To Mr. Matt Millen,

Last week, I watched in disgust as the Lions squandered away yet another season and their playoff chances away in an absolutely horrible game against Minnesota. This has made five seasons since the words “Lions” and “playoff game” were even a realistic possibility, and fans in the Detroit area are growing tired. Last week’s display of frustration was long overdue, and I share the same sentiment as all of them: To have you resign from your position as General Manager of the Detroit Lions.

You came into Detroit in 2001, and decided to overhaul the entire team. You promised us a strong playoff contender and a Super Bowl team within five years. I understand that predicting those things can be sketchy at best, but I expected more. Remember, with coaches like Bobby Ross, the Lions were consistently around .500 every year, and battling for a playoff spot. Hell, even Wayne Fontes took the team to a few playoff appearances, and he was allegedly under the influence of some sort of chemical substance during most of that time.

Since you took over as General Manager, the Lions have been 20-56, the worst team in the NFL during that time span. I mean, the Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals have better records during that time period. If that is not embarrassing, I don’t know what is. Cincinnati is contending to win their division and perhaps a decent shot at the Super Bowl this year. You would think that Cincinnati’s situation would give the fans some sort of hope, but Lions fans everywhere have lost all hope in their team for the foreseeable future.

I have never considered myself a true Lions fan, I must admit. I am a fan of the game of football, and enjoy the NFL immensely. I consider myself an “observer” of the Lions, so my loyalties to the Lions are minimal. Quite frankly, the Lions haven’t given me (or most people) a reason to be a true fan over the years. But, with the way the sluggish economy and job losses mount in this city, the city needs a winning football team more now than ever. I want to see the Lions win, just like anybody else, but we don’t see that happen year after year. Mr. Millen, watching the Lions is like trying to help a drug addicted sibling. You give and you pour your heart and emotion out, but get nothing in return. You want to help, but you know it is a terminally hopeless situation.

Mr. Millen, you fired a coach five games too early, and placed the current coach in a no-win situation. You have a quarterback in Joey Harrington, that never gained the confidence and swagger that he should have as a quarterback in the NFL, because there was no true support system in place. You have supposedly talented receivers that sound like whiny primadonnas, because of the lack of control in the organization. With your mistakes, and losing seasons, it is time for you to go.

This franchise has had one playoff win since Dwight Eisenhower was president, and don’t seem to be challenging for one anytime soon. The game against the Vikings was the start of the Detroit crowd reaching a critical mass of anger. You laughed at the “Fire Millen” signs and chants. I’m glad you’re laughing at them, because we are laughing at you. You had to cringe as all the Lions fans stood up and cheered Vikings safety Darren Sharper, when he returned a Jeff Garcia interception for a touchdown, which was brought back because of a penalty. You are considered as a joke in this town, and the fans might have a victory parade down Woodward, when you resign.

On December 18, there is an “angry fan march” taking place before the game against the ex-worst franchise in the NFL, the previously mentioned Cincinnati Bengals. For those that do go to the game (myself included), we will be chanting “Fire Millen”, and other lively anti-Lions chants for the entire game. The fans have had it, and will do anything to see that this current regime is dismantled, and rebuilt to a level the fans (not you) feel is sufficient.

But you don’t pay attention to us critics, because you run home to Pennsylvania after the Lions get their ass kicked, week after week. You don’t listen to the sports radio stations, and the NFL analysts laughing at Detroit. It’s embarrassing for the players and for the fans, while you block it out 450 miles away.

Do us all a favor and stay in Pennsylvania permenantly after this season…..

Sincerely,

Art Michalski
Detroit Buzz Magazine

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