Just how bad is Matt Millen?

While reading an interview with Detroit Lions Hall of Famer Lem Barney earlier, it was difficult not to have a spot of sympathy for the beleaguered Matt Millen, General Manager of the franchise.

I think he has the capability to be a good general manager. He's just had some ups and downs. ... You can't just blame Matt. Players have to want to win, too. You have to be hungry enough. Look at what Boston did -- (the Celtics) were hungry. One guy can't do it by himself. That's why it's called a TEAM. Together ... everyone ... accomplishes more.
- Lem Barmey

Which illicited this response from a Lions fan who commented on the site:

When a player as classy and intelligent as Lem Barney speaks, sometimes you have to listen to what he didn't say as opposed to what he did say.
He didn't say "Matt Millen is a great GM" or even "Matt Millen is a competent GM."
That is really all we need to know about his opinion of Millen.

FIRE MILLEN. HIRE DUNGY.
- outlawsrock

Obviously, getting away from the aforementioned user's clear intelligence issues, it's a widespread view amongst Detroit fans that Millen in fact is to blame for their woes, and has been ever since he took over in 2001. Even the most obviously culpable defendants still have the right to a fair trial (Like I say, we're based in Britain), so in the interest of impartiality, here are the findings of our arduous (and trust me, there is no horror like a Lions draft study) investigation into Matt Millen's (mis)management of the Detroit Lions:

He's really really bad at evaluating talent.

The numbers are staggering, frankly.

First up, the team has only four of it's eight first round picks still on the roster. Calvin Johnson, Roy Williams, Ernie Sims, and Jeff Backus. Charles Rogers and Kevin Jones are both out of work, while Joey Harrington and Mike Williams will likely never start in the NFL again. That's a 50% attrition rate, something which makes you wonder if Millen makes picks with the flip of a coin...

Only two starters (Cory Redding and Roy Williams) are still with the team from four drafts (2002-05). That's an astonishing number. Consider also, that only one player is still active on the Lions roster from the 2002 draft (John Owens). He's not even a starter. The Lions seemed to have faired slightly better in the second round, but this off-season Shaun Rogers, Kalimba Edwards, Teddy Lehman and Boss Bailey all departed Ford Field. six of Millen's ten second round picks are still with the team, however, making it easily his best statistic.

The really serious problem arises when we get to later rounds. Many teams talk about getting a steal on day two of the draft, a Tom Brady or Marques Colston who surprises everyone. For some teams, such as the Colts, the second day is just as important as the first - and they have the rings to prove it. Of Millen's thirty second day picks, only six players are still on the Lions' roster. That's a mere 20% of the players drafted since 2001.

Also of note are the number of draft choices traded away. Since 2001, Millen has given away thirteen draft choices (including nine in last year's draft) in a frivolous disregard for the conventional wisom of today's NFL. In an age where most front offices spend copious amounts of time desperately attempting to secure even late round picks, it is baffling - especially considering the players that the Lions drafted with the picks that they secured from all of those trades.

We haven't included any stats from the 2008 draft in this. It's impossible to judge who will be a star from that class, and maybe if they've learned their lesson... what's that? Already traded away their fourth round pick in 2009?

Actually outlawsrock has a point...

Bills casually sabotaging local market

If you read our season preview of the Bills earlier, you might be aware that we expressed concerns over the future plans for Buffalo in New York state. With the Buffalo market looking increasingly stifled, and the economy in the area still suffering, the team's future is in some doubt, more so than any other franchise in fact.

In one of those 'moves that make you go "hmmmm"', the Bills have gotten rid of their local cleaners. Of course, let's not JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS here, but it's another shot in the eye of a local economy that can ill afford it. Of course, let's not get started on Michigan's economy, or the fact that this is a small drop in the financial ocean...

Regardless of that, it's a tactless manoeuvre on behalf of the organisation, especially in light of the public's recent show of support. Bills fans recently snapped up tickets at the highest rate since 1993, in the middle of one of the best streaks in franchise history.

