Matt Millen must go! (1 Viewer)

[Da Guru]

I was listening to WDFN today and the talk was that the Lions are looking to draft a QB in rd 2 this year.

Last year when they picked at the 10 spot Jay Cutler and Matt Leinart were still on the board.

This team needs to fill many holes, to draft a qB that will sit on the bench for two years does not help the Lions.

I am not sot sure Millen even has a plan.

 

[Norseman]

I was listening to WDFN today and the talk was that the Lions are looking to draft a QB in rd 2 this year.Last year when they picked at the 10 spot Jay Cutler and Matt Leinart were still on the board. This team needs to fill many holes, to draft a qB that will sit on the bench for two years does not help the Lions.I am not sot sure Millen even has a plan.

I think he should stay for a while longer.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Wouldn't surprise me at all....

QB Article on DraftGuys

Stanton should be selected at the beginning of Round 2 by one of the two teams that have big needs at QB (Oakland, Detroit, Cleveland, and Miami) that did not get Russell or Quinn. Detroit is added here because the Lions have an aging QB in Jon Kitna at the helm, and unless they plan to have no competition for Josh McCown or Dan Orlovsky going forward, they have to be thinking about a new arm as their #3. Miami’s a bad situation all around – even if they do trade for Trent Green – as they have lost faith in Daunte Culpepper and they don’t want to put all their faith going forward in Cleo Lemon.

With those four teams in the mix, look for Stanton to go early in Round 2. Stanton looks the classic part of NFL QB, something that is definitely missing from the Dolphins. Will new head coach Cam Cameron go that route? I would think so, and Miami has pick #41 to decide – something I think that they will certainly do if he remains on the board. The same can be said for Kevin Kolb – so I expect him to also be gone by about Pick 45. Detroit would seem to make the most sense here as Kolb has been tagged as a classic West Coast Offense kind of guy – a style that would gel very nicely with Mike Martz in Motor City.

QBs need to grow for a few years into a system (usually - unless an elite talent), and that starts a rebuilding exercise. Build the line, get the QB, add skill and speed positions (WR, LB, RB, DB).

 

[joffer]

This team needs to fill many holes, to draft a qB that will sit on the bench for two years does not help the Lions.

what if he turns out to be a good QB?

 

[Billy Ball Thorton]

Last year when they picked at the 10 spot Jay Cutler and Matt Leinart were still on the board.

Not sure what pick they had but Cards took Matt at the 10 spot

 

[nerangers]

Last year when they picked at the 10 spot Jay Cutler and Matt Leinart were still on the board.

Not sure what pick they had but Cards took Matt at the 10 spot

The Lions picked at #9

1 9 Ernie Sims OLB Florida State

 

[Da Guru]

Last year when they picked at the 10 spot Jay Cutler and Matt Leinart were still on the board.

Not sure what pick they had but Cards took Matt at the 10 spot

Meant Leinart went 10 right after the Lions picked.

 

[LionsFan78]

I hear ya Guru. However, I'm trying not to let my frustration at them passing on Leinart/Cutler last year cloud my judgement for this draft. It's in the past. Like you said though, they have many holes to fill. Which is all the more reason IMO for them to focus on other needs first, and then draft a project QB to sit for a few years. Kitna is more than serviceable for the short term.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

The truth is the Lions don't know what they're going to do. They are a team with terrible leadership.

If I were in charge and I made the decision to pass on Cutler and Leinart, then just 1 year later I don't see how much has changed. I'd stick with my same game plan right or wrong and try to fill their other holes on the team with their early draft picks and then just go with Kitna with some type of plan in mind that they will have to try and get a QB via free agency in the next couple of years.

 

[Z-Dog]

What's wrong with taking a QB in the second round? That they passed on Leinert and Cutler last year is irrelevant to their decision this year, and last year, many people thought the Lions were being smart by taking Sims.

I'm no Millen fan, but I think he's had some awful luck that makes him look worse. I think that if he fails to draft a QB who could take over in a year or two, he's doing the team a disservice. If Stanton is around, I think he makes a lot of sense.

