Another subpar season won't cost Lions president Matt Millen his job.
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=275 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=3><CENTER>Six Years Later...</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD colSpan=3>
The record since president Matt Millen was hired in 2001 by the Detroit Lions, who are an NFL-worst 24-72 in that time: </TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" vAlign=top></TD><TD><CENTER>Year</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>W-L-T</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>How finished</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD><CENTER>2001</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>2-14-0</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Last in NFC Central</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" vAlign=top><TD><CENTER>2002</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>3-13-0</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Last in NFC Central</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD><CENTER>2003</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>5-11-0</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Last in NFC Central</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" vAlign=top><TD><CENTER>2004</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>6-10-0</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Third in NFC North</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD><CENTER>2005</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>5-11-0</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Third in NFC North</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" vAlign=top><TD><CENTER>2006</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>3-13-0</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Last in NFC North</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
Millen, who has a 24-72 record in his first six seasons, will return next season. He still has four years left on the contract extension he was given last season.
Millen said Tuesday that quitting is not an option he has considered despite criticism of the team's dismal performance in his tenure.
"I'll never quit,'' Millen said in an interview with a small group of reporters, including The Detroit News, which posted some of his comments on its Web site. "I can't do that. I don't even consider that."
"It's the way I'm made."
Asked why he wouldn't quit, Millen replied: "You're given a job, regardless of what it is. You keep on working and trying to get the thing done."
The Lions beat Dallas on Sunday, closing the season an NFC-low 3-13.
Detroit was proud of proving it didn't quit on the miserable season by beating a playoff team in Week 17. The victory snapped a seven-game skid and a winless mark on the road in 2006.
It also cost the Lions the No. 1 pick in the draft -- an asset they could've used to perhaps trade for picks and players.
"I really don't want to be one or two," receiver Roy Williams said. "I'd rather be picking 31st."
Millen would, too, because such a low pick indicates success.
The Lions, who fired defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson and offensive line coach Larry Beightol on Tuesday, have struggled so much since Millen, a former linebacker and analyst, took over that they're had the No. 2 pick twice, No. 3 once and three other top-10 picks.
Some of the players taken with those picks haven't panned out and that begins to explain the mess the team is in six years after Millen arrived to lead a once-mediocre franchise.
About 100 Detroit fans held a protest during the second quarter of the last home game of the season Dec. 24 against the Chicago Bears. The fans left their seats midway through the quarter and gathered in Ford Field's atrium, where they chanted "Fire Millen" while watching the game on the scoreboard.
Before Detroit's final home game, Millen said he talked to team owner William Clay Ford after each game and when they met in the middle of the season, they talked about plans for the next year.
Quarterback Joey Harrington and receiver Charles Rogers -- a third and second pick overall, respectively -- were discarded in 2006 and some have speculated that 2005 first-round pick Mike Williams will be the next to go.
Williams expects and wants to be back.
"People call me a bust, so when you get that label, there's no pressure," said Williams, who had a touchdown on Sunday to end his 30-game scoreless streak. "I don't worry about people talking about my weight and work ethic because I'm doing what I love to do and a lot of people can't say that.
"Things haven't started out pretty for me in the NFL, but that's going to change."
Detroit has more needs than picks in the draft and not enough cap space to fill every hole with free agency.
"There are a lot of things that need to be fixed," quarterback Jon Kitna said.
Information from ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton and The Associated Press was used in this report.
<!-- INLINE TABLE (BEGIN) --><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=275 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=3><CENTER>Six Years Later...</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD colSpan=3>
The record since president Matt Millen was hired in 2001 by the Detroit Lions, who are an NFL-worst 24-72 in that time: </TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" vAlign=top></TD><TD><CENTER>Year</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>W-L-T</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>How finished</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD><CENTER>2001</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>2-14-0</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Last in NFC Central</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" vAlign=top><TD><CENTER>2002</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>3-13-0</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Last in NFC Central</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD><CENTER>2003</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>5-11-0</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Last in NFC Central</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" vAlign=top><TD><CENTER>2004</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>6-10-0</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Third in NFC North</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD><CENTER>2005</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>5-11-0</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Third in NFC North</CENTER></TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" vAlign=top><TD><CENTER>2006</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>3-13-0</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER>Last in NFC North</CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- INLINE TABLE (END) -->
Millen, who has a 24-72 record in his first six seasons, will return next season. He still has four years left on the contract extension he was given last season.
Millen said Tuesday that quitting is not an option he has considered despite criticism of the team's dismal performance in his tenure.
"I'll never quit,'' Millen said in an interview with a small group of reporters, including The Detroit News, which posted some of his comments on its Web site. "I can't do that. I don't even consider that."
"It's the way I'm made."
Asked why he wouldn't quit, Millen replied: "You're given a job, regardless of what it is. You keep on working and trying to get the thing done."
The Lions beat Dallas on Sunday, closing the season an NFC-low 3-13.
Detroit was proud of proving it didn't quit on the miserable season by beating a playoff team in Week 17. The victory snapped a seven-game skid and a winless mark on the road in 2006.
It also cost the Lions the No. 1 pick in the draft -- an asset they could've used to perhaps trade for picks and players.
