Lions plan to retain Matt Millen as GM

tk13 · 01-02-2007, 04:33 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/s...=ESPNHeadlines

Millen returning; Lions 24-72 under his watch
ESPN.com news services

Another subpar season won't cost Lions president Matt Millen his job.

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.

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.

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.

**alpha_omega** · 01-02-2007, 04:36 PM

I thought for sure he would be the first person fired after the season ended.

Glad i am not a Lions fan.

Archie Bunker · 01-02-2007, 04:36 PM

Skyy God · 01-02-2007, 04:41 PM

Calvin Johnson may be available at the 3rd slot....

Deberg_1990 · 01-02-2007, 04:42 PM

Wow.......just wow.....Id seriously shoot myself if i was Lions fan.

Rooster · 01-02-2007, 04:46 PM

It's all Carl's fault. As long as MM is still in Detroit King Carl isn't the worst GM. Damn it Carl

**Bowser** · 01-02-2007, 04:51 PM

Can't wait to see that craptastic team get blasted on turkey day yet again.

They should forfit their rights to the Thansgiving Day game just for keeping Millen.

Halfcan · 01-02-2007, 05:05 PM

And I though King Carl sucked-at least with the Chiefs lucking into the playoffs-Carl can justify raising the tickets 15%.

Sure-Oz · 01-02-2007, 05:06 PM

The Owner needs to sell that team to someone who cares.

**banyon** · 01-02-2007, 05:20 PM

I bust a gut when they talked about this on Fox's Sunday pre-game.

Terry Bradshaw had said that sometimes he gets to defend his buddies on air, at which point Howie Long asked if he could defend his buddy, Matt Millen to which Bradshaw said sure.

Coincidentally, I think, the next feature was them answering some viewer e-mails. The very next e-mail was from some kid in Detroit, "Dear FOX sunday crew, Does God hate the Lions?"

Howie Long tried to be funny and talk about the stadium beilt built on a burial ground or something, but then Jimmy Johnson leaned over to his right shoulder and looked at him and said "Maybe it's your buddy!"

Demonpenz · 01-02-2007, 05:20 PM

is there anyway they can get jarrett and calvin johnson?

chiefqueen · 01-02-2007, 05:26 PM

Well, I guess we can chalk up 1 victory for the Chiefs next year, the only negative is the San Diego and Denver gets to play Detriot as well. So does Oakland, I think the NFL will have Detroit @ Oakland as a Sunday night game. (/sarcasm)

Hound333 · 01-02-2007, 05:32 PM

I think the owner is just being stubborn hoping that someday they will win so he can give the city a big "I told you so". To bad MM sucks and that will never happen as long as he's the GM. I really really feel for Lions fans.

brent102fire · 01-02-2007, 05:36 PM

IMO, CP isn't all that bad. I think he has made some mistakes in his Defensive Tackle draft picks, hiring Gunther but retaining all the same sub-par players a few years ago and a few FA signings that didn't work out. Is there an NFL Team that doesn't deal with those issues? On the flip side, CP has also drafted some HOF'ers and signed some top FA's to try to get this team into the post season. I think CP wants to win as much as any other Chiefs Player or Chiefs Fan. Atleast Matt Millen is in Detroit...

**Skip Towne** · 01-02-2007, 05:44 PM

Matt Millen?? What are those people thinking? Why did they ever hire him? I wouldn't let him run a coin laundry even if I had a coin laundry.