 

[grind]

What's wrong with taking a QB in the second round? That they passed on Leinert and Cutler last year is irrelevant to their decision this year, and last year, many people thought the Lions were being smart by taking Sims. I'm no Millen fan, but I think he's had some awful luck that makes him look worse. I think that if he fails to draft a QB who could take over in a year or two, he's doing the team a disservice. If Stanton is around, I think he makes a lot of sense.

What "awful" luck are you referring to? Charlie Rogers failed a drug test at the combine before the Lions took him top five. Last I checked, all players take a drug test at the combine. It is a known test. The fact that Rogers couldn't put up the pipe for a few weeks speaks volumes for how he valued pot as compared to football. Joey Harrington????? I don't consider that bad luck. There were signs way back when they took him that he wasn't anything special. Name any 3rd to 7th round pick by Millen that actually contributes to the team, including special teams? This isn't "awful luck". This is just bad drafting.

 

[LionsFan78]

That they passed on Leinert and Cutler last year is irrelevant to their decision this year, and last year, many people thought the Lions were being smart by taking Sims.

Very good points Z. Of course now, looking back, I regret passing on Leinart/Cutler. Hindsight being 20/20 and all. But at the time it really wasn't a bad move. They had already acquired a vet QB (Kitna) and a young possible prospect (McCown). Plus they were still getting over the whole Joey Harrington mess (Come to think of it, I don't even think the Miami trade was finalized until after the draft?) . Honestly, I remember feeling at the time that it just didn't make sense for them to grab a QB. I don't regret them drafting Sims.

 

[lions327]

If the Lions trade back in round 1 with Tampa or someone else and get a 2nd in the deal....thus giving them two 2nds...then I would not have a problem with this. If they keep the #2 overall pick, and use their only 2nd round pick on a QB, it would bother me. They have too many holes to fill to use their only 2nd round pick on a QB, but if they have an additional 2nd rounder, then taking a QB there would make more sense.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

What's wrong with taking a QB in the second round? That they passed on Leinert and Cutler last year is irrelevant to their decision this year, and last year, many people thought the Lions were being smart by taking Sims. I'm no Millen fan, but I think he's had some awful luck that makes him look worse. I think that if he fails to draft a QB who could take over in a year or two, he's doing the team a disservice. If Stanton is around, I think he makes a lot of sense.

The general idea of taking a QB in the 2nd round........there's nothing wrong with it.I'm just saying, the Lions passed last year on two highly rated Qb's in Leinart and Cutler. That means to me that they weren't in the market for a franchise QB from the draft. If they were, they would have taken one.It's only been 1 year, what's really changed since then? Kitna's one year older, big deal. He was old last year.If they ARE in the market for a QB this year, then they should just take Quinn in the 1st round. Stanton to me will be nothing more than a backup Qb in his career. After the Charlie Rogers bust, I dont' know if that's the place we want to visit again for another top pick.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

That they passed on Leinert and Cutler last year is irrelevant to their decision this year, and last year, many people thought the Lions were being smart by taking Sims.

Very good points Z. Of course now, looking back, I regret passing on Leinart/Cutler. Hindsight being 20/20 and all. But at the time it really wasn't a bad move. They had already acquired a vet QB (Kitna) and a young possible prospect (McCown). Plus they were still getting over the whole Joey Harrington mess (Come to think of it, I don't even think the Miami trade was finalized until after the draft?) . Honestly, I remember feeling at the time that it just didn't make sense for them to grab a QB. I don't regret them drafting Sims.

Come on Lionsfan, you say it yourself in your post. Kitna is a VET so grabbing Leinart last year would have been a great move. Anyone who knows football knew and knows McCown was/is a piece of crap. And there isn't time in the NFL to "get over" the Joey Harrington mess. The bottom line is the Lions didn't have the guts to make the pick so they passed. It was a terrible decision. I remember stomping the floor as hard as I could when the Lions didn't take Leinart with that pick........

 

[mozzy84]

That they passed on Leinert and Cutler last year is irrelevant to their decision this year, and last year, many people thought the Lions were being smart by taking Sims.

Very good points Z. Of course now, looking back, I regret passing on Leinart/Cutler. Hindsight being 20/20 and all. But at the time it really wasn't a bad move. They had already acquired a vet QB (Kitna) and a young possible prospect (McCown). Plus they were still getting over the whole Joey Harrington mess (Come to think of it, I don't even think the Miami trade was finalized until after the draft?) . Honestly, I remember feeling at the time that it just didn't make sense for them to grab a QB. I don't regret them drafting Sims.

