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Have you heard? Matt Millen, former big time losing GM of the Detroit Lions, may return to TV as a football analyst. Hard to believe since he knew nothing about football and proved in many years in a row.

Rumor has it that they are looking for a wide receiver to be the other analyst in the booth. That is a joke, ok, sorry if you are a Lions fan. Wait a minute, you can’t be, there are no Lions fans left in the world, except me.

Oh, and by the way, there are no self respecting Lions fans, so what does Matt have to worry about.

But maybe everybody can just forget about all that and he’ll make a TV comeback. NBC will formally announce Monday that Millen — who appeared in the network’s studio Saturday — will join NBC’s Super Bowl coverage. On that show Saturday, Millen suggested he wasn’t initially qualified for his job — and deserved to be fired.

NBC Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol, in a statement, said “many of us have been blessed with second chances” but Millen was picked up because he’s “one of the very best football broadcasters of his generation.”

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Brett Favre fell over at the thought that he exposed secrets of the Packer offense

This story is almost too ludicrous to report, but report we must.

The story goes that Brett Favre called the Lions coaches before their game against the Packers and told them how to counter the Packers attack.

Several sources have told FOX Sports that Favre earlier this year phoned the Detroit Lions prior to their battle versus Favre’s old team, the Green Bay Packers, and gave them a rundown of the nuances of what Green Bay does on offense. According to the sources, Favre actually spent over an hour on the phone with Lions coaches, who were connected with Favre by then-team president Matt Millen.

While the Lions still lost and the Packers and Favre’s replacement Aaron Rodgers played well, it’s still baffling that the Packers legend would spend such a significant chunk of time giving tips to an opponent of his long-time franchise.

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Let’s go back to my original thesis that this is just too stupid. Maybe Brett talked to teams about the Packer offense when he was looking for a job, but certainly not in the detail required to defense the Packers.

One has to admit that was a curious game, though. The Lions were being pounded and came back to take the lead 25 to 24, but in the last 5:17 of that game the Packers scored 24 points to win big 48 - 25.

Hey, maybe Brett lied?

Photo source Newscom

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Matt Millen destroyed the Detroit Lions. One of his special skills was to pick wide receivers with ultra high draft picks. They are almost all gone, Charles Rodgers, Mike Williams, Roy Williams. Only Calvin Johnson remains out of that group.

Detroit Lions first round pics by picture back to 1985.

There are other Matt Millen 1st rounder’s still with the team. It is actually in day two where Matt Millen and company totally failed.

First rounders that are still with the team in Matt Millen’s eight drafts?
Jeff Backus
Ernie Sims
Calvin Johnson
Gosder Cherilus (not starting)

First rounders that are gone?
Joey Harrington
Charles Rodgers
Roy Williams
Kevin Jones
Mike Williams

Not exactly a stellar group of players considering how high the picks were each year.

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Matt Millen sitting with everyone that thought he should keep the job

Hey, hey, hey!

Your intrepid author went home today and told the wife, “Honey, don’t get me anything for Xmas, my present already arrived”. The Detroit Lions owner, William Clay Ford, fired Matt Millen the GM.

Finally there is something to look forward to in the Lions season. Now we can’t quit there. Just keep on firing. Get rid of the entire front office, the coaches, most of the players, maybe even the parking lot attendants. Ok, not the parking lot attendants.

The Lions have not fixed the problem. They have only reset the clock on a process that could take years.

Now they have to hire the right person — or people — to turn around this woebegone franchise. And when you think about the mess Millen leaves behind, you realize how big a job it’s going to be.

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We all came to realize that Matt did not know what he was doing, but did you know Matt did not even live in Michigan? He kept a home in Pennsylvania. Yeah, it was like he was a part time worker with no stake in the outcome.

What was Matt Millen’s record as a General Manager, something like 31 - 84? Is that right? Uhh, that only makes him the worst General Manager of all time in any sport in the history of mankind.

For all the ability Millen had as a multi-Super Bowl winner in his playing career, he was a fraud — a 31-84 record — when it came to building a team.

Millen, a Fox broadcaster when hired, talked a good game. He sounded like the smartest man when he broke down players on TV. He told you who could play and who couldn’t.

What most people missed is that it’s easier to determine the better players once they’re at the pro level. Being able to determine which college players can move to the next level is the hardest job.

Clearly, Millen had no clue.

Worse, he never asked for help
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It will still be a long road with Jon Kitna trying to be quarterback, no offensive or defensive line, Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson hardly getting the ball, Jim Colletto at offensive coordinator, and … need we go on?

And don’t forget the Silver Lining (can you have a silver lining when something good happens?), the Fords cannot hire someone worse than Millen, because that would be physically impossible. Nobody could do a worse job. The next GM automatically has to be an upgrade.

In fact, go get that parking lot attendant, at least he lives in Michigan.

Photo source Newscom

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The greatest mystery of the Universe is how Matt Millen, seen here shaking hands with Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford, can keep his job

The real question is how the Detroit Lions remain in the NFL.

