Rarely has an NFL organization been led by such a virtuous manbut an overmatched executive — as the Detroit Lions were by Matt Millen.
People who knew Millen well understood why Lions owner William Clay Ford continuously forgave nearly eight years of incompetency.
“We’re talking about an unbelievably good person,” said Dave Glazier, a former Rockies executive who worked for six years alongside Millen in the Lions’ front office.
Yes, about 28 percent of the time, I can be a good guy, too. That doesn’t mean I should be heading an NFL football organization. It took Ford’s son, William Clay Jr., to say: “Dad, wake up,” before Millen was dismissed as team president last week.
“Well-deserved,” said Broncos cornerback Dre Bly, who played four seasons for the Millen-built Lions before he was traded to the Broncos prior to last season. “Not to be critical of him, but to be heading that organization as long as he’s been there, replacing four head coaches, and all the players who got released and traded — he was the guy that built that team.
“Matt’s not a bad guy, but I think it’s good for the city to change things around because the fans really wanted Matt to be fired. And now that he’s been relieved, they can get a completely new start and move on.”
The Broncos-Lions trade involving Bly would have grown into a blockbuster had Millen not changed his mind overnight. After exchanging ideas for weeks, here was the initial, agreed-upon trade proposal: The Broncos would have sent middle linebacker Al Wilson, offensive tackle George Foster, running back Tatum Bell, their No. 21 overall first-round pick and a third-round pick in exchange for Bly, who would replace Darrent Williams at right cornerback, the Lions’ No. 2 overall first-round draft pick and the Lions’ second-round pick.
Millen said yes. The Broncos said yes. Denver most likely would have taken receiver Calvin Johnson with that No. 2 pick, although the Broncos were also discussing offensive tackle Joe Thomas.
But both sides wanted to sleep on the deal. The next morning, Millen said no, in large part because he didn’t like what he saw from Wilson on film.
This was one time when Millen’s instincts did not betray him. Turns out, the Lions were watching Wilson play with a neck injury that essentially ended his career. The deal was pared down. The Lions got Foster, Bell and a fifth-round pick in exchange for Bly and a sixth-round pick.
It’s true what they say about how the best deals are often the ones not made. Had the Broncos wound up with Johnson, who was going to team with a healthy and productive Javon Walker, Brandon Marshall might not have developed into “The Beast” he’s become.
It worked out well for the Broncos. Here’s hoping from this point forward things work out for Millen.
“I will say this for Matt: He was an easy guy to work with,” former Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist said. “He really is a good man.”
NBC is watching Broncos.
So much for sneaking up on people. After two consecutive nonplayoff seasons, the Broncos drew just three prime-time games this season, all on the road (Oakland in the opener, New England on Oct. 20, Cleveland on Nov. 6).
But better believe the entertainment value of a 3-0 team leading the NFL in scoring has drawn the attention of Dick Ebersol, who as chairman of NBC Sports oversees the NFL flex prime-time schedule that begins Week 11.
“I will say watching Mike’s offense so beautifully executed by Mr. Cutler has been a revelation up until this point,” Ebersol said, referring to Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and quarterback Jay Cutler. “So out of the corner of my eye, I will continue to watch them.”
About the only Broncos home game that might get a later start time is their Game 15 matchup, Dec. 21 against Buffalo. The forecast for a Denver-Buffalo game that late in the season: chance of snow.
NBC might be more interested, though, in one of three Broncos road games: Nov. 30 at the New York Jets; Dec. 14 at Carolina; or Dec. 28 at San Diego, the regular-season finale.
This assumes, of course, the Broncos look as sexy in late November as they do in late September.
At issue
Raiders’ Kiffin off hot seat . . . for now
Background: After Lane Kiffin indicated he had nothing to do with the defense that got shellacked for 41 points by Denver in the season opener, the San Jose Mercury News was the first to report that the Raiders coach would be fired the Monday after Game 2 against Kansas City. Other Bay Area newspapers made the same claim. Then ESPN reported Kiffin would be fired after the Raiders’ third game at Buffalo. Each of the past two weeks, the NFL Network broke in with reports that Kiffin would not be fired, at least for now.
Klis’ take: Only in Raider Nation can there be headlines for a story about nothing happening. I’m not about to throw stones at reporters for this. I’m on their side. My guess is owner Al Davis was their source on the firings, and Davis was the source of the nonfirings. Hey, if Al is the source, you run with it. Problem is, Davis may be using the reporters to try to break Kiffin into resigning. Only scheming Al, and Kiffin’s stubborn refusal, can explain this bizarre weekly saga.
On the hot seat
Schaub investment a little shaky
Who. Matt Schaub, QB, Texans
When. 11 a.m. today, at Jacksonville
Why. In two blowout defeats, Schaub has thrown five interceptions with just one touchdown pass. It appears the Texans, like everybody else, overrated Schaub while he was backing up Michael Vick in Atlanta. The Texans were 4-6 with Schaub as their starting QB last year, 4-2 with veteran Sage Rosenfels as their starter. Houston invested far too much in Schaub — two second-round picks; two spots in the first round of the 2007 draft; and a six-year, $48 million contract — to give up on him easily. But another loss and mediocre QB performance today would give coach Gary Kubiak little choice but to bench Schaub in favor of Rosenfels.
Rise and fall
Firing Millen a victory for Lions
ON THE RISE
1. Detroit Lions. Sure they’re 0-3. But they made a huge step forward last week by finally dumping Matt Millen.
2. Miami Dolphins. Injury to Tom Brady had nothing to do with the Dolphins’ 461 yards of total offense against the Pats.
3. Baltimore Ravens. Return to Ravens football: defense allowing 10 points and league-best 161.5 yards a game.
LOSING MOMENTUM
1. New York Jets. Never mind Brett Favre. The defensive front got blown off the ball by the Chargers.
2. Cincinnati Bengals. Have a league-low one sack against 93 pass attempts. And they’re 28th against the run.
3. Houston Texans. Giving up 35.0 points, margin of defeat is 20 and now another road game.
Rookie watch
Forte playing like real Bear
Who. Matt Forte, RB, Bears
When. 6:15 p.m. tonight vs. the Eagles at Chicago’s Soldier Field
Why. So far, Forte is the biggest threat to the Broncos’ Eddie Royal for NFL rookie of the year. Darren McFadden and Jonathan Stewart were the rookie running backs selected within the first 13 picks of the NFL draft, and three others were taken in the first round: Felix Jones, Rashard Mendenhall and Chris Johnson. But Forte, who was the first back taken in the second round, is outrunning them all. He leads all rookies with 304 yards rushing in three games and trails only receivers Royal and DeSean Jackson in rookie receptions.