You will probably be typing the exact same thing next year with Quinns name inserted instead of Leinart/Cutler. I thought they were nuts last year passing on Leinart (at #9 no less) for concussed Sims.

 

[Bri]

If I were hoping to trade down I'd be showing interest in a player others wanted....a 2nd round QB.

If McCown is traded then they need a QB. At this point Orlovsky should be able to be a #2 QB IMO but.....

Can they get that young QB from the Rams? Ryan Fitzpatrick? Will he cost much in trade?

Kitna's not young.

Showing interest in QBs opens some options for them

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

If the Lions trade back in round 1 with Tampa or someone else and get a 2nd in the deal....thus giving them two 2nds...then I would not have a problem with this. If they keep the #2 overall pick, and use their only 2nd round pick on a QB, it would bother me. They have too many holes to fill to use their only 2nd round pick on a QB, but if they have an additional 2nd rounder, then taking a QB there would make more sense.

I sort of agree with this.....if they drop down and get some addtional picks, then maybe they could make a selection at QB in the 2nd round.But they need to have a plan of who they want. Not just.....I'm going to take a QB in the 2nd round and just pick one. They need to feel good about a guy, know who they want and if he's there, take him. If he's picked right before them, then go another route because the guy they wanted isn't there. I don't like the whole idea of just saying I'm going to take a QB in the 2nd.

 

[seahawk 17]

I thought Sims played great for a rookie.

 

[Bri]

That they passed on Leinert and Cutler last year is irrelevant to their decision this year, and last year, many people thought the Lions were being smart by taking Sims.

Very good points Z. Of course now, looking back, I regret passing on Leinart/Cutler. Hindsight being 20/20 and all. But at the time it really wasn't a bad move. They had already acquired a vet QB (Kitna) and a young possible prospect (McCown). Plus they were still getting over the whole Joey Harrington mess (Come to think of it, I don't even think the Miami trade was finalized until after the draft?) . Honestly, I remember feeling at the time that it just didn't make sense for them to grab a QB. I don't regret them drafting Sims.

You will probably be typing the exact same thing next year with Quinns name inserted instead of Leinart/Cutler. I thought they were nuts last year passing on Leinart (at #9 no less) for concussed Sims.

Sims worked out great for them. What more do you want from a rookie LBer? Millen deserves credit there. He's got enough bad picks that you don't need to try and create one here. IMO The thoughts in this thread aren't fair and I'm for being stuck defending Millen but Sims looks excellent.

 

[Phurfur]

The truth is the Lions don't know what they're going to do. They are a team with terrible leadership.If I were in charge and I made the decision to pass on Cutler and Leinart, then just 1 year later I don't see how much has changed. I'd stick with my same game plan right or wrong and try to fill their other holes on the team with their early draft picks and then just go with Kitna with some type of plan in mind that they will have to try and get a QB via free agency in the next couple of years.

Oakland made the same mistake. I guess we know why they're drafting 1 and 2.

 

[mozzy84]

That they passed on Leinert and Cutler last year is irrelevant to their decision this year, and last year, many people thought the Lions were being smart by taking Sims.

Very good points Z. Of course now, looking back, I regret passing on Leinart/Cutler. Hindsight being 20/20 and all. But at the time it really wasn't a bad move. They had already acquired a vet QB (Kitna) and a young possible prospect (McCown). Plus they were still getting over the whole Joey Harrington mess (Come to think of it, I don't even think the Miami trade was finalized until after the draft?) . Honestly, I remember feeling at the time that it just didn't make sense for them to grab a QB. I don't regret them drafting Sims.

You will probably be typing the exact same thing next year with Quinns name inserted instead of Leinart/Cutler. I thought they were nuts last year passing on Leinart (at #9 no less) for concussed Sims.

Sims worked out great for them. What more do you want from a rookie LBer? Millen deserves credit there. He's got enough bad picks that you don't need to try and create one here. IMO The thoughts in this thread aren't fair and I'm for being stuck defending Millen but Sims looks excellent.