You have Strahan calling them out on Fox TV saying you could see it in their eyes; they just don’t want to play. He got so bad even Jimmy Johnson tried to quiet him down, but he was just expressing what all of us have witnessed for 44 years of the William Clay Ford regime. The Lions stink.

One playoff victory in 44 years of Bill Ford ownership.

Today his son, Bill Ford Jr. called for Matt Millen’s head. Matt is the losingest GM in any sport anywhere all time. Here is Bill Ford Jr. at the Detroit Economic Club where they talk about Michigan’s 8.9% unemployment.

“It was an embarrassment, the fans deserve better, and if I had the authority, I would have fired the general manager,” Matt Millen, Ford said.

When asked again a few minutes later if he would fire Millen, he said, “Yes, but I don’t have that authority.”

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The season has turned into a mockery. The latest loss has two former Lions coming back to haunt us with J.T. O’Sullivan and Coach Mike Martz both of the San Francisco 49er’s combining to destroy the Lions.

O’Sullivan ran around and slung the ball as if he couldn’t have been more confident. In one stretch, he threw three straight completions, covered 67 yards and finished with a touchdown. It took a little over a minute.

And Martz? Well, this was like Dr. Evil playing basketball against Mini-Me. He was able to use double-reverses, over–the-top passes and running back Frank Gore, whom he sent into the teeth of the Lions’ worst-in-the-NFL rush defense — OK, not teeth, gums — only to see him burst out the other side for 130 yards and a touchdown.

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My complaints earlier pointed towards firing Coach Rod Marinelli thinking Matt Millen untouchable, but now? Hey, who knows?

It only gets worse as my complaints about the Lions failing to develop a backup quarterback to take over when Jon Kitna falls apart got worse as J.T. O’Sullivan looked pretty darn good and the games have gotten to the point that it does not matter if there is a backup QB.

Meanwhile, the Lions may have lost their starting quarterback. (Only in Detroit would this rank as the bottom third of a column.) Jon Kitna, who was getting mauled all game long, left the field with a knee injury in the final two minutes.

Kitna plays as if he’s ready to die on the field, and afterward, he looks like he has. He rightly points out that you can’t do much when you’re always two or three touchdowns behind.

By the way, the actual backup, Dan Orlovsky, came in and threw a screen pass for an interception. That pretty much seals his fate as the next starter. What else could you do with a Lions quarterback that actually threw a ball that was caught by someone?

Photo source Newscom

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The crowd at the draft was going crazy. The shouts of Caaaaaa-leb Caaaaaampbell were repeated by individuals wearing all different team uniforms. Soldiers are popular these days and they should be.

It does not matter what you think of the war in Iraq, it takes a brave and dedicated individual to represent and defend their country. Caleb Campbell is that kind of man and Coach Rod Marinelli recognized his character and his ability to play football.

Campbell is the first Army football player to benefit from a new policy allowing athletes with a chance to play professionally to complete their service by serving as recruiters and in the reserves.

Campbell will still be on active duty. He’ll serve as a recruiter, spending his Tuesday off days from the Lions visiting high schools and working. If his career lasts more than two seasons, he will have the option of buying out the last three years of his active-duty commitment in exchange for six years in the reserves.

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Not only was Caleb on the TV long before he was drafted, with an interview, but they brought him back for another interview after he was drafted in the 7th round by the Detroit Lions.

During the second interview, Coach Rod Marinelli of the Lions was brought on TV as well. Marinelli is a Vietnam vet and that was what all of us thought he would talk about, but he did not. All Marinelli wanted to talk about was Caleb’s football ability.

Lions coach Rod Marinelli, who served a tour in Vietnam, said on TV that picking the 6-foot-2, 229-pound Campbell was no flyer, and that the former Black Knights defensive back would be used as a linebacker, at least initially. The son of GM Matt Millen is a cadet at West Point.

Campbell “embodies what the academy is all about, and that’s what everyone in this country should be trying to be,” Millen said. “He’s got skills, he’s got desire and he’s going to get a great opportunity.”

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Caleb was a safety at Army and will be a linebacker for the Detroit Lions and he was excited by all the fans!

“This is incredible,” Campbell said. “It gives me goosebumps. It’s awesome.”

NFL Football special comment This was definitely the highlight of day two of the draft.

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And out of the mist came Calvin Johnson

Why do we all think that later on we know better?

Let us go on record here. Your intrepid author wanted Calvin Johnson last year. Still do.

My friend, RonB, actually beat the drum for Adrian Peterson. Did he know something the rest of us didn’t? Maybe. Ask him.

Of course, it is easy to look backwards and say you should have picked the Lottery numbers that won.

Oakland, in my estimation, would have done better to trade their pick away for multiple picks. They are just too weak at many positions. But Al Davis was set on JaMarcus Russell and all his gaudy tryout stats. In other words, he fits the mold of a possible great one. How many of us disagreed with Al? Is that a hand in the back of the room?

