Launch the Millen Day Mix

The Wings would be at home that evening, and I’d knock off work from my TV production job Downriver around 5:30, 6:00. Then I’d make an off-the-cuff, spontaneous decision.

Why not stop by Joe Louis Arena for some laughs?

I lived in Ypsilanti at the time, so a sojourn up I-75 into downtown wasn’t exactly on my way home from Taylor. But these were the bachelor days, so there wasn’t anyone to hurry home to. And after a grind at work it was nice sometimes to stretch out, relax, and be entertained by some ice follies.

It was the 1985-86 season. Perhaps the most vaudevillian of all Red Wings seasons.

They were the slip-on-a-banana peel team, those ’85-86 Red Wings. Stepping on a rake and getting whacked in the face. The squirting daisy in the lapel. The joy buzzer during a handshake. There were nights when you looked for Soupy Sales behind the bench, about to get a pie in the face.

So I’d park my car, always close the arena, and traipse up to the box office. This was about 30 minutes before game time.

“One, please.” And pretty much wherever I wanted, by the way.

I’d find the seat — always in the lower bowl — and spread out, for there was rarely anyone seated next to me. Or next to next to me. Maybe 12,000 or so other curious folks looking for some yuks were with me.

The three acts shuffled, but the final scene was always the same. Sometimes the Red Wings would engage the Canadiens or the Sabres in a real, almost competitive tussle. Or sometimes they’d really have us rolling in the aisles to the tune of 8-1, or worse.

Eddie Mio was the goalie back then. The Swiss cheese of goalies. I used to have a nickname for him: Eddie Mio-My.

So I’d watch the slapstick play out before me, satisfied that I got my $10 worth because I’d pick nights when the NHL’s brightest stars were in town. And I’d watch while first Harry Neale, then Brad Park, gamely tried to match wits with their counterpart, knowing darned well that it was futile because no x’s and o’s in the world could compensate for the disparity of talent on the ice.

The ’85-86 Red Wings won 17 games. All season. In 80 contests, they surrendered over 400 goals. You heard me. Over five per game. And, since the team’s offense was usually incapable of scoring six goals in two games, let alone one, you pretty much get the idea of their chances at victory.

Sometimes, when the action stopped and the teams changed lines before the next face-off, I’d look around the Joe and ponder.

“Will the Red Wings EVER win a Stanley Cup in my lifetime?”

And, if they did…

“What would happen to this place? Would it come down for all the euphoria?”

It was a difficult thing to imagine, believe me, while you were watching NHL hockey in an atmosphere more suited for a chess match. Or an SAT test.

The Red Wings were into their fourth season of Mike Ilitch ownership, and they were regressing.

Or so I thought.

Silly me. I neglected to remember that the GM in those days was Jimmy Devellano, whose background included several years with the New York Islanders, starting with their inception in 1972-73. Jimmy D. was a scout by trade, and it was his keen eye, and those of others that he hired, that brought the Isles from expansion to a Stanley Cup in seven years. And then another Cup. And another. And one more, before being hired away by the Red Wings in 1982.

Little did I know, as I watched the Red Wings stumble through that season, that Devellano was laying the building blocks for the championship organization that the Red Wings are today.

He hired scouts, for starters. Good scouts. And he instructed some to fly overseas, to places like Sweden and Russia and Finland, to look for players who could, one day, play in the NHL. For the Red Wings, of course.

And he put some scouts on the draft, and put some more on the NHL itself, to hunt for players with other organizations who might be attractive trade targets.

All this was going on as the Red Wings were losing, and losing big, in 1985-86.

Now we don’t ask if the Red Wings will win a Stanley Cup in our lifetime, but how many more they’ll win.

The point of all this is to say that the Lions today, I’m sure, are in that same category, in people’s minds, as those ’85-86 Red Wings were in mine.

“Will they ever win a Super Bowl in my lifetime?”

Why, yes. The Red Wings hadn’t won a championship since the 1950s, either. And they did it.

Hire some scouts, for starters.

The sad state of the Lions is really rooted in just one thing, folks. They don’t have enough good players. Haven’t had them in quite some time, in fact. Sorry to state the obvious, but sometimes that gets lost in the shuffle.

I was taking inventory of the Lions roster the other day, and it occurred to me that of the 22 starters on the offensive and defensive platoons, not more than five or six, tops, would be of any interest to another NFL team, should trades be discussed.

Roy Williams. Calvin Johnson. Ernie Sims. Paris Lenon. Maybe Jeff Backus and/or Dominic Raiola. A few others might be attractive as depth or as backups. And that’s about it.

Five or six out of 22?

When 70-75% of your starters are considered trash by all the rest, then you have a serious talent issue.

That’s why I hope the Lions, when they do their internal self-evaluation, place a high priority on hiring someone with expertise in finding young football talent. Forget the high-profile name for the sake of the high-profile name. I made the reference to Jack McCloskey already, and I’ll add Jimmy Devellano today. All I knew of Devellano was he was this short, stocky guy with the squeaky Canadian voice who had been some sort of cog with the Islanders. Turns out, that was good enough.

