Comments on: The Sordid Draft History of Matt Millen, or How to Build a Laughingstock in Today’s NFL http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/ The season's over. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:07:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: William http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/comment-page-1/#comment-10756 William Sat, 15 Mar 2008 03:20:25 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/#comment-10756 Matt, I've got some time and would love to help you out, call me. Matt, I’ve got some time and would love to help you out, call me.

]]> By: William http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/comment-page-1/#comment-10755 William Sat, 15 Mar 2008 03:18:49 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/#comment-10755 Mr. Millen can't be blamed for the 50 years of frustration. Actually, it has been kind of nice getting such high draft picks every year. Although, I do remember draft day in '98? when the Lions drafted Terry Fair when I was yelling Orlin Kreutz. I don't know where Terry is, but Orlin is playing for the Bears and is doing well. Another thing is that you can draft talent, but if your system is broke players won't develop. I wonder who let Bill Belichek go when he was with the Lions, was that Monte Clark? Mr. Millen can’t be blamed for the 50 years of frustration. Actually, it has been kind of nice getting such high draft picks every year. Although, I do remember draft day in ’98? when the Lions drafted Terry Fair when I was yelling Orlin Kreutz. I don’t know where Terry is, but Orlin is playing for the Bears and is doing well. Another thing is that you can draft talent, but if your system is broke players won’t develop. I wonder who let Bill Belichek go when he was with the Lions, was that Monte Clark?

]]> By: kitty http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/comment-page-1/#comment-10696 kitty Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:10:02 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/#comment-10696 funny, 3 of those 2nd round picks are former lions now wit edwards, bailey, and lehman gone. funny, 3 of those 2nd round picks are former lions now wit edwards, bailey, and lehman gone.

]]> By: bret http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/comment-page-1/#comment-10693 bret Thu, 13 Mar 2008 23:27:14 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/#comment-10693 greg h, i dont know if you watched many michigan state games but charles rogers did a fair amount of things on the field. im quite sure he won the belitnikov (i dont know how to spell that) award while at state, and harrington was the man at oregon. im quite sure the ducks were usually top ranked thanks to him and won a couple bowls, and he was a finalist for the heisman too. so to say they didnt do anythin on the field is kinda wrong. and in no way am i really saying that i like millen.....drafting a wideout with your 1st pick 3 years in a row is retarded. he just ends up with busts that could have been good. greg h,

i dont know if you watched many michigan state games but charles rogers did a fair amount of things on the field. im quite sure he won the belitnikov (i dont know how to spell that) award while at state, and harrington was the man at oregon. im quite sure the ducks were usually top ranked thanks to him and won a couple bowls, and he was a finalist for the heisman too. so to say they didnt do anythin on the field is kinda wrong.

and in no way am i really saying that i like millen…..drafting a wideout with your 1st pick 3 years in a row is retarded. he just ends up with busts that could have been good.

]]> By: Tom http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/comment-page-1/#comment-10677 Tom Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:00:05 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/#comment-10677 "Swollen vagina." That's fantastic. Out of all of these years, I think 2005 was the most disappointing. Mike Williams . . . nothing more need be said, except that Millen chose a guy who (1) was out of football for over a full calendar year at the time of the draft; (b) already had a history of weight problems; and (4) played the same position as Charles "I played at a Michigan-based school, so I'll draw the fans in" Rogers, and Roy "I've actually got nothing bad to say about Roy" Williams. To follow that disastrous pick (I said at the time, we should have drafted Derrick Johnson) with Shaun "swollen vagina" Cody, Stanley "Hey, my dad played football" Wilson, Dan "let's see what he can do" Orlovsky, Bill "Who am I?" Swancutt, and Johnathan "Again, who am I?" Goddard, just wow. “Swollen vagina.” That’s fantastic.

Out of all of these years, I think 2005 was the most disappointing. Mike Williams . . . nothing more need be said, except that Millen chose a guy who (1) was out of football for over a full calendar year at the time of the draft; (b) already had a history of weight problems; and (4) played the same position as Charles “I played at a Michigan-based school, so I’ll draw the fans in” Rogers, and Roy “I’ve actually got nothing bad to say about Roy” Williams. To follow that disastrous pick (I said at the time, we should have drafted Derrick Johnson) with Shaun “swollen vagina” Cody, Stanley “Hey, my dad played football” Wilson, Dan “let’s see what he can do” Orlovsky, Bill “Who am I?” Swancutt, and Johnathan “Again, who am I?” Goddard, just wow.