I think a young francise qb in Lienart or Cutler would have worked out better and made them a better organization than any linebacker could/will. I never said Sims didn't play well, he was one of the few bright spots on that defense. I don't know how much credit you can give Millen though, picking in the top ten year after year you are bound to find one guy who can play eventually.

 

[grind]

That they passed on Leinert and Cutler last year is irrelevant to their decision this year, and last year, many people thought the Lions were being smart by taking Sims.

Very good points Z. Of course now, looking back, I regret passing on Leinart/Cutler. Hindsight being 20/20 and all. But at the time it really wasn't a bad move. They had already acquired a vet QB (Kitna) and a young possible prospect (McCown). Plus they were still getting over the whole Joey Harrington mess (Come to think of it, I don't even think the Miami trade was finalized until after the draft?) . Honestly, I remember feeling at the time that it just didn't make sense for them to grab a QB. I don't regret them drafting Sims.

You will probably be typing the exact same thing next year with Quinns name inserted instead of Leinart/Cutler. I thought they were nuts last year passing on Leinart (at #9 no less) for concussed Sims.

Sims worked out great for them. What more do you want from a rookie LBer? Millen deserves credit there. He's got enough bad picks that you don't need to try and create one here. IMO The thoughts in this thread aren't fair and I'm for being stuck defending Millen but Sims looks excellent.

That Sims pick had Merinelli written all over it. I think Millen realized prior to last year's draft that he was on his last coach and could feel the heat. At that point, I think he opened his ears and let someone else have some say on the pick. He should be thanking Merinelli every day for that selection.

 

[joffer]

whatever happens this year, we can be sure that Millen will get the blame if it's a bad pick, and Marinelli will get the credit if it's a good pick.

Millen has not done a good job, but some of the criticism this guy gets has now gotten ludicrous

 

[grind]

whatever happens this year, we can be sure that Millen will get the blame if it's a bad pick, and Marinelli will get the credit if it's a good pick.Millen has not done a good job, but some of the criticism this guy gets has now gotten ludicrous

The fact is, the Sims pick was considerably different then any other first round pick Millen has made. Millen has consistantly drafted to sell tickets (skill players), which is why he gets a five year extension a couple years ago. The Ford's love selling tickets. The heat gets very hot prior to last years draft. Marinelli had Brooks in Tampa and Sims fits the same mold. You connect the dots.

 

[Bri]

Sims worked out great for them. What more do you want from a rookie LBer? Millen deserves credit there. He's got enough bad picks that you don't need to try and create one here. IMO The thoughts in this thread aren't fair and I'm for being stuck defending Millen but Sims looks excellent.

I think a young francise qb in Lienart or Cutler would have worked out better and made them a better organization than any linebacker could/will. I never said Sims didn't play well, he was one of the few bright spots on that defense. I don't know how much credit you can give Millen though, picking in the top ten year after year you are bound to find one guy who can play eventually.

Re Leinart or Cutler, I don't think a rook could have done as well as Kitna did. Shanny's a great offensive mind and Green(while coaching is questionable) is a top offensive mind too wherever he goes +Zona has great WRs. It's hard for me to see how Leinart or Cutler would do anywhere near as well with another great offensve mind in Martz.I think the Lions and their fans needed something to hang their hat on, some form of improvement. Kitna, Marinelli+Martz gave them that. It's just step 1 in getting that franchise rolling but I think ya got at least a small sign that this staff might be able to get that team to do well. I don't know that the Lions offerred their fans that in the last few years.Further, Harrington was a very good QB prospect. I'm not sure where he and Cutler/Leinart compare as far as prospects enterring the pros but it's probably halfway comparable. I don't think that franchise could handle "another Harrington" right now.I don't disagree you're bound to get a solid player if ya keep picking in the top ten but ya got one. Now we're into 2007 and ya (hopefully) get another and...eventually enough pieces to the puzzle and you've got a great team. That's the process as you know. I simply don't think there's anything useful in critiquing getting one solid piece to the puzzle. As a Pats fan I have 90 year old LBers to root for and the young LBers are ST players. "We" didn't draft Ryans or Sims or....I wish they got a LBer as there were some good ones. On draft day every year, I think BB and Pioli are wackos for drafting a TE every year and even 2 last year but if I step back and think "piece to the puzzle" it all works out just fine. I think the Lions fans in this thread need to do something similar. Enjoy watching Sims on Sunday and forget about the QBs. It just doesn't do any good to create a negative here, just enjoy watching the guy play.