Jumping to conclusions

The guys at Profootballtalk are what could be described as 'sound'. There's generally always something readable on the site, and we have very little gripes with the way things are written. It's one of the sites that we casually browse every so often in the never ending quest for something interesting to write about.

There is one problem though, that we think they need to work on.

Today Mike Florio posted the following article regarding disgraced Radio presenter Don Imus. Imus was the fool who referred to the Rutgers' womens basketball team as 'Nappy-headed Ho's', and subsequently lost his CBS radio gig as a result. It was a stupid remark to make, and it's not easy to have sympathy with someone who is stupid enough to make such a comment.

Unfortunately, PFT have jumped to the conclusion that Imus is 'at it again'. The audio clip that we heard seemed to not reveal Imus as a big daft racist, but as someone who was making a point that African-Americans are much more likely to be stopped. If PFT are so certain of the racial connotations, they should ask themselves this: Why did Imus set up the question by asking the host what colour Adam Jones is? In our view, only a member of the KKK would have set up a comment like that live on the radio. Imus has only ever apologised for his Rutgers comments, and perhaps it's the British sense of irony and sarcasm that lets us take things at other than face value.

Even if your website is run by a lawyer, you should be careful of who you categorise as 'overtly and blatantly racist'

Apart from that, good job guys.

UPDATE
If you enjoy a good laugh, how about the article's comments section.

Still having a hard time deciding which is the funniest thing about this story: PFT not grasping sarcasm when it hears it, or people being 'overtly and blatantly racist' in the comments section.

NFL puts players in jeopardy.

NFLPA Union president Kevin Mawae has sounded off again, but the victim of his ire is not Ravens kicker (and possible secessionist) Matt Stover, it's just the NFL.

As reported on ESPN.com, Mawae rips the league for disclosing information regarding fellow Titan Ryan Fowler, who is under investigation for apparently buying steroids from David Jacobs, who commited suicide two weeks ago. Shortly before his death, Jacobs fingered (not like that) the Titans MLB as one of his clients from 2006, something that Fowler denies.

Mawae has a point here, and the league say so too:

"We agree with Kevin," Aiello said by e-mail. "Unfortunately, information that has to be shared with individuals outside of our office is sometimes given to the news media improperly."
- NFL spokesman Greg Aiello

It is worrying that, when you consider what is at stake, the league couldn't keep their findings under wraps whilst investigating serious allegations of steroid use. Looking at the bigger picture though, it is more worrying that these leaks occurred when Jacobs made this stark warning just days before his death::

"The kinds of people I have information about, they're the kinds of people who can put a bullet in the back of my head."
- Steroids Dealer David Jacobs

For the NFL to allow a person under investigation to be named like this is troubling. Surely they must be aware that even with Jacobs out of the picture, anyone implicated in the whole episode would be at risk from those looking to cover their tracks? If not, Jacobs's suicide should have been the wake up call they needed.

Buffalo Bills: Season Preview 2008

The Buffalo Bills

It's been a long time since fans of the Buffalo Bills had much to cheer about. The last time the team won a playoff game was 1995, and since the team cut Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, and Andre Reed at the end of the 2000 season, the Bills have been a franchise with no faces. The glory days of the early nineties, when the Bills made four straight superbowl appearances (let's not dwell on the four straight losses...) have been replaced with a barren, playoff-free wilderness. In fact, their last playoff appearance was probably one of the more memorable - the music city miracle.

The Coach

Dick Jauron has quietly risen into one of the NFL's better coaches over the last two years. Since taking over in Buffalo, he has overseen the drafting of several key players, but perhaps his biggest asset - GM Marv Levy - has now retired. The enigmatic Levy brought much needed stability to the team, and Bills fans will be hoping that, as Levy's guy, Jauron is able to continue the progress made in recent seasons. Offensive co-ordinator Steve Fairchild left, and former QBs coach Turk Schonert will be hoping to do better than the predictable Fairchild as he enters his first job as an OC in the NFL.