Don’t be surprised, or better yet, disappointed, if the Lions’ new football man is someone you’ve barely heard of — or at the very least, someone you wouldn’t have heard of it wasn’t for the speculation in the papers. Don’t look at the name, look at the pedigree.

If he comes from the Colts, or the Patriots, or the Packers, or the Cowboys, you should be happy. From anywhere else, you should be wary.

The unknown shouldn’t always be feared.

Former Lions coach Steve Mariucci talks about Millen and tells it like it is.

Former Tennessee Titans GM, former Lions assistant coach, and current NFL analyst on ESPN, Floyd Reese talks about what’s next for Millen

Former Lion and WDFN football host Larry Lee talks about Matt Millen’s firing

WDFN’s Stoney gives his input and gets listener reactions

Don Banks of SI.com, Part 1

Don Banks of SI.com, Part 2

More Info

“This is a special moment for us as we say good-bye to a legacy, to a reign of a general manager that brought us frustrations, brought us tears, brought us everything but a trophy,” DJ Spike, from the “Mojo in the Morning” program on WKQI-FM (95.5), said as the funeral lined up at 8 a.m. at Eastern Market.

An $85,000 Harley-Davidson hearse led the procession south on Gratiot Avenue to Ford Field. Inside the gleaming Honolulu blue-and-silver casket was a photograph of Millen’s face on a white, padded, silk pillow. More

Andy from Trenton led us all in the mantra, "Fire Millen."

Pics from the Millen Man March:

Donate your Lions crap!

FtheLions.com is collecting any unwanted Lions merchandise you might have and donating it to charity. Here’s a couple of drop off locations in case you’re too lazy to locate a collection site near you. We’re protesting the Lions suckage by giving away our stuff and we encourage you to do so too!

Forget The Lions
77 Monroe Center Suite 1000
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

In Detroit
27675 Halsted Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48331

Speaking of, maybe it’s time for a little Joey Harrington news… according to the ESPN news reel:

Sep 24

News: The Saints have released Harrington, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. Spin: Harrington, once a highly-touted draft pick, has turned into a journeyman. He’ll end up playing for somebody, but he’d need some serious breaks to get another chance at starting.

Alltel: [10-digit phone number]@message.alltel.com
AT&T: [10-digit phone number]@mmode.com
Boost Mobile: [10-digit phone number]@myboostmobile.com
Cingular: [10-digit number]@cingularme.com
Metrocall: [10-digit pager number]@page.metrocall.com
Nextel: [10-digit telephone number]@messaging.nextel.com
Sprint PCS: [10-digit phone number]@messaging.sprintpcs.com
T-Mobile: [10-digit phone number]@tmomail.net
Verizon: [10-digit phone number]@vtext.com
Virgin Mobile: [10-digit phone number]@vmobl.com

Enjoy, Cornbread Eaters!

Millen Aftermath with Regner & Pascoe

Executive vice president Tom Lewand and general manager Martin Mayhew say they want to focus the franchise on winning its next game against Chicago.

Do you think they can do it? 90% of respondents voted that the Lions will lose, but you can still influence the poll…

Yummy Cornbread

Paula Deen’s Corny Cornbread

Ingredients:

• 1/2  cup  vegetable oil, plus 1/4 cup for greasing pan
• 1  cup  self-rising cornmeal
• 3/4  cup  self-rising flour
• 1  cup  cream-style corn, see Paula’s Note*
• 2 eggs
• 1  cup  sour cream
• 1  cup  grated sharp cheddar, optional
• 1/2  teaspoon  cayenne pepper, optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Generously season a cast iron skillet with up to 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Preheat the pan either in the oven or on the stove over medium-high heat.

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl, stirring with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until combined. Pour batter into the preheated cast iron skillet. Place skillet in the oven and bake until golden brown, approximately 30 minutes. If making individual size cornbreads in smaller pans, they will require a shorter cooking time.

* Paula’s Note: Frozen creamed corn is sold in the frozen vegetables section of most grocery stores. It is much better than using canned corn.

Yield: 8 servings
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Ease of preparation: easy

Somebody Move to Lovely Detroit and Save the Lions!