"I really don't want to be one or two," receiver Roy Williams said. "I'd rather be picking 31st."
Millen would, too, because such a low pick indicates success.
The Lions, who fired defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson and offensive line coach Larry Beightol on Tuesday, have struggled so much since Millen, a former linebacker and analyst, took over that they're had the No. 2 pick twice, No. 3 once and three other top-10 picks.
Some of the players taken with those picks haven't panned out and that begins to explain the mess the team is in six years after Millen arrived to lead a once-mediocre franchise.
About 100 Detroit fans held a protest during the second quarter of the last home game of the season Dec. 24 against the Chicago Bears. The fans left their seats midway through the quarter and gathered in Ford Field's atrium, where they chanted "Fire Millen" while watching the game on the scoreboard.
Before Detroit's final home game, Millen said he talked to team owner William Clay Ford after each game and when they met in the middle of the season, they talked about plans for the next year.
Quarterback Joey Harrington and receiver Charles Rogers -- a third and second pick overall, respectively -- were discarded in 2006 and some have speculated that 2005 first-round pick Mike Williams will be the next to go.
Williams expects and wants to be back.
"People call me a bust, so when you get that label, there's no pressure," said Williams, who had a touchdown on Sunday to end his 30-game scoreless streak. "I don't worry about people talking about my weight and work ethic because I'm doing what I love to do and a lot of people can't say that.
"Things haven't started out pretty for me in the NFL, but that's going to change."
Detroit has more needs than picks in the draft and not enough cap space to fill every hole with free agency.
"There are a lot of things that need to be fixed," quarterback Jon Kitna said.
Information from ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton and The Associated Press was used in this report.
catsfan said:
I AGREE, I THINK HE BANGED FORD.JR IN THE ASS..SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT THERE. I GAVE UP MY SEASON TICKETS BECAUSE CLAY AND HIS SON ARE DUMB FUCKS...LOOK AT FORD STOCK...7$ A SHARE, GIVE ME A BREAK..KEEP HIRING BECAUSE OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, AND LOOK AT YOUR RESULTS.....A CAR DYNASTY ON THE BRINK OF DESTRUCTION...
Those numbnuts probably wouldn't get the message if every fan in Detroit boycotted a game and left the stands completely empty. Now that would be funny, lets see a preseason game with about 100 people who didn't get the memo in the seats while a mob is chanting to fire Millen outside. Naw, the owners would still say Millen is their guy.
THE TIDE HAS TURNED IN DETROIT!!!
DETROIT 44, DENVER 7
MICHAEL ROSENBERG: Matt Millen for president
ope:ope:
November 4, 2007
By MICHAEL ROSENBERG
FREE PRESS SPORTS COLUMNIST
These are heady times here at Matt Millen for President headquarters. The NFL regular season is half over and the Lions have won three-quarters of their games.
Some people would say that half a season doesn’t mean much. Those people are entitled to their opinions. We’re not going to judge them or their desire to raise your taxes and pillage your communities.
Here at Millen in ’08, we just figure that since Millen has done … uh, is doing such a wonderful job as President of the Lions, why not hand him the whole country?
The Lions just beat the Denver Broncos, 44-7. According to NFL rules, they are now entitled to annex the state of Colorado. Two states down, 48 left.
Then there is Hawaii, home of the Pro Bowl. Shaun Rogers, Jon Kitna, Kevin Jones, Mike Furrey’s rear end — they’re all going. Plus Dominic Raiola lives there. So that’s three states.
As for the rest … come on, why not? The Lions are not just 6-2. They whipped Chicago and Denver in convincing fashion. Even if they go 3-5 in the second half — which is impossible, with such firm leadership at the helm — they will finish 9-7 and likely make the playoffs.
As Roy Williams said, “you have to name us with the elite teams in the NFC.”
We understand you might be skeptical. That’s OK. Here at Millen in ’08, we believe in a free press, as well as the Free Press, and also a free press buffet. So we are happy to answer any and all questions about our campaign.
QUESTION: Didn’t you predict the Lions would go 5-11 this season?
A: Next question.
Q: In Millen’s first six seasons, the Lions put together a 24-72 record, which shouldn’t even happen if your helmets are on backwards. Do you really want him running the country after a 6-2 start?
A: We’re not here to talk about the past.
Q: The Lions have a 35-year-old journeyman quarterback, a patchwork veteran offensive line, and possibly the worst cornerbacks in the whole NFL. Do you really think Millen has built a winner for the long haul?
A: We’re not here to talk about the future, either.
Q: Then why are we here?
A: Ahhhh. Finally. An existential question.
We are here to talk about a man who withstood six years of hailstones without complaint and is now at the helm of a 6-2 team. He has gone through all the Five Books of Moses (Genesis, Ugly Numbers, The Dudes Are On To Me, Livin’ to Cuss and Refusal to Exodus) and has emerged unscathed.
Yeah, sure, Millen had a few missteps. But that just makes him a man of the people, right? I mean, when was the last time YOU won a Super Bowl?