2007 season

The Bills finished 7-9 last season. Although they finished second in the AFC East, they missed out on a playoff place after losing their last 3 games. The most important move of the season was the replacing of J.P. Losman with rookie Trent Edwards at the Quarterback position. Losman rarely looked like turning into the QB they envisaged when the Bills invested a first round pick on him back in '04, and his cards were marked even before he sustained an early season injury. Edwards, who was selected in the third round last year, but already looks more likely to cement the position as his own - something that Losman never achieved in 3 years.

Draft class of 2008

Round 1 - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
Round 2 - James Hardy, WR, Indiana
Round 3 - Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech
Round 4 - Reggie Corner, CB, Akron
Round 4 - Derek Fine, TE, Kansas
Round 5 - Alvin Bowen, OLB, Iowa State
Round 6 - Xavier Omon, RB, Northwest Missouri State University
Round 7 - Demetrius Bell, OT, Northwestern State University
Round 7 - Steve Johnson, WR, Kentucky
Round 7 - Kennard Cox, DB, Pittsburgh

The Bills have done a good job in recent seasons of building through the draft. This year, they addressed most of the key needs on the team, and got a couple of steals in the process. Primarily, the Bills will be happy with the raw talent that Leodis McKelvin brings to the table at the cornerback position, which has been a problem area since the departure to San Francisco of Nate Clements. James Hardy should finally give Lee Evans a compliment at WR. Hardy is a big, bruising WR but also has the speed that could see him one day become an elite receiver in the league.

The only position that stands out on the Bills roster as a potential problem is Tight End. When Kevin Everett went down with his career ending injury, it was not only a sickening blow to the team's mental state, but yet another mid round TE prospect (see also: Tim Euhus) that would fail to challenge current incumbent Robert Royal. Royal is a serviceable TE, but the Bills have not used the position for receiving much in the last few years. Derek Fine should add the blocking ability that has been sorely missing from the Bills TE corps, but Royal will need to show he can catch the ball reliably, or his days in Buffalo may be numbered.

Strong side

Without doubt coach Dick Jauron has several talented players, probably more than the 7-9 record of last year would have people believe. The Offensive line is certainly looking formidable. Langston Walker and Derrick Dockery have both been succesful acquisition, and Tackle Jason Peters (alongside Dockery) give the Bills a very solid left side.

On the defensive side of the ball, the addition through Free Agency of ex-Jags DT Marcus Stroud is a crucial addition that could well help DE's Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay focus on the pass rush. It will also give young DT John McCargo a perfect role model as he looks to cement a starting role this year. The front four is formidable, and with MLB Paul Posluzny returning from injury, the linebacker group looks stronger than it has for many years. When Posluzny went down early last season, his replacement - John DiGiorgio - proved that he is more than capable of playing at this level, and gives the team depth that few others can match. Alongside another Free Agent, Kawika Mitchell, and with Angelo Crowell manning the strong side, the Bills are spoiled for choice in almost every position amongst the front seven.

Weak side

The Tight End situation aside, Buffalo also has question marks at the other offensive skill positions.

The addition of Hardy via the draft has given the team another option at receiver, but it is still a unit that lacks depth. Hardy and Lee Evans may be a tandem to strike fear into many secondaries, but if one of the two were to go down, the Bills are back to square one, somewhere they've been for the last three years. A question mark still hangs over the Running Back position too. Marshawn Lynch enters his second season as starter, and has shown the talent and durability to carry the load. Fred Jackson, too, looks to have talent. The release of veteran Anthony Thomas shows that Jauron and Schonert certainly have faith in him as a backup.

The question? Lynch's upcoming guilty plea for mowing down a Buffalo area girl at 3am. Wheras the charge is likely to be a misdemeanour, it will put Lynch on a very short leash with the league. In this age of Pacmans and Tanks, he will need to be extra careful to avoid problems with the law. It's a huge test of maturity for a young man, and his reaction to the original investigation into the incident didn't reflect positively on his current mindset. One of the problems an NFL player faces is that automatically, you become a potential target for the law, the media, and the average guy on the street. They're all going to try and take advantage of you, and often, it's the star that gets penalised. The last thing this team needs is it's most consistent offensive performer of 2007 to be hit with a suspension of any kind.

