Comments on: Millen, “Big Baby”, Roy, Daunte, Drew and…

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:22:50 +0000

Rev. Drew, my name is actually Steve, by the way. Mike is a regular, and much appreciated “commenter” (sounds kinda like the “decider”) here.

I don’t think the Ford’s necessarily have to step away, although, it might be of benefit, but they do have to fully entrust the right person(s), with the caveat of that person(s) having the appropriate level of prior success and experience to warrant that consideration, to make the unfettered, correct decisions for the future direction of the franchise.

I think you are right about that “dynamic” being emblematic of the modern professional athlete, but I also believe it is particularly toxic rationale within the Lions organization, since it has come to fruition so often.

Hey I think the Roy E. Williams trade went much better than it could have for Mayhew. Ultimately, I think the eventual signing of Daunte Culpepper to a multi-year deal, and the decision to IR Jon Kitna will crap out on the Lions and Mayhew.

I don’t want the Lions to consider Lewand and Mayhew, even if they are likely strong candidates. Lewand is probably attempting to position himself within the organizational hierarchy as we speak, trying to convince W.C.F. #1 that he and Mayhew can actually fix Millen’s mistakes.

The right decision is to start anew. Completely detonate, and begin fresh…

By: Rev. Drew

Rev. Drew — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:25:43 +0000

Mike–sheesh, thanks for the cheery picture :-)! I think you offer here an intriguing analysis of the “player-coach” dynamic that has developed in Detroit. What a great insight. As I mull it over, I wonder if this dynamic isn’t, in fact, true just about anywhere. I suppose even if it is, perhaps it is at such a critical point in Detroit that a solution other than “coaches and front office personnel” presents itself. I remember Dan Dierdorff making a comment, a very long time ago, on a Monday Night telecast that until the Detroit Lions are under new ownership, they’ll never turn this ship around. Am I hearing that sentiment from you? And, if I may be so bold, what say you about the guys who are now filling Millen’s shoes?

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:51:44 +0000

Rev. Drew–Not only is Millen’s tenure the worst tenure as an executive, at any position in the NFL, it is more than arguable that the team he has built (31-88, counting games without him) is as bad as it gets in the history of pro sports.

You have a point, Marinelli is likely to play the “good soldier” and say that the roster has “talent”. That being said, he had A LOT of input on the last two drafts and free agency. He fired each a defensive and offensive coordinator, and is running out of bullets in his holster, as far the ability to defend his tenure goes.

Plus, Marinelli needs to publicly support the players, he can’t brutally honest. He also has faith in his system, his ability as a coach, and probably believed he could “coach up” any of the numerous laggards on the roster.

Ultimately, as much as I want/ed to believe in Marinelli, he has become a Lions coach, a metamorphosis which necessitates his tenure as near coming to it’s close.

I have long held the belief that Lions players realize that, in most cases, they will outlast the team’s coaches, which diffuses the strength of the coaching staff’s message.

I hate to psychoanalyze, too much, but I believe that most players are inclined towards trashing their coaches, especially as pros.

I really like your question, the real question, though, in my opinion, is: If Millen and Marinelli clearly aren’t the answer, who is, and how will it take, with the Ford’s still in charge, for them to actually regain respectability?

By: Rev. Drew

Rev. Drew — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:57:11 +0000

Mike–no, I have not been sniffing glue. And I think I am in my right mind. I live in New Orleans now, so have not seen a Lions game since…last Thanksgiving. I have a question that I would like your take on. Is it at all possible that Millen’s “build this team from the outside in” tenure is truly one of the worst tenures in NFL history for a GM, and not even Houdini could win with the current roster? When Marinelli took over, and was asked if he thought he had the talent to win, he said yes. He, I am sure, believed he had to say that–it’s his make-up. But I wonder how much he really believed it. I, for one, certainly didn’t. I don’t think many did. And I find it incredulous that he really did. In an era where the NFL bends over backwards to create parity, and your team consistently wins only 2-5 games a year, or 7 in a good year, not matter the coach–doesn’t that suggest the problem lies more in the box than on the side-line? My question: is there any possible way all this can be laid not at Marinelli’s, but at Millen’s feet? With Millen gone, does Marinelli have a better chance of winning? From what I am reading on your blog (and fear myself), the answer is, “No.”