Rarely has an NFL organization been led by such a virtuous man, but 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 the previous six years alongside Millen in the Lions’ front office.
Yes, but 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 this week.
“Well deserved,” said Broncos cornerback Dré Bly, who played four seasons for the Millen-built Lions before he was traded to the Broncos prior to last season, about Millen’s dismissal. “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, right 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. They most likely would have taken receiver Calvin Johnson with that No. 2 overall pick, although the Broncos were also discussing left tackle Joe Thomas.
But both sides wanted to sleep on it. 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 then-healthy and productive 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 non-playoff 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.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