 

[Bri]

That Sims pick had Merinelli written all over it. I think Millen realized prior to last year's draft that he was on his last coach and could feel the heat. At that point, I think he opened his ears and let someone else have some say on the pick. He should be thanking Merinelli every day for that selection.

I'm merely saying if one guy gets the blame then he should get the credit too.If you want to get particular both probably deserve to go to their player personnel guy and scouting dept and not to either Marinelli or Millen. For some weird reason, fans almost never say that about an NFL team.

 

[Z-Dog]

What's wrong with taking a QB in the second round? That they passed on Leinert and Cutler last year is irrelevant to their decision this year, and last year, many people thought the Lions were being smart by taking Sims. I'm no Millen fan, but I think he's had some awful luck that makes him look worse. I think that if he fails to draft a QB who could take over in a year or two, he's doing the team a disservice. If Stanton is around, I think he makes a lot of sense.

What "awful" luck are you referring to? Charlie Rogers failed a drug test at the combine before the Lions took him top five. Last I checked, all players take a drug test at the combine. It is a known test. The fact that Rogers couldn't put up the pipe for a few weeks speaks volumes for how he valued pot as compared to football. Joey Harrington????? I don't consider that bad luck. There were signs way back when they took him that he wasn't anything special. Name any 3rd to 7th round pick by Millen that actually contributes to the team, including special teams? This isn't "awful luck". This is just bad drafting.

So Charles Rogers positive drug test should have been an indication that he would break his collarbone two years in a row? That's what derailed his career, not pot. Every pick has holes, and whenever a player fails, in retrospect, "the signs were all there". I think it's absurd to say that Harrington wasn't anything special - all the talent evaluators I read or heard at the time had Harrington rated as at least a top-10 pick, and many had him as the best QB in the draft. I'll admit that I'm no expert in Lions draft, and if anything, I think that the lack of talent in the later picks is a bigger indictment of Millen than misfiring on the early picks. I do believe that Millen is among the worst GMs in the league. But I don't think he's a bad GM b/c he took Sims over Leinart and Cutler - that was a fine decision... and let's remember that Leinart and Cutler haven't won squat yet.

What's wrong with taking a QB in the second round? That they passed on Leinert and Cutler last year is irrelevant to their decision this year, and last year, many people thought the Lions were being smart by taking Sims. I'm no Millen fan, but I think he's had some awful luck that makes him look worse. I think that if he fails to draft a QB who could take over in a year or two, he's doing the team a disservice. If Stanton is around, I think he makes a lot of sense.

The general idea of taking a QB in the 2nd round........there's nothing wrong with it.I'm just saying, the Lions passed last year on two highly rated Qb's in Leinart and Cutler. That means to me that they weren't in the market for a franchise QB from the draft. If they were, they would have taken one.It's only been 1 year, what's really changed since then? Kitna's one year older, big deal. He was old last year.If they ARE in the market for a QB this year, then they should just take Quinn in the 1st round. Stanton to me will be nothing more than a backup Qb in his career. After the Charlie Rogers bust, I dont' know if that's the place we want to visit again for another top pick.

The fact that the Lions didn't take a QB in the first round last year doesn't mean that they weren't in the market for a franchise QB. It just means that Ernie Sims was rated higher on their draft board. It is quite possible that if say, Buffalo hadn't stunned everyone by taking Donte Whitner (ultimately a good choice for them!) and had taken Sims instead, the Lions would have taken a QB.As for what's changed since last year, I'd say a few important things. Kitna is a year older, so what, he's like 35 now, no? The Lions have also had a chance to see Orlovsky for another year, and they've been able to evaluate whether McCown could be an answer for them. After a year of evaluation, it appears that neither of these guys are a viable starting QB option. That makes it urgent to bring in a guy who can become the starter. It's clear that on your draft board, Drew Stanton doesn't project into a possible starter, so you wouldn't take him before the 4th round. But I'm not here to argue about Stanton or some other specific player. It's like the Jets last year - they could have taken Leinart or Cutler, but took O-line instead and added a QB in round 2. Generally speaking, teams don't spend a top-5 pick on a QB when they have an established starter that they are happy with. By all accounts, the Lions are very pleased with Kitna.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

What's wrong with taking a QB in the second round? That they passed on Leinert and Cutler last year is irrelevant to their decision this year, and last year, many people thought the Lions were being smart by taking Sims. I'm no Millen fan, but I think he's had some awful luck that makes him look worse. I think that if he fails to draft a QB who could take over in a year or two, he's doing the team a disservice. If Stanton is around, I think he makes a lot of sense.