01-02-2007, 04:33 PM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1952500	Lions plan to retain Matt Millen as GM http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/s...=ESPNHeadlines Millen returning; Lions 24-72 under his watch ESPN.com news services Another subpar season won't cost Lions president Matt Millen his job. 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. 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. 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.
Posts: 54,957

01-02-2007, 04:36 PM	#2
alpha_omega Supporter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Liberty Casino cash: $1611251	I thought for sure he would be the first person fired after the season ended. Glad i am not a Lions fan.
Posts: 16,741

01-02-2007, 04:36 PM	#3
Archie Bunker The Wait Is Over Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Random Small Town Casino cash: $1988978
Posts: 6,193

01-02-2007, 04:41 PM	#4
Skyy God 11-5, baby Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Livin the dream Casino cash: $2191557	Calvin Johnson may be available at the 3rd slot....
Posts: 22,416

01-02-2007, 04:42 PM	#5
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	Wow.......just wow.....Id seriously shoot myself if i was Lions fan. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 66,914

01-02-2007, 04:46 PM	#6
Rooster Draft a QB Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: JoCo Casino cash: $9961689	It's all Carl's fault. As long as MM is still in Detroit King Carl isn't the worst GM. Damn it Carl __________________ When Reno Hightower was a prick he was the best damn quarterback in the history of Kern County.
Posts: 5,753

01-02-2007, 04:51 PM	#7
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3411616	Can't wait to see that craptastic team get blasted on turkey day yet again. They should forfit their rights to the Thansgiving Day game just for keeping Millen.
Posts: 100,746

01-02-2007, 05:05 PM	#8
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	And I though King Carl sucked-at least with the Chiefs lucking into the playoffs-Carl can justify raising the tickets 15%.
Posts: 43,200

01-02-2007, 05:20 PM	#10
banyon Supporter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hermosa, SD Casino cash: $10176551	I bust a gut when they talked about this on Fox's Sunday pre-game. Terry Bradshaw had said that sometimes he gets to defend his buddies on air, at which point Howie Long asked if he could defend his buddy, Matt Millen to which Bradshaw said sure. Coincidentally, I think, the next feature was them answering some viewer e-mails. The very next e-mail was from some kid in Detroit, "Dear FOX sunday crew, Does God hate the Lions?" Howie Long tried to be funny and talk about the stadium beilt built on a burial ground or something, but then Jimmy Johnson leaned over to his right shoulder and looked at him and said "Maybe it's your buddy!" __________________ “When war breaks out people say: 'It won't last, it's too stupid.' And war is certainly too stupid, but that doesn't prevent It from lasting.” ~Albert Camus, The Plague.
Posts: 44,355

01-02-2007, 05:20 PM	#11
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3102136	is there anyway they can get jarrett and calvin johnson? __________________
Posts: 54,274

01-02-2007, 05:26 PM	#12
chiefqueen On my throne Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $8172060	Well, I guess we can chalk up 1 victory for the Chiefs next year, the only negative is the San Diego and Denver gets to play Detriot as well. So does Oakland, I think the NFL will have Detroit @ Oakland as a Sunday night game. (/sarcasm)
Posts: 4,179

01-02-2007, 05:32 PM	#13
Hound333 Starter Join Date: Jul 2006 Casino cash: $7295392	I think the owner is just being stubborn hoping that someday they will win so he can give the city a big "I told you so". To bad MM sucks and that will never happen as long as he's the GM. I really really feel for Lions fans.
Posts: 654

01-02-2007, 05:36 PM	#14
brent102fire Perfection Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Ladera Ranch, CA Casino cash: $10004900	IMO, CP isn't all that bad. I think he has made some mistakes in his Defensive Tackle draft picks, hiring Gunther but retaining all the same sub-par players a few years ago and a few FA signings that didn't work out. Is there an NFL Team that doesn't deal with those issues? On the flip side, CP has also drafted some HOF'ers and signed some top FA's to try to get this team into the post season. I think CP wants to win as much as any other Chiefs Player or Chiefs Fan. Atleast Matt Millen is in Detroit... __________________ "Ladies and Gentlemen of the supposed jury, Charlie Sheen is innocent because Chewbacca is from Kishic."-Johnny Cochran
Posts: 3,905

01-02-2007, 05:44 PM	#15
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	Matt Millen?? What are those people thinking? Why did they ever hire him? I wouldn't let him run a coin laundry even if I had a coin laundry.
Posts: 69,689