I don't mean to spoil this happy occasion with harsh realities. I'm sure you're all jumping with excitement and no doubt celebrating as much as any fan of an 0-3 team can. Hey, so am I. Saying Millen's resignation was long overdue is like saying it took a long time for the universe to be created. Both are massive understatements.
There is no doubt that Matt Millen was about as awful of a GM as you could possibly find. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith called him the worst executive in the history of team sports. I'm not exaggerating here. If you're a Lions fan, how can you disagree?
However, in this moment of euphoria. Take a moment to consider one thing. Think about the man who didn't resign. I'm referring of course to team owner, William Clay Ford.
If Matt Millen is the worst executive in the history of team sports, what does that make the man who hired him?
Bill Ford Jr. isn't getting off the hook either. Sure, he was the one who put pressure on his father and Millen days ago when he said he would fire Millen if he had the authority. His comments to the media obviously worked. Good job Bill.
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What people forget is that it was Bill Ford Jr. who reccomended Matt Millen to William Clay Ford. In fact Bill said he staked his reputation on Millen's success. Oops.
I will say this about Bill Ford. At least he recognized long ago that things weren't working out. As much of an embarrassment and shot to his pride as it was to make public comments about firing Millen to the media, he did it because it was necessary.
Again though, Bill Ford isn't in charge, his father is. Do we have faith in William Clay Ford's next hire? Well I'll just say this. The Lions were one of the best teams in the NFL when he took the team over in the last 50s. They have 1 playoff win since. No, I have absolutely no faith in Ford's ability to hire a competent GM.
Yes, I've heard Bill Cowher's name come up already. Yes, it would be a smart hire. We thought Steve Mariuchi was a smart hire too though. We thought Rod Marinelli was a smart hire. Well, you know, that whole bit about the Lions being a dark void where talent is sucked out, never to re-surface until you leave the black-hole known as Ford Field.
Progress? what's that?
Millen leaving is like a breath of fresh air, but this is the Lions we're talking about. They've been inventing new and creative ways to lose since 1957. One clown resigns so another can take his place. You want real change for this organization? Not until the joker at the top fires himself or sells the team.
Sorry to be the downer on this joyous occasion but I've watched and observed how this organization runs business for too long. That fool me once, fool me twice bit doesn't apply to Lions fans. We've been fooled dozens of times by now, but for some reason we keep coming back. This is our century though, can you feel it?
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about 1 month ago
I don't think anyone doubts you. Either way, Millen being gone is still worthy of a cheers. I guess you could compare it to the feelings of a lot of Americans with the upcoming election: It doesn't matter who or what, as long as Bush is gone.
about 1 month ago
Ding dong the witch is dead!!! HaHa! I completely agree with you Keith, and obviously the Lions are still years away from being a contender. But there's now a small sliver of hope whereas with Millen still sitting on the job there was none. That hope will last at least until we hear who's taking his place. And who knows? Maybe they get it right? The only GOOD thing about William Clay Ford is that he will completely hand the keys over to whomever he hires. If it's a good hire (I give that a 38% chance), then we're good to go for awhile. If its bad...return to Millen...do not pass go. Nice read!
p.s. 38% is the Lions winning percentage in my lifetime.
about 1 month ago
Gentlemen, I agree with all of you...., but as I mentioned in a previous comment, "It does not matter who, as long as it's not Millen." Anybody can do better. After all, as we all have agreed, the bar is pretty low. We can not ignore the slight success Millen did have. (...chuckling...) I know, I said Millen and success in the same sentence. He is responsible for what I feel is one of the most potentially devastating passing attacks, I've ever seen. It hasn't shown itself yet, but I must state, these receivers have been together for some time. Chemistry is a beautiful thing to have in any offense. Just wait, these guys are going to prove their worth. Furthering my point, this is a contract year for one of these guys. I've always found it best to look good for the new boss. I'm hoping #11 feels the same way. Matt is also responsible for Ernie Sims. This guy (if he stays healthy) is going to be a solid line-backer for some time. Now all they have to do is fix the d-line, and for Pete's sake, get some db's that can stop the run! The line-backers have a future multi-year pro bowler in their midst. His presence over time, will increase this young core's success. The fact, the Lions have been a bad team for nearly a decade is a testament to poor defense. If we recall, a lot of their losses were by one possession. So, what did Millen really teach us? I think he reiterated the age old expression: Offense gets the glory, but defense wins the game. With Detroit spending so much time and money on offense, we have ignored our defense. It is rather humorous that Millen tried to fix it in the end. Every move that he made as of late, was to improve the defense. That is what told me, he had to go. He got lucky with a lot of his offensive picks, coincidentally he assembled something special. That took how long? As a fan, I was not willing to let him have the same amount of time to address the defense. Especially, when I can clearly see how talented our offense can be. The offensive line is not the greatest, but in today's NFL with all of the injuries, if this o-line can stay healthy, they could look like pro-bowlers against 2nd and 3rd string players. As far as ownership goes, Ford should give the team to Detroit. This is a socialist concept, but think about it, If the city owned the team, every week 20,000 fans (as long as they are Detroit citizens for x amount of time) can come to games for free, while the other 45,000 seats are sold. Those fans who came for free in weeks before, will then work the games in various fashions. You know: food, security, cleaning etc.... And seeing that Detroit citizens are pretty resourceful, I'd find it hard to believe they could not build a winner. After all, before Ford officials began stinking up the place, Detroit made Ford a winner.
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