Millen is such an easy target when it comesto bashing, but I think Ernie Sims was a fine pick last year.If he can somehow land Kolb in the 2nd, it will be a sweet find.I don't think he can pull it off, but he may if he can trade upto the top of the 2nd round.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I understand what you guys are saying, and the Sims pick seems like it may work out, although that's still not a certainty yet.

But I feel like that pick wasn't solely made on the fact of Sims ability, but on the fact that Millen made some very bad picks at WR and at QB and didn't feel confident in his and whoever he works with ability to draft offensive talent. He's a defensive guy himself and when all the chips were on the table, which they basically are right now for him, he went with what he's most comfortable with and that's defense.

McCown is always been a bumb. Kitna was old last year, he's old this year. He'll throw for close to 4000 yards again this year, slightly under or slightly over. The Lions don't need to draft a QB if their plan is to sign a free agent in the next couple of years.

Personally, I think he should just stick with trying to build the team with some meat and potatoes. Get Thomas, maybe acquire a pick or two with a trade and draft some more defensive talent.

 

[a_rackowski]

If Detroit trades down, this 2nd round QB will likely be drafted with one of the extra picks that they acquire from the trade.

 

[Da Guru]

What's wrong with taking a QB in the second round? That they passed on Leinert and Cutler last year is irrelevant to their decision this year, and last year, many people thought the Lions were being smart by taking Sims.

I'm no Millen fan, but I think he's had some awful luck that makes him look worse. I think that if he fails to draft a QB who could take over in a year or two, he's doing the team a disservice. If Stanton is around, I think he makes a lot of sense.

Millen is such an easy target when it comesto bashing, but I think Ernie Sims was a fine pick last year.If he can somehow land Kolb in the 2nd, it will be a sweet find.

I don't think he can pull it off, but he may if he can trade up

to the top of the 2nd round.

I wonder why?? The Lions were 9-7 the year before he came in..he fired Gary Moeller who loved to play the same smashmouth football that Millen loves. Hired a finesse guy in Morningweg and proceeded to lead the NFL in total losses under his leadership.

It is not hard gor Millen to wear the bullseye.

 

[LionsFan78]

That they passed on Leinert and Cutler last year is irrelevant to their decision this year, and last year, many people thought the Lions were being smart by taking Sims.

Very good points Z. Of course now, looking back, I regret passing on Leinart/Cutler. Hindsight being 20/20 and all. But at the time it really wasn't a bad move. They had already acquired a vet QB (Kitna) and a young possible prospect (McCown). Plus they were still getting over the whole Joey Harrington mess (Come to think of it, I don't even think the Miami trade was finalized until after the draft?) . Honestly, I remember feeling at the time that it just didn't make sense for them to grab a QB. I don't regret them drafting Sims.

Come on Lionsfan, you say it yourself in your post. Kitna is a VET so grabbing Leinart last year would have been a great move. Anyone who knows football knew and knows McCown was/is a piece of crap. And there isn't time in the NFL to "get over" the Joey Harrington mess. The bottom line is the Lions didn't have the guts to make the pick so they passed. It was a terrible decision. I remember stomping the floor as hard as I could when the Lions didn't take Leinart with that pick........

I don't disagree with you Cowboy, and I'm certainly not defending McCown. What I am saying though, is that with both Kitna and McCown (for whatever reason) acquired one month prior to the draft, and not to mention coaches still swearing that Orlovsky had a future in DET.....there were better options to address at the time with the #9 pick.

 

[Da Guru]

That they passed on Leinert and Cutler last year is irrelevant to their decision this year, and last year, many people thought the Lions were being smart by taking Sims.