Millen hired the right guy, Rod Marinelli, to coach the Lions. OK, so first he hired Marty Mornhinweg and then Steve Mariucci. It’s not easy to find the right guy when your bought your Official NFL Coaches Rolodex on eBay and it only has “M” names in it.
The point is that Marinelli is turning things around. Some Lion veterans said this last year, even when the team was losing two or three games per weekend. Now everybody can see it.
“Coach (used) a great example: people on the back of the boat, not quite with the guys yet, are moving to the front and believing,” defensive end Dewayne White said. “That’s what’s going on right now.”
(Did I just hear “We Shall Overcome” in the background?)
Q: If Marinelli is the leader of the team, where does Millen fit in?
A: At Millen in ’08, we humbly describe our man’s management style as “genius.” Like Paris Hilton, it rubs off on everybody. Even the players are learning from Millen.
“I am on my fantasy team,” said Williams, who caught just three passes for 44 yards and no touchdowns. “I think I’m gonna bench myself.”
Q: If we throw our support behind Millen, and the Lions start stinking again, we can still chant “Fire Millen,” can’t we?
A: What kind of question is that? Our man won’t fail.
“This is what he’s been working for the last seven years,” left tackle Jeff Backus said. “Fans aren’t chanting ‘Fire Millen’ anymore. Everything is positive, everything is moving forward.”
On with the campaign!
DETROIT 44, DENVER 7
MICHAEL ROSENBERG: Matt Millen for president
ope:ope:November 4, 2007
By MICHAEL ROSENBERG
FREE PRESS SPORTS COLUMNIST
These are heady times here at Matt Millen for President headquarters. The NFL regular season is half over and the Lions have won three-quarters of their games.
Some people would say that half a season doesn’t mean much. Those people are entitled to their opinions. We’re not going to judge them or their desire to raise your taxes and pillage your communities.
Here at Millen in ’08, we just figure that since Millen has done … uh, is doing such a wonderful job as President of the Lions, why not hand him the whole country?
The Lions just beat the Denver Broncos, 44-7. According to NFL rules, they are now entitled to annex the state of Colorado. Two states down, 48 left.
Then there is Hawaii, home of the Pro Bowl. Shaun Rogers, Jon Kitna, Kevin Jones, Mike Furrey’s rear end — they’re all going. Plus Dominic Raiola lives there. So that’s three states.
As for the rest … come on, why not? The Lions are not just 6-2. They whipped Chicago and Denver in convincing fashion. Even if they go 3-5 in the second half — which is impossible, with such firm leadership at the helm — they will finish 9-7 and likely make the playoffs.
As Roy Williams said, “you have to name us with the elite teams in the NFC.”
We understand you might be skeptical. That’s OK. Here at Millen in ’08, we believe in a free press, as well as the Free Press, and also a free press buffet. So we are happy to answer any and all questions about our campaign.
QUESTION: Didn’t you predict the Lions would go 5-11 this season?
A: Next question.
Q: In Millen’s first six seasons, the Lions put together a 24-72 record, which shouldn’t even happen if your helmets are on backwards. Do you really want him running the country after a 6-2 start?
A: We’re not here to talk about the past.
Q: The Lions have a 35-year-old journeyman quarterback, a patchwork veteran offensive line, and possibly the worst cornerbacks in the whole NFL. Do you really think Millen has built a winner for the long haul?
A: We’re not here to talk about the future, either.
Q: Then why are we here?
A: Ahhhh. Finally. An existential question.
We are here to talk about a man who withstood six years of hailstones without complaint and is now at the helm of a 6-2 team. He has gone through all the Five Books of Moses (Genesis, Ugly Numbers, The Dudes Are On To Me, Livin’ to Cuss and Refusal to Exodus) and has emerged unscathed.
Yeah, sure, Millen had a few missteps. But that just makes him a man of the people, right? I mean, when was the last time YOU won a Super Bowl?
Millen hired the right guy, Rod Marinelli, to coach the Lions. OK, so first he hired Marty Mornhinweg and then Steve Mariucci. It’s not easy to find the right guy when your bought your Official NFL Coaches Rolodex on eBay and it only has “M” names in it.
The point is that Marinelli is turning things around. Some Lion veterans said this last year, even when the team was losing two or three games per weekend. Now everybody can see it.
“Coach (used) a great example: people on the back of the boat, not quite with the guys yet, are moving to the front and believing,” defensive end Dewayne White said. “That’s what’s going on right now.”
(Did I just hear “We Shall Overcome” in the background?)
Q: If Marinelli is the leader of the team, where does Millen fit in?
A: At Millen in ’08, we humbly describe our man’s management style as “genius.” Like Paris Hilton, it rubs off on everybody. Even the players are learning from Millen.
“I am on my fantasy team,” said Williams, who caught just three passes for 44 yards and no touchdowns. “I think I’m gonna bench myself.”
Q: If we throw our support behind Millen, and the Lions start stinking again, we can still chant “Fire Millen,” can’t we?
A: What kind of question is that? Our man won’t fail.
“This is what he’s been working for the last seven years,” left tackle Jeff Backus said. “Fans aren’t chanting ‘Fire Millen’ anymore. Everything is positive, everything is moving forward.”
On with the campaign!