WE’VE HAD A CHANCE TO DIGEST THE RELEASE OF MATT MILLEN. THE LIONS PRESIDENT ENDS HIS TUMULTUOUS 7-PLUS TENURE HERE AT 31-84 WITH NOTHING TO BOAST ABOUT. THERE IS NOT ONE THING HE DID WELL WHILE HERE….EXCEPT TRY. IT’S BLATANTLY OBVIOUS HE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT HE WAS DOING AND HE QUICKLY ALIENTED A LOT OF PEOPLE…..BUT HE DID WORK TIRELESSLY AT TRYING TO IMPROVE THIS FOOTBALL FRANCHISE. HE WAS JUST SO OUT-MATCHED AND IN OVER HIS HEAD THAT HE FAILED LIKE NO OTHER PROFESSIONAL SPORTS EXECUTIVE. BUT I SAY THIS NOW WITH THE GREATEST OF CONFIDENCE: REPLACING MATT MILLEN AS GENERAL MANAGER OF THIS FOOTBALL TEAM SHOULD BE EASY. THAT’S RIGHT, EASY. THIS IS THE MOST DESIREABLE AVAILABLE POSITION IN SPORTS….MORE THAN ANY COACHING VACANCY OR ANY OTHER FRONT OFFICE POSITION. IT SHOULDN’T TAKE LONG TO LURE A DESIREABLE CANDIDATE HERE. WHY? WELL, THERE ARE A TON OF REASONS. FIRST….IT MATTERS. THIS TEAM CARRIES AS MUCH INTEREST IN ITS TOWN AS ANY OTHER IN ANY SPORT. WHERE ELSE COULD YOU TALK ABOUT A TEAM FOR 4-HOURS STRAIGHT, BASICALLY ON THE SAME TOPIC. THE ORGANIZATION IS FIRST CLASS ALL THE WAY. IT OWNS GORGEOUS FACILITIES AND SPARES NO EXPENSE. ITS OWNERSHIP GETS OUT OF THE WAY AND LETS PEOPLE DO THEIR JOB. EVERY G.M. WANTS TO PUT HIS STAMP ON HIS PRODUCT. HE ASKS FOR THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND THE BREATHING ROOM TO DO THAT AND THE LIONS HAVE PROVEN THAT’S THE CASE UNDER MILLEN AND, FOR THE MOST PART, UNDER CHUCK SCHMIDT TOO. STABILITY. THIS FRANCHISE ISN’T GOING ANYWHERE AND WILLIAM CLAY FORD SR. HAS PROVEN HE’S WILLING TO LET HIS GMS FAIL. WE MAY NOT LIKE IT….BUT CANDIDATES KNOW THEY HAVE A LONG A LEASH AND WHEN YOU MOVE A FAMILY HERE AND TRY AND PLANT ROOTS THAT GOES A LONG WAY. AND FINALLY….YOU CAN’T DO MUCH WORSE THAN 31-84. JUST REACHING AN INTERMEDIATE GOAL OF PLAYING ABOVE FIVE HUNDRED BALL OR REACHING THE PLAYOFFS WOULD SEND THIS TOWN INTO A TIZZY. GOING DEEPER AND THE GM/COACH WOULD OWN THIS TOWN. WINNING IT ALL WOULD GIVE THEM HALL OF FAME AND GOVERNOR-CANDIDATE LIKE STATUS. YOU’D BE VIEWED AS A SAVIOR AT THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL. IF YOU FALL SHORT OF THE GOALS….YOU’D BE JUST ANOTHER IN THE LONG LINE OF PAST LION FAILURES.

We’re pickin up what you’re putting down, man.

Matt Shepard’s RSS Feed

… the job isn’t finished yet. I implore William Clay Ford Sr. to take a long, hard look at him self in the mirror and ask the tough question: Am I the person that can take this team to the Super Bowl? Many fans, and rightly so, would say no. And history is on our side Mr. Ford. Since you have purchased the team, no Super Bowl appearances and one playoff win in 10 playoff games.

The change needs to continue but it has to start at the top. You can remain the owner of the team for as long as you wish but you must relinquish all decision making power to your son, Bill Jr. He’s a big boy now, he can do you proud if you let him.

We at Fire Millen will still be around Mr. Ford, Sr. We’re going to move on, as should you, and change our name. We aren’t sure what it’s going to be yet. But you know, in your heart, what your next step is.

Have the guts and foresight to take it.

So… we salute you, FireMillen.com. Perhaps you’re the ones who already have FireMarinelli.com parked. We noticed that FireLionsManagement.com is available though.

Related… If we can’t put “Fire Millen” on signs anymore, then what do we put?

We hear his angst and it makes our hearts want to break… sort of.

From WDFN.com:

An official with the Detroit Lions has confirmed that president Matt Millen has been fired as team president today.

While
nothing is official yet, a source close to the situation said chief
operating officer Tom Lewand and assistant general manager Martin
Mayhew will split Millen’s duties for the rest of the season. A
permanent replacement for Millen is not expected to be named until
after the end of the 2009 season.

At this point, the Lions have not announced whether a press conference will take place announcing the firing.

Listen to former Lion Richard Jordan talk about the end of Millen’s reign

Listen to Lions Insider Tom “The Killer” Kowalski’s comments on the firing

Did Daddy and Son make a deal since we last posted? What do you think?

“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.”

The Lions are 0-3. Their latest loss was a 31-13 defeat at San Francisco.

Hear the proof here: Ford Jr. says he would fire Matt Millen

The problem? Jr’s dad, Bill Ford Senior, won’t pull the trigger and make a change.