And finally, of course, there is young signal-caller Trent Edwards. Despite gaining the starting role for this season, Edwards must be concious that the Bills' decision to keep former first rounder J.P. Losman around is not the 100% faith that you'd like as a Quarterback. Edwards' play in 2007 showed a propensity for taking sacks and throwing interceptions, two things that no offence can afford to do on a regular basis. indeed, in the game against the Giants last December, Edwards threw three interceptions, two of which went back for scores (One, in fact, by Kawika Mitchell, then of the Giants.). Such a meltdown at a critical phase of the season is something that Edwards could have done without as he makes his case for being the franchise quarterback that Buffalo have not had since Jim Kelly.

Major transactions

In:
LB Kawika Mitchell
DT Marcus Stroud
TE Courtney Anderson
CB Will James
DT Spencer Johnson

Out:
WR Peerless Price
LB Coy Wire
RB Anthony Thomas
CB Jerametrius Butler
LB Kevin Harrison
DT Larry Tripplett

2008 Schedule

2 Sat, Aug 9th, 2008 at Washington 07:00 PM FedEx Field
3 Thu, Aug 14th, 2008 Pittsburgh 07:30 PM Rogers Centre - Toronto, Ontar
4 Sun, Aug 24th, 2008 at Indianapolis 08:00 PM Lucas Oil Stadium
5 Thu, Aug 28th, 2008 Detroit 06:30 PM Ralph Wilson Stadium

1 Sun, Sep 7th, 2008 Seattle 01:00 PM Ralph Wilson Stadium
2 Sun, Sep 14th, 2008 at Jacksonville 01:00 PM Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
3 Sun, Sep 21st, 2008 Oakland 01:00 PM Ralph Wilson Stadium
4 Sun, Sep 28th, 2008 at St. Louis 04:05 PM Edward Jones Dome
5 Sun, Oct 5th, 2008 at Arizona 04:15 PM University of Phoenix Stadium
6 Bye
7 Sun, Oct 19th, 2008 San Diego 01:00 PM Ralph Wilson Stadium
8 Sun, Oct 26th, 2008 at Miami 01:00 PM Dolphin Stadium
9 Sun, Nov 2nd, 2008 NY Jets 01:00 PM Ralph Wilson Stadium
10 Sun, Nov 9th, 2008 at New England 01:00 PM Gillette Stadium
11 Mon, Nov 17th, 2008 Cleveland 08:30 PM Ralph Wilson Stadium
12 Sun, Nov 23rd, 2008 at Kansas City 01:00 PM Arrowhead Stadium
13 Sun, Nov 30th, 2008 San Francisco 01:00 PM Ralph Wilson Stadium
14 Sun, Dec 7th, 2008 Miami 04:05 PM Rogers Centre - Toronto, Ontar
15 Sun, Dec 14th, 2008 at NY Jets 01:00 PM Meadowlands
16 Sun, Dec 21st, 2008 at Denver 04:05 PM Invesco Field at Mile High
17 Sun, Dec 28th, 2008 New England 01:00 PM Ralph Wilson Stadium

Fan view

Buffalo fan Philip Rolfe on whether the team is at risk of falling behind in the AFC East race:

Miami worries me more than the Jets do, but in general I don’t think there’s much danger. Teams can go and get whichever players they want to, and most teams will be able to offer more attractive packages both financially and in location than Buffalo can, which just means the team has to focus on its own strategies, principally developing its own talent and not making a free agency splash. They’ve done that most of this decade, and yeah, no playoff place since 2002 to show for it, but it’s not that far off.

