Comments for A tear for the Detroit Lions

A tear for the Detroit Lions

2008-09-23T17:52:06Z

A day after Detroit lost at San Francisco, falling to 0-3, Lions vice chairman Bill Ford essentially said he'd fire team president Matt Millen if he had the authority.
"I think the fans deserve better and if it were in my authority, which it's not, I'd make some significant changes," Ford said Monday.
Asked by a reporter if he believed Millen should leave the team, Ford said, "Yes, I do."
The Ford Motor Co. executive chairman is the son of William Clay Ford, the franchise's owner since 1964.
In rare interviews, the elder Ford has stood by his decision to hire Millen in 2001 and to stick with him since then. With Ford atop the franchise, the Lions have won only one playoff game and are an NFL-worst 31-84 since Millen took over in 2001.

I think this is Millen's last season. There is a big difference between talking and walking. Even when you once kind of walked. Who knew?

Comment from Just Another Greg on 2008-09-23

2008-09-23T18:08:33Z

If we're talking about dysfunctional NFL ownership, why not the Raiders? Their downfall is both A) More Entertaining because of crazy Al and B) More tragic, because they used to be one of the NFL's marquee franchises.

The Lions are sad in more of a bland way. Plus, it's no fun sticking it to a Lions fan. They've been through enough.

I'm reminded of a fine Simpsons moment where Homer beats up a Hamburgler look-alike, thinking he is a real criminal. A child yells out: "Stop it! He's already dead!"

Comment from frankie d on 2008-09-23

2008-09-23T18:12:45Z

and people wonder why the domestic auto industry is in the condition it is in!
all you have to do is look at the history of the detroit lions to get a clue as to the clueless leadership that ford has provided that franchise.
and then consider his, and his family's, position at the head of ford motor company....
those guys have been making the decisions that have set the course for the auto industry over the last half century or so!
is it any wonder that ford motor company and its brethren are in the shape they are in?!!!!

Comment from Tyler on 2008-09-23

2008-09-23T18:16:06Z

Amen Frankie, I couldn't have said it better.

Comment from Matt in HB on 2008-09-23

2008-09-23T18:36:13Z

As a lifelong (20+ years) Lions fan, I accept your pity. I think they'll be lucky to win 4 games this year and, if there is a god, Millen won't last to Thanksgiving.

Comment from DougEFresh on 2008-09-23

2008-09-23T18:37:18Z

Hey, the Lions were a marquee franchise, when Ike was in the White House.

A few years back, there was buzz that Bill Ford Jr was firmly in charge of the Lions and was going to get things done. I guess Ford Sr. didn't want to give up control.

Millen has stunk up the joint so badly, he needs to light a match. I don't know why a network would even hire him, I know I don't want to hear him opine on anything.

Comment from Libertarian on 2008-09-23

2008-09-23T18:43:42Z

The Lions downfall is more tragic than the Raiders because insanity is much more interesting than simple incompetance. Matt Millen should have been fired YEARS ago, the guy is a total idiot when it comes to football.

Comment from Natascha on 2008-09-23

2008-09-23T18:55:52Z

You know you've hit rock bottom when the 49ers beat you in a blow out.

Signed,

A niner fan

Comment from Steve on 2008-09-23

2008-09-23T19:02:58Z

Actually Ford is making much better vehicles these days than they used to, from what I hear. Maybe the kid has a good head on his shoulders.

William Clay Ford clearly has no belief in accountability. If he were in charge of the country, George Bush would get a third term.

Comment from frankie d on 2008-09-23

2008-09-23T19:09:56Z

all anyone needs to know about the elder ford's judgment is that he essentially let barry sanders walk away rather than fire bobby ross as head coach.
bobby ross!

Comment from JimS on 2008-09-23

2008-09-23T20:48:07Z

Boy, you know it's bad when other team's fans are pitying us. Really, how does Millen still have a job.

Comment from Green on 2008-09-23

2008-09-23T23:46:52Z

I've always been a fan of American cars, but man, you look at the way they run that franchise and have to sort of wonder how Ford motor has made it this long...Embarrassing

Comment from Lemar Mundane on 2008-09-23

2008-09-24T00:10:55Z

So is Matt Millen the White Isiah Thomas, or is Isiah Thomas the Black Matt Millen?

Discuss.

Comment from Lester Spence on 2008-09-23

2008-09-24T02:19:14Z

The answer is neither.

Isiah Thomas drafted Marcus Camby, Damon Stoudamire, Tracy McGrady, and a number of other quality players who are still in the league now. His draft record is acutally better than Dumars'.
Thomas' problem is that his free agent selections were with only a couple of exceptions (Crawford, MAYBE Artest) HORRIBLE.

There isn't a single area where Millen has shown competence. Not in the draft. Not in paying talent. Not in coddling talent--nothing like gay bashing one of your players on the radio.

People have been looking for proof of the culture of poverty in the wrong place. It isn't in the inner city of places like Detroit. It's in places like Ford Field. Ford Sr. has wealth, the support of the city, and a long history with the squad. There is no reason other than incompetence for the state of the Lions.

Comment from mattf on 2008-09-24

2008-09-24T10:49:56Z

They run the team the same way they run their company. Look for a line item for the government to assume Millen's contract tucked in their recent bailout request. (We haven't heard much about that request of, what $50 mil to make the auto industry more "competitive." As if.)

Comment from Frank on 2008-09-24

2008-09-24T14:26:00Z

Well the kid got his wish. Millen is officially gone.