' Robert and nephew of former NFLer Jumpy. Described as "a monster" physically by GM Tom Heckert, Geathers, a rangy 6-7 and 300 pounds, is very green but will have the opportunity impress because there is a lot of age on the D-line and questions (Rogers and Robaire Smith perhaps facing NFL suspensions for carrying guns at airports).

(The site also suggests Browns fans have) "lots of optimism because of: 1. Four wins to close out 2009, 2. More understanding of the demanding Mangini, 3. Better QB situation with Delhomme and Seneca Wallace. Third-round pick Colt McCoy is not expected to compete for much playing time as a rookie."

Starting Blocks isn't expected to get much playing time, either, so there's an even BETTER reason to be optimistic.