Matt Millen to be color on NFLN's Thursday night games (1 Viewer)

[sandy]

http://blogs.usatoday.com/thehuddle/2009/0...his-resume.html

Matt Millen may not have amounted to much as an NFL executive; the Lions were 31-84 in his seven-plus years running the team, and that record does not fully reflect last year's 0-16 squad, the first team in NFL history to go winless during a 16-game schedule.

But Millen is renowned for his abilities as a broadcast analyst. So maybe it's no surprise that a month after ESPN hired him to contribute to its NFL and college football telecasts, NFL Network is also inserting Millen into its lineup.

The league's in-house network announced Monday that Millen will replace Cris Collinsworth (who assumed the retired John Madden's job on NBC's Sunday night games) as its analyst on Thursday Night Football. Millen will team with play-by-play man Bob Papa in the booth.

“Matt Millen is one of the best television analysts in the business, and we welcome him back to the booth on Thursday Night Football,” says NFL Network president and CEO Steve Bornstein. “Matt’s candor, knowledge and passion for the NFL, partnered with Bob Papa, make them a very entertaining and informative announcing team.”

Millen, who played in the NFL for 12 seasons as a linebacker, was a member of four Super Bowl champions with the Raiders, 49ers and Redskins. He will make his NFLN debut November 12 when the 49ers host the Bears. He will also do seven other games for the network while maintaining his role with ESPN.

"I am humbled to be a part of the NFL Network team,” says Millen, who earned acclaim as an analyst while working for CBS and Fox between 1995 and 2000. “It is very exciting to be joining Bob Papa and an outstanding crew of professionals on the Thursday Night Football telecasts.”

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

http://blogs.usatoday.com/thehuddle/2009/0...his-resume.html

Matt Millen may not have amounted to much as an NFL executive; the Lions were 31-84 in his seven-plus years running the team, and that record does not fully reflect last year's 0-16 squad, the first team in NFL history to go winless during a 16-game schedule.

But Millen is renowned for his abilities as a broadcast analyst. So maybe it's no surprise that a month after ESPN hired him to contribute to its NFL and college football telecasts, NFL Network is also inserting Millen into its lineup.

The league's in-house network announced Monday that Millen will replace Cris Collinsworth (who assumed the retired John Madden's job on NBC's Sunday night games) as its analyst on Thursday Night Football. Millen will team with play-by-play man Bob Papa in the booth.

“Matt Millen is one of the best television analysts in the business, and we welcome him back to the booth on Thursday Night Football,” says NFL Network president and CEO Steve Bornstein. “Matt’s candor, knowledge and passion for the NFL, partnered with Bob Papa, make them a very entertaining and informative announcing team.”

Millen, who played in the NFL for 12 seasons as a linebacker, was a member of four Super Bowl champions with the Raiders, 49ers and Redskins. He will make his NFLN debut November 12 when the 49ers host the Bears. He will also do seven other games for the network while maintaining his role with ESPN.

"I am humbled to be a part of the NFL Network team,” says Millen, who earned acclaim as an analyst while working for CBS and Fox between 1995 and 2000. “It is very exciting to be joining Bob Papa and an outstanding crew of professionals on the Thursday Night Football telecasts.”

Whatta joke...Seriously, the NFLN is almost irrelevant.

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

http://blogs.usatoday.com/thehuddle/2009/0...his-resume.html

Matt Millen may not have amounted to much as an NFL executive; the Lions were 31-84 in his seven-plus years running the team, and that record does not fully reflect last year's 0-16 squad, the first team in NFL history to go winless during a 16-game schedule.

But Millen is renowned for his abilities as a broadcast analyst. So maybe it's no surprise that a month after ESPN hired him to contribute to its NFL and college football telecasts, NFL Network is also inserting Millen into its lineup.

The league's in-house network announced Monday that Millen will replace Cris Collinsworth (who assumed the retired John Madden's job on NBC's Sunday night games) as its analyst on Thursday Night Football. Millen will team with play-by-play man Bob Papa in the booth.

“Matt Millen is one of the best television analysts in the business, and we welcome him back to the booth on Thursday Night Football,” says NFL Network president and CEO Steve Bornstein. “Matt’s candor, knowledge and passion for the NFL, partnered with Bob Papa, make them a very entertaining and informative announcing team.”

Millen, who played in the NFL for 12 seasons as a linebacker, was a member of four Super Bowl champions with the Raiders, 49ers and Redskins. He will make his NFLN debut November 12 when the 49ers host the Bears. He will also do seven other games for the network while maintaining his role with ESPN.

"I am humbled to be a part of the NFL Network team,” says Millen, who earned acclaim as an analyst while working for CBS and Fox between 1995 and 2000. “It is very exciting to be joining Bob Papa and an outstanding crew of professionals on the Thursday Night Football telecasts.”

