Matt Millen on Lions' 2007 season: 'We wasted a tremendous opportunity'

What a complete and clueless jackass! Matt Millen finally decides to speak and this is what he has to say? I am so sick of the Lions and their constant line of BS that rolls out of their organization that I am even starting to get sick of talking and reading about them. It is just a huge waste of time. If this organization feels they can sell this sh*t to it's fans and be serious about it then I need to find a new team to root for.

I'm sorry Matt, the only wasted opportunity was for your team to go 3-13 so they could broom your ass out of town! Worst pro-sports GM ever!



Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Matt Millen on Lions' 2007 season: 'We wasted a tremendous opportunity'
Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News

INDIANAPOLIS -- President Matt Millen believes the Detroit Lions improved in 2007, but the second-half swoon overshadowed their final 7-9 record.

"Of course it did," Millen said Wednesday in an exclusive interview with The Detroit News. "It's a results-oriented business. We wasted a tremendous opportunity."

The Lions were 6-2 in the first half but went 1-7 the rest of the way.

Millen remains firmly committed to head coach Rod Marinelli, who is beginning his third season with the Lions. The Lions were 3-13 in Marinelli's first season.

"Rod -- I love the guy," Millen said. "Rod treats football -- the most important thing for him is the game itself. That's what I appreciate about him."

Millen is attending the NFL Combine. He spoke briefly Wednesday during a break in a competition committee meeting. Millen has not done any extensive interviews since the end of the season.

Marinelli puts a premium on having players with "football character." Acquiring players who fit his mold in the free-agent market and the draft is a priority, Millen said.

"We have more than we've had, but not as many as we need," Millen said. "Some of the guys we have are starting to understand what that means."

Free-agent signing begins Feb. 29. The draft is April 26-27. The Lions have the 15th pick overall, their lowest draft position since 2001.

Millen did not speak about specific needs, but Marinelli has said the Lions will seek to upgrade the defense and running back.

"We need to get the holes filled with the right kind of player," Millen said. "You can look at our team and know what we need. But you have to get them filled with the right kind of player."

Marinelli has made some major changes on the offensive staff since the end of last season. Mike Martz was fired as offensive coordinator and replaced by Jim Colletto, the offensive line coach in 2007. Kippy Brown, the receivers coach the last two years, was promoted to assistant head coach and will be in charge of the passing game.

Colletto will have overall authority and call plays.

"I think we're better than we were a year ago at this time," Millen said. "We have questions that are answered. We don't have questions that are open-ended. Things have been defined. That's the first thing.

"Maybe the bigger thing, I'm just a lot more comfortable with Rod. Rod is a lot more comfortable with his staff. All those things will make us better. We're further down the line."