Wide-Right's view

After years of building through the draft, it's a critical juncture for the Buffalo Bills in 2008. Not only have they suffered the indignity of missing the playoffs since 1999, but the franchise finds itself under the microscope regarding it's viability as a financial concern. The 2008 season sees the first in a series of five games that will be played in Toronto, and with the South Ontario market and it's 5m residents clearly of some appeal to the NFL, it is critical that the Bills have some form of success in the next 2-3 years that generates a slew of new revenue from the current Rochester market. Even now, it is difficult to see the Toronto games as anything other than a trial seperation, and we all know how they end...

On the field, it is vital that Trent Edwards starts well. The Bills can ill afford another QB project to fail, and Edwards needs to step up and build on a solid, yet unspectacular 2007. Buffalo have been perenially 'almost there' as far as their rosters, but the free agency additions of the last two seasons seem to be paying dividents. Having stability on your line is the first building block of any successful franchise, and they certainly have that much. It remains to be seen whether new Offensive coordinator Schonert can 'revamp the passing game' as he claims.

Another cause for concern is that despite this improvement, the Bills still slid to 7-9 in a year where both the Jets and Dolphins were abysmal. Nobody expects the Patriots to be anything other than dominant in the East, but the competition underneath them has hotted up this offseason. New York made several big money moves into free agency, and the Dolphins used the draft wisely under new GM Bill Parcells. Both teams are trying their hardest to win, and it remains to be seen whether the Bills could have fallen from 2nd to 4th in the AFC East rankings.

Prediction for 2008

Ah predictions. Can't go wrong with these! Let's see, heads = winning season, tails = losing season. Coin says tails I'm afraid, but in all seriousness, we think the Bills could be a surprise package. A lot will depend on how they match up in the division, but we're going for second place again for Buffalo. if the receivers stay healthy, they could even make the playoffs.

You heard it here first.

Useful links for Buffalo fans

Official site
Depth chart
Billsinsider - fansite

Charger set to benefit from Parker's release.

The news that the San Diego Superchargers (as they shalt forever be known on this site henceforth) has got PFT worked up.


One factor in all of this that seems to have flown under most people's radar, is backup WR Kassim Osgood. Osgood has been named to two straight pro-bowls as a special teams player, but was unhappy this offseason regarding the Chargers' plans for him as part of the offence.

“There is no reason to come to the (offseason coaching sessions) and run routes all day and run my body down and not be a receiver
”
- Kassim Osgood, March 2008

Osgood has a modest 32 receptions, but a 19.7yd average over his career. He was also quoted in 2006 as saying he would '...be a great receiver - just probably not in San Diego' The fifth year veteran has certainly shown a willingness to throw his body on the line as part of his special teams role, but has never seriously had a shot at competing for a job on offence. With Parker out of the mix, Chris Chambers, Vincent Jackson, and Craig Davis all figure to be ahead of Osgood on the depth chart. If he can edge out Malcolm Floyd and newly signed return man Mark Jones, Osgood might finally have a chance to get some serious playing time.

In the meantime, he can concentrate on that acting career.

Buffalo QB racking up air miles

Buffalo Bills starting QB Trent Edwards has taken a novel approach to the non-appearance of two of his top receiving threats during minicamp:

He's taking camp to them.

Edwards, who replaced J.P. Losman last season, will fly out to play catch with speedster Lee Evans, and TE Robert Royal. Edwards clearly feels that Training camp is not the place to be ironing out little flaws, and wants the team to be as prepared as possible this August. The snag? Edwards is based in California, Evans in Florida, while Royal works out in Arizona.

"I don't want July 25th to be the first workout I've had with those guys since last season," said Edwards. "I need to get out with those guys whether it be here, whether it be out where they are. I'm willing to go wherever they go so that's kind of my offseason plan right now." says the former Stanford player on the team's official website.

While the situation is refreshing from the point of view of Bills fans, you can bet your bottom dollar that coach Dick Jauron would prefer to have both Evans and Royal at OTA's, and - while he might let it go this year - will probably make it clear to Edwards in future that this kind of thing doesn't encourage players to head to New York state.

We'll be taking a close look at the Bills later today in the first of our team previews.

Read the full article on Edwards here