Whatta joke...Seriously, the NFLN is almost irrelevant.

He was over his head as an NFL executive I will agree with that, but that is not what he will be doing on NFL network. Millen is an excellent analyst. Also, playing in the league for 12 years and being a member of 4 Super Bowl teams makes him worthy of being listened to. You are way off base here.

 

[domvin]

almost makes me long for bryant Gumbel.....

 

[whitem0nkey]

Millen must have dirty pictures of everybody.

 

[TheFanatic]

He was over his head as an NFL executive I will agree with that, but that is not what he will be doing on NFL network. Millen is an excellent analyst. Also, playing in the league for 12 years and being a member of 4 Super Bowl teams makes him worthy of being listened to. You are way off base here.

I totally agree. Joe Montana is one of the greatest QB's to ever play but as an commentator he blew. Millen is a great analyst. Horrible team president, but great analyst. The hate needs to stop. What he did as an NFL exec and what he does in the booth have nothing to do with each other...

 

[iSnitch]

I know he was a solid analyst but after watching him ruin the Lions, I just can't take the guy seriously.

 

[mozzy84]

I know he was a solid analyst but after watching him ruin the Lions, I just can't take the guy seriously.

my thoughts exactly. If I were a lions fan not sure I could stomach listening to him period....

 

[TwinTurbo]

I know he was a solid analyst but after watching him ruin the Lions, I just can't take the guy seriously.

Whether or not he is a great analyst, the guy just doesn't have any credibility anymore. The league needs him to disappear for a year or two before resuming his career. I don't see how Millen is a positive for the league in any capacity right now. I would rather see Michal Vick make a comeback than this clown and I really don't like Vick. There are a large number of fans who don't want to see Millen's stupid face or hear his stupid voice. Show them some respect and keep this guy off the air for a least a little while.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

I know he was a solid analyst but after watching him ruin the Lions, I just can't take the guy seriously.

This

 

[machogrande]

He was over his head as an NFL executive I will agree with that, but that is not what he will be doing on NFL network.

Millen is an excellent analyst. Also, playing in the league for 12 years and being a member of 4 Super Bowl teams makes him worthy of being listened to. You are way off base here.

I totally agree. Joe Montana is one of the greatest QB's to ever play but as an commentator he blew. Millen is a great analyst. Horrible team president, but great analyst. The hate needs to stop. What he did as an NFL exec and what he does in the booth have nothing to do with each other...

I am going to disagree, respectfully. As a life long Lions fan, the "hate" will never stop. For myself, he didn't just shoot his NFL credibility in the foot with his destruction of the Lions franchise, he blew his foot off. (Sorry, maybe I'm just a disgruntled Lions fan who never wants to see his face again). Being a great analyst and terrible (one of the worst ever) judge of NFL talent seems almost impossible to me....

 

[Avery]

I know he was a solid analyst but after watching him ruin the Lions, I just can't take the guy seriously.

Not disagreeing with the general concept, but it's not like he took a great franchise with such an exemplary track record of excellence and ran it into the ground.

 

[TwinTurbo]

I know he was a solid analyst but after watching him ruin the Lions, I just can't take the guy seriously.

Not disagreeing with the general concept, but it's not like he took a great franchise with such an exemplary track record of excellence and ran it into the ground.

It is unlikely that any NFL GM for any franchise will ever be able repeat the level of failure that Matt Millen was able to achieve. I can't think of a worse GM in any sport in recent history. Maybe Isaiah Thomas. But many of his failures were as a head coach too. If the Cards can make a Superbowl then the Lions could have done better too with a real GM.

 

[Ozymandias]

What color is ###?

Is it brown?

 

[TheFanatic]

He was over his head as an NFL executive I will agree with that, but that is not what he will be doing on NFL network.

Millen is an excellent analyst. Also, playing in the league for 12 years and being a member of 4 Super Bowl teams makes him worthy of being listened to. You are way off base here.

I totally agree. Joe Montana is one of the greatest QB's to ever play but as an commentator he blew. Millen is a great analyst. Horrible team president, but great analyst. The hate needs to stop. What he did as an NFL exec and what he does in the booth have nothing to do with each other...

I am going to disagree, respectfully. As a life long Lions fan, the "hate" will never stop. For myself, he didn't just shoot his NFL credibility in the foot with his destruction of the Lions franchise, he blew his foot off. (Sorry, maybe I'm just a disgruntled Lions fan who never wants to see his face again). Being a great analyst and terrible (one of the worst ever) judge of NFL talent seems almost impossible to me....

They guy may not be able to run an NFL franchise but he can explain the game in a manner that is appealing to millions including myself. If he had done that to my Rams I would probably feel the same way, but he didn't so I can look at it from the outside. But the way I see it, Lions fans can hold a grudge which gets them nowhere but pissed, or they can just let it go and look forward to the new regime... You know, look to the future than always #####ing about the past.. Much better way to live your lives...

