In a move that took place about six years too late, Matt Millen has been fired. You’ve got to give him and his agent credit though because whoever handled that initial contract negotiation sure provided a great deal of security no matter what transpired on the field. His final record was 31-84, or reverse, what he used to enjoy while playing for the great 49er teams of the ’80s. The reason I say “final” before record is I highly doubt he will ever land a job again in the NFL. He’s forever banished to the same fate as Rich Kotite.

After the loss to the Packers in week 2, TV showed Detroit fans throwing their jerseys onto the field in disgust; the economy isn’t so pretty right now in America, and much worse in Detroit, so if they’re throwing those brand new $100+ Calvin Johson jerseys to the field, upper management knew the time had come to either drop Millen or risk seeing stadium attendance plummet like GM stock.

I don’t think he ever had a plan during his tenure. Drafting 4 wide receivers in the 1st round (Charles Rodgers ’02, Roy Williams ’04, Mike Williams ’05 and Calvin Johnson ’07) just isn’t sound strategy when you’re building a team. Had Usain Bolt made himself available in the supplemental draft, I’m sure Millen would’ve been happy to give up a future 1st round pick in exchange for his rights now.

Johnson and Roy Williams have more than panned out; too bad he forgot to develop the QB position, offensive line, defensive line, LB’ers and secondary. Those positions are important, right?

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