Very good points Z. Of course now, looking back, I regret passing on Leinart/Cutler. Hindsight being 20/20 and all. But at the time it really wasn't a bad move. They had already acquired a vet QB (Kitna) and a young possible prospect (McCown). Plus they were still getting over the whole Joey Harrington mess (Come to think of it, I don't even think the Miami trade was finalized until after the draft?) . Honestly, I remember feeling at the time that it just didn't make sense for them to grab a QB. I don't regret them drafting Sims.

Come on Lionsfan, you say it yourself in your post. Kitna is a VET so grabbing Leinart last year would have been a great move. Anyone who knows football knew and knows McCown was/is a piece of crap. And there isn't time in the NFL to "get over" the Joey Harrington mess. The bottom line is the Lions didn't have the guts to make the pick so they passed. It was a terrible decision. I remember stomping the floor as hard as I could when the Lions didn't take Leinart with that pick........

I don't disagree with you Cowboy, and I'm certainly not defending McCown. What I am saying though, is that with both Kitna and McCown (for whatever reason) acquired one month prior to the draft, and not to mention coaches still swearing that Orlovsky had a future in DET.....there were better options to address at the time with the #9 pick.

I heard yesterday that the Raiders were interested in McCown.

 

[matuski]

Why doesn't the Cleveland GM (Savage?) get this kind of grief?

They have done MUCH worse in the draft the last 8 years.

 

[BigRed]

Just curious how many of you have responded here:

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=314873



If Millen had taken a QB people would have ripped him too. He's in a classic can't-win situation.

 

[lions327]

Just curious how many of you have responded here:

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=314873



If Millen had taken a QB people would have ripped him too. He's in a classic can't-win situation.

"Can't win" is not just a situation, it's a result (24-72)

 

[FairWarning]

Since there are more higher-rated wr's than qb's, would it not make more sense to draft Quinn at 1.2 and one of the wr's at 2.2? May be able to get Jarrett.

 

[Z-Dog]

Since there are more higher-rated wr's than qb's, would it not make more sense to draft Quinn at 1.2 and one of the wr's at 2.2? May be able to get Jarrett.

I agree that the Lions are likely to find a great choice at WR in round 2 - seems like a couple of good ones will slip. But with Furrey and Williams, what's the need? It seems like the Lions have other holes to address, including O-line, TE, DE and CB (and QB, obviously, though not an immediate need).

 

[Donnybrook]

Why doesn't the Cleveland GM (Savage?) get this kind of grief?

They have done MUCH worse in the draft the last 8 years.

He has only been responsible for two Cleveland drafts. Both his 1st rounders were solid picks: Kamerion Wimbley and Braylon Edwards. However, Savage has had alot more success with the Ravens. http://www.drafthistory.com/index.php?/web...ents/article63/

During his nine-year tenure, the Ravens drafted 10 players who made a total of 30 Pro Bowl trips….The Ravens selected to the Pro Bowl were: T Jonathan Ogden (8 times), LB Ray Lewis (7 times), LB Peter Boulware (4 times), CB Chris McAlister (twice), TE Todd Heap (twice), S Ed Reed (twice), KR Jermaine Lewis (twice), RB Jamal Lewis, LB Adalius Thomas and LB Terrell Suggs.

 

[BigRed]

"Can't win" is not just a situation, it's a result (24-72)

Isn't hindsight great?

 

[lions327]

"Can't win" is not just a situation, it's a result (24-72)

Isn't hindsight track record great?

Fixed.

 

[Irish]

Why doesn't the Cleveland GM (Savage?) get this kind of grief?They have done MUCH worse in the draft the last 8 years.

Savage has only been in Cleveland 2 or 3 drafts. Their draft last yr was pretty good.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Let's not skewer Millen for the mistakes that he will (probably) make in the future.

If you want to blame him for the signings of Az Hakim, Bill Schroeder, Fernando Bryant and Rick DeMulling, the drafting of Joey Harrington, Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, the complete failure to draft NFL caliber backups in the late rounds, or the unnecessary franchising of Jeff Backus and Cory Redding, go right ahead.

But this year's draft hasn't happened yet. Let's wait until its proven to be a mistake before we pass judgment.

 

[grind]

Since there are more higher-rated wr's than qb's, would it not make more sense to draft Quinn at 1.2 and one of the wr's at 2.2? May be able to get Jarrett.

They already have Fat Mike Williams. Why would they want Jarrett?