There is so much talk these days about “Fire Millen” and how Matt Millen is such an idiot. While these things are true, as Millen is yet to select a player in the draft of any real impact, or sign a value free agent; Millen is not the problem. Also, a lot of attention is paid to the coaches who all found their careers going into a black hole known as Detroit. But, we could have Tom Landry as our coach and still not make the playoffs. The reason why? William Clay Ford, Sr. owner of the Detroit Lions.
William Clay bought the Lions in 1964. The Lions were an extremely successful franchise in the ‘50s winning championships in ’52, ‘53, and ’57 (Bobby Lane = amazing). Since taking ownership of the Lions, they have never been the super bowl, rarely in the playoffs (only because Barry Sanders is so good he overcomes how retarded William Clay is).
You would think that with a name like Ford (a family company), William Clay would have some part of the company. But he failed miserably at that. His division of the company was short lived and merged with Lincoln. He helped design 2 cars, but most of that is giving him too much credit. Basically the Fords bought the Lions so William Clay would have something to do, and so he wouldn’t touch and screw up the Ford Motor Company. Obviously, no one will ever say this out loud, but it is an understood fact that many in the media have expressed.
So why is William Clay the worst owner of all time? Basically, it comes down to two fundamental things that any owner of a real company would be immediately fired for. (1) He doesn’t care about the success of the team from a NFL standpoint and (2) He hires people he likes, and doesn’t hold them accountable.
Starting with number 1. So, you know how anytime you watch an important game there is always that scene of the owner looking on concerned? You never see that. In fact, I doubt any of you reading this right now even knows what William Clay looks like! I know what Mike Illitch looks like, I know what Robert Kraft looks like, I certainly know what Mark Cuban looks like; but not Ford.
Fine? Don’t buy that? Have you ever heard a media report of William Clay speaking out about the Lions? Have you ever heard of a reporter doing an exclusive interview with William Clay Ford? No, because he never talks to the media. And why should he? All they are going to do is ask tough questions that he doesn’t want to answer. He would rather sit secretly in his luxury suit (if he even goes to games anymore), collect his check and not have to do anything to run the Lions. What difference does it make to him if the Lions go 0-16? He is still making money on the team because he knows fans will still pack Ford Field.
He doesn’t care about the team because he doesn’t spend money of the team. The salary cap in 2007 was 109 million dollars. The Lions spent 81 million. I understand that it is highly possible that no free agents wanted to come to Detroit, but everybody has their price. With 28 million dollars to throw around, I’m guessing you might be able to entice someone to come here. Its also true that spending a lot of money doesn’t always translate into success (the Panthers spent the most money this year, Patriots #2). But the bottom 6 in terms of payroll last year were Bill, Jets, Chiefs, Lions, Dolphins, Raiders; and none of them got even close to the playoffs.
Of course there are differing schools of thought on the subject of paying for players through free agency. The Patriots spent a ton this year with Moss, Welker, Stallworth, and Adalius Thomas; while the Colts do not have a single player starting for their team that was not drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. Both of those teams did pretty well. The fact is the Lions are so bad, that they need to rebuild through both. Go out and pay for a star (Asante Samuel) and fill holes in the draft by finding diamonds in the rough in late rounds. The Lions have no late round impact players that they drafted, and most of their high round draft picks have been absolutely abysmal. Of course this is Matt Millen’s fault mainly, but it all points back to the guy who hired Millen: William Clay Ford.
Which brings me to my next point. William Clay hires people he likes, not people who are good for the Team. Upper management of the Lions is a fiasco. I can’t even imagine what Christmas parties are like there. Case and point: Matt Millen. How does he still have a job? WHY DID HE GET THE JOB IN THE FIRST PLACE??? He was a TV announcer with NO prior experience. From all reports though William Clay and Matt are best buds. They have dinners together, they discuss team moves together, and they hold hands and skip after ever Lions loss. How can you run a company where everyone hates the guy making all the decisions? How can you run an organization where the guy making all the decisions makes the wrong decisions 95% of the time. How can you have a member of the coaching staff who publicly makes an ass of himself by driving to Wendy’s drunk and naked still on staff? The Lions are a joke and I am sure every GM and owner in the league knows it.
Remember these quotes by Joe Theismann?
“Matt Millen hasn't helped former players get into management because he's done a lousy job."
"Could I or anybody do a better job (with the Lions)? I don't know. But it would be a wonderful challenge."
You probably could do a better job than him Joe. Heck, I probably could (I mean my Madden Franchise has won the Super Bowl 5 years in a row). The fact is we will never find out because Millen won 7 games this year. He will keep his job. He will keep it because William Clay is too lazy to actually fire the guy and find a replacement. Plus, firing him would cause a real strain on their relationship; causing Matt might throw his half of the “BFF” necklace at William Clay and run away crying, go write on his Xanga about how mean William Clay is and turn all their mutual girlfriends against William Clay.
Alas, William Clay will never sell the Lions, and he will probably live forever. But the problems of the Lions will never change until he is gone.
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