Now there are many that are seemingly all knowing and criticize last year’s picks.

Is everybody finally ready to concede what’s now painfully obvious? The Lions blew it when they drafted Calvin Johnson last year with the second overall pick instead of offensive tackle Joe Thomas or running back Adrian Peterson. The final piece of damning evidence against the decision is the team’s preparation for next month’s draft. source

Now you put me in the position of defending the General Manager of the Detroit Lions, Mr. His Name We do not Speak. Not being privy to what other teams were really offering for the pick, Calvin was the obvious choice. Obvious.

Joe Thomas was a left tackle. The Lions had one already.

Adrian Peterson had a history of injuries in college and Kevin Jones was due to return and Tatum Bell was under contract.
Calvin Johnson would fit Mike Martz offensive scheme.

But, more important, the Browns and Vikings are both on an upward trajectory, thanks largely to those selections.

The Lions are headed downward.

The underlying message is irrefutable. Wide receivers aren’t building blocks for success. They’re merely supportive components.

Hope Jerry Rice is not listening or Randy Moss or Terrell Owens.

Wait, did he say the Browns and Vikes are headed up?

The Vikes improved because of Read more

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Matt Millen and owner Bill Ford Sr. discussing something other than football

This one was tough to pick, but ultimately had to be Matt Millen of the Lions.

Isiah Thomas of the Knicks put up a mighty battle, but just could not be inept enough.

Q: What do you think of your 31-81 record?

A: “It’s awful. It’s beyond awful. I understand that.” source

Yes, Matt is known as the General Manager whose name we do not speak. It is not Lord Valdemort, it is Matt ValdeMillen.

Number of times Lions have finished with 3 wins or less in his six seasons as G.M.: 3

Number of times Lions have finished with 3 wins or less with 16-game schedule before Millen: 1 (1979)

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This year the Lions expect to draft a wide receiver in the draft with their first pick, because isn’t that what His Name We do not Speak always does?

Do other team’s fans know how hard it is to go into a season knowing you stink?

Now Matt and Coach Rod Marinelli are busy accumulating recent Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Why? Oh, just a hobby for Coach Marinelli to see the old guys once again.

Maybe Matt does not even know it is going on.

They signed about 7 safetys now in the off season, so that only leaves corners, linebackers, and linemen that are needed on defense, but the Lions will be strong at safety.

Hey, just can’t take this any longer. Gotta go take a valium or something.

NFL Football Fan Question Would you hire Matt Millen?

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Coach Rod Marinelli looks to the sky and confuses Buck hunting season with Buc signing season

In one of the oddest set of player pickups in years, the Detroit Lions have signed 7 former Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the last two years.

It was strange last year to see ex-coach Mike Martz request and get several former St. Louis Rams. He claimed they knew his offense already. Evidently they did not, because he is gone to the 49ers.

This year and last, Coach Rod Marinelli keeps asking for former Bucs to visit Detroit and sign. Now some of them were not on the Bucs last year, but here is the list.

Lions coach Rod Marinelli, a former Tampa Bay assistant, sure loves former Buccaneers. Brian Kelly, above, is the seventh former Buc the Lions have signed since Marinelli became coach. Years with Tampa in parentheses.

• Jon Bradley, FB (2004-06)

• Chuck Darby, DT (2001-04)

• Brian Kelly, CB (1998-2007)

• Kalvin Pearson, S (2005-07)

• Corey Smith, DE (2002-04)

• Dwight Smith, S (2001-04)

• Dewayne White, DE (2003-06)

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Marinelli claims he knows them already and what they can do, but it sure does seem as if a lot of them are in the downside of their careers.

Oh well, it is the Lions, so what do you expect.

When your GM is…Oh we don’t speak his name around here and it is not Lord Valdemort, you have to expect something strange.

The GM will go to the Matt for Marinelli and he is Millen those Bucs to become Lions.

NFL Football Fan Question Just how do you think these moves will turn out?

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The Jets have something in common with the Detroit Lions Damien Woody. Both of them have an insatiable appetite. Only the Jets appetite appears to be for linemen.

Yesterday it was Alan Faneca and today they are after Damien Woody.

Woody, 30, is projected as the starting right tackle, replacing Anthony Clement, but he never played the position until the final five games of last season. Between Woody and left guard Alan Faneca, whose five-year, $40 million contract will be announced today, the Jets have addressed the two weakest positions on their offensive line.

Listed at 6-3, 335, Woody, who made the Pro Bowl in 2002 with the Patriots, has battled a weight problem. source

Granted, sometimes guys just need a change of venue, but Damien got his big fat contract from the Lions and just started getting bigger and fatter until he had to hit the Fat Farm. Supposedly he lost a lot of fat on the farm, but still did not play that well and now is being offered another big fat contract.

So good luck Jets on this one.

It could be a big fat mistake.

NFL Football Fan Question Would sign Damien Woody?

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