Detroit Lions Weblog

Lions Need to Improve Their Scouting and Evaluation Processes

“Killer” Kowalski, guru of all things Lion, has written another excellent article about how the poor job that is being done by “Mr. 30-77″, Matt Millen, in scouting, talent evaluation, and drafting, has really hurt the Lions, meanwhile the job that is being done by Packers GM Ted Thompson, has really helped them to become Super Bowl contenders.

The Packers started seven players who were drafted in the 4th round or later against the Lions on Thanksgiving.   The Lions started zero, unless you count Jonathan Scott, who started two games because George Foster was SO bad.   The Packers have two seventh round draft picks (Scott Wells and Mark Tauscher) starting on their O-Line and a fifth-rounder (Aaron Kampman) and a sixth-rounder(Corey Williams) starting on their D-line.

The Lions ongoing problems with scouting, talent evaluation, and drafting has hurt them perennially, but it has been particularly bad under Matt Millen’s watch.   As time progresses, the situation seems to compound itself, rather than improve.

All NFL teams weather injuries, especially season-ending ones, but only the good teams are able to plug in players who can provide legitimate help, and not damage the team’s immediate chances for winning.   During Matt Millen’s interminable rebuilding process, even if the team is performing better this season, it seems that depth has been a constant liability.

It stands as a true indictment of how bad Millen has been, that while the Lions are on the cusp of contending for the playoffs at 6-2, that his house of cards had began crumbling, again.   Until the talent evaluation processes are altered in the front office, the Lions will continue to find themselves in deep trouble organizationally and on the field as well.

The Lions will be at an impasse if they fall out of playoff contention during the next five weeks.   How can Millen seriously ask for more from the coaching staff, given all of the errors that he has made.   If Coach Mike Martz is thrown under the bus, which appears likely, how can Milllen continue to be entrusted with the Lions future.

I guess, the more things change, the more they stay the same, especially as it concerns the Detroit Lions and their 50 plus year championship-less drought.