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Unlike Lombardi, who was frequently visible around the team and available to the media, Blake, who was in the final year of his contract, rarely spoke publicly.

Less than four years later the team fired general manager Dean Lombardi, the architect of its two Stanley Cup champions, and promoted Blake, who quickly went about expanding the team’s player-development program, adding strength and conditioning coaches, a sports dietitian, a psychologist and other specialists, making it one of the most robust in the NHL.

Does anyone know what Dean Lombardi is doing these days?

In a city loaded with football-themed street names — Lombardi Avenue, Bart Starr Drive, Brett Favre Pass — Sanders discovered a disappointing dead end.

The process of building out that philosophy began under former general manager Dean Lombardi, who introduced some sports science pieces and other technologies while leading the team to two Stanley Cups.