]]> By: kitty http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/comment-page-1/#comment-10119 kitty Sat, 01 Mar 2008 04:23:21 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/#comment-10119 loved the article. I actually think Millen's futility in the second round is the biggest disappointment on the list. Second round picks are supposed to be starters, guys who can become crucial parts to the team. Many come in with the same high college marks as the 1st round picks, but without the burdensome contracts and signing bonuses. Competent GMs turn second round picks into starters and possible pro-bowlers, not guys who are on IR, deactivated, or never playing simply because of the lack of any quality player to push them for a starting job. Millen pretty much drafted a complete defense in the second round thus far Your starting D line DT- Shaun Rogers (great talent, but now gone) DT- Shaun Cody (can't get on the field) DE- Kalimba Edwards (what's worse, drafting him or re-signing him?) DE- Ikieka Alama-Francis (12 total tackles, deactivated most of the season) Your linebackers LB- Boss Bailey (1st round talent dropped because of injury concerns...for a good reason) LB- Teddy Lehman ( can't stay healthy, can't beat out undrafted free agents) Your safties Daniel Bullocks (injured reserve) Gerald Alexander (gets praise for his play, but watch some of Adrian Peterson's runs to see how bad this guys angles were most of the year) This leads me to believe that Millen will draft two cornerbacks in the second round this year to form an all second round bust defense. Oh, almost forgot he traded up to get Drew Stanton at QB. He (injured reserve) and Dominic Raiola (terribly overpaid) are the only offensive players he's taken in round two because of the overemphasis of offensive selections in round one. Almost forgot that not only is his second round record horrible, he's also wasted numerous picks to trade up to some of those spots. loved the article. I actually think Millen’s futility in the second round is the biggest disappointment on the list. Second round picks are supposed to be starters, guys who can become crucial parts to the team. Many come in with the same high college marks as the 1st round picks, but without the burdensome contracts and signing bonuses. Competent GMs turn second round picks into starters and possible pro-bowlers, not guys who are on IR, deactivated, or never playing simply because of the lack of any quality player to push them for a starting job.

Millen pretty much drafted a complete defense in the second round thus far

Your starting D line

DT- Shaun Rogers (great talent, but now gone)
DT- Shaun Cody (can’t get on the field)
DE- Kalimba Edwards (what’s worse, drafting him or re-signing him?)
DE- Ikieka Alama-Francis (12 total tackles, deactivated most of the season)

Your linebackers

LB- Boss Bailey (1st round talent dropped because of injury concerns…for a good reason)
LB- Teddy Lehman ( can’t stay healthy, can’t beat out undrafted free agents)

Your safties

Daniel Bullocks (injured reserve)

Gerald Alexander (gets praise for his play, but watch some of Adrian Peterson’s runs to see how bad this guys angles were most of the year)

This leads me to believe that Millen will draft two cornerbacks in the second round this year to form an all second round bust defense.

Oh, almost forgot he traded up to get Drew Stanton at QB. He (injured reserve) and Dominic Raiola (terribly overpaid) are the only offensive players he’s taken in round two because of the overemphasis of offensive selections in round one.

Almost forgot that not only is his second round record horrible, he’s also wasted numerous picks to trade up to some of those spots.

]]> By: Eddie http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/comment-page-1/#comment-9689 Eddie Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:14:29 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/#comment-9689 you had asked for the name of one successful Michigan State quarterback... that would be Earl Morrall. If the Lions had kept him instead of Milt Plum...well...we might never had to wait this long. you had asked for the name of one successful Michigan State quarterback…
that would be Earl Morrall.
If the Lions had kept him instead of Milt Plum…well…we might never had to wait this long.

]]> By: Andrew Thell http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/comment-page-1/#comment-7829 Andrew Thell Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:28:08 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/#comment-7829 Yep, pretty much the same situation, Jeremy. It's a frustration I've known all too well in my years as a Wolves fan. Yep, pretty much the same situation, Jeremy. It’s a frustration I’ve known all too well in my years as a Wolves fan.

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/comment-page-1/#comment-7826 Jeremy Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:21:38 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/#comment-7826 You've got that right, Andrew. Kind of makes one think of the Taylor/McHale situation in Minny, doesn't it? You’ve got that right, Andrew. Kind of makes one think of the Taylor/McHale situation in Minny, doesn’t it?

]]> By: Andrew Thell http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/comment-page-1/#comment-7469 Andrew Thell Fri, 04 Jan 2008 04:18:20 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2007/12/31/the-sordid-draft-history-of-matt-millen-or-how-to-build-a-laughingstock-in-todays-nfl/#comment-7469 There's plenty of blame to go around here, so let's also lay some at the feet of William Clay Ford. He's the guy who hired Matt Millen, refuses to hold him accountable for his shockingly poor performance and has made Big Matt the the second-highest paid GM in the NFL. There’s plenty of blame to go around here, so let’s also lay some at the feet of William Clay Ford. He’s the guy who hired Matt Millen, refuses to hold him accountable for his shockingly poor performance and has made Big Matt the the second-highest paid GM in the NFL.

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