 

[PrimUomo]

The hate needs to pile on more. He pretty much sunk a franchise in a decade+ pit which may take another decade to get out of. That is a lot of ruined careers.

Thursday night is perfect for him. It is the stupidest gimmick (football on thursday nights? Nahhh) and he the stupidest GM I've ever seen so it fits.

 

[Raider Nation]

Heard an interview with him today after the news broke. He stated that he had no resentment towards the Lions.



Well, isn't that big of you to not have resentment towards the franchise you set back 45 years. What a guy!

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I know he was a solid analyst but after watching him ruin the Lions, I just can't take the guy seriously.

Because the Lions had a long run of playoff history prior to him "ruining" them?

 

[PrimUomo]

The job of a GM is to improve a team. Not maintain or make worse.

 

[Avery]

I know he was a solid analyst but after watching him ruin the Lions, I just can't take the guy seriously.

Not disagreeing with the general concept, but it's not like he took a great franchise with such an exemplary track record of excellence and ran it into the ground.

It is unlikely that any NFL GM for any franchise will ever be able repeat the level of failure that Matt Millen was able to achieve. I can't think of a worse GM in any sport in recent history. Maybe Isaiah Thomas. But many of his failures were as a head coach too. If the Cards can make a Superbowl then the Lions could have done better too with a real GM.

Don't disagree with any of that and maybe I'm just parsing words but can you ruin something that was already pretty crappy to start with?

 

[bcr8f]

But Millen is renowned for his abilities as a broadcast analyst. So maybe it's no surprise that a month after ESPN hired him to contribute to its NFL and college football telecasts, NFL Network is also inserting Millen into its lineup.

No he isn't.

 

[Biabreakable]

This will not end well.

 

[puckalicious]

This has actually made me no longer care that I can't watch NFLN games on cable. Now I don't want to anyway!

As a disgruntled (ok, really really pissed off) Lions fan, isn't enough that he bilked old man Ford out of about $50M? Can't he just disappear to a tropical island or something? Heck he could buy one. Maybe he's just so full of himself he has to get his fat head back on TV again.

 

[Gopher State]

http://blogs.usatoday.com/thehuddle/2009/0...his-resume.html

Matt Millen may not have amounted to much as an NFL executive; the Lions were 31-84 in his seven-plus years running the team, and that record does not fully reflect last year's 0-16 squad, the first team in NFL history to go winless during a 16-game schedule.

But Millen is renowned for his abilities as a broadcast analyst. So maybe it's no surprise that a month after ESPN hired him to contribute to its NFL and college football telecasts, NFL Network is also inserting Millen into its lineup.

The league's in-house network announced Monday that Millen will replace Cris Collinsworth (who assumed the retired John Madden's job on NBC's Sunday night games) as its analyst on Thursday Night Football. Millen will team with play-by-play man Bob Papa in the booth.

“Matt Millen is one of the best television analysts in the business, and we welcome him back to the booth on Thursday Night Football,” says NFL Network president and CEO Steve Bornstein. “Matt’s candor, knowledge and passion for the NFL, partnered with Bob Papa, make them a very entertaining and informative announcing team.”

wow, just wow

Millen, who played in the NFL for 12 seasons as a linebacker, was a member of four Super Bowl champions with the Raiders, 49ers and Redskins. He will make his NFLN debut November 12 when the 49ers host the Bears. He will also do seven other games for the network while maintaining his role with ESPN.

"I am humbled to be a part of the NFL Network team,” says Millen, who earned acclaim as an analyst while working for CBS and Fox between 1995 and 2000. “It is very exciting to be joining Bob Papa and an outstanding crew of professionals on the Thursday Night Football telecasts.”

 

[domvin]

"I am humbled to be a part of the NFL Network team,” says Millen, who earned acclaim as an analyst while working for CBS and Fox between 1995 and 2000. “It is very exciting to be joining Bob Papa and an outstanding crew of professionals on the Thursday Night Football telecasts.”

Translation:

"I really do not deserve this. I have been a complete fraud. It's comical that I get to ride on Bob Papa's coattails and get a free paycheck. The Thursday Night crew needs to be outstanding to cover up for my lack of credibility and make up for my shortcomings."

 

[Bri]

he used to be good

 

[Da Guru]

Now I think of Millen like I think of myself..I can talk a good game of NFL Football..but I really do not know ####!

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

I know he was a solid analyst but after watching him ruin the Lions, I just can't take the guy seriously.

Not disagreeing with the general concept, but it's not like he took a great franchise with such an exemplary track record of excellence and ran it into the ground.

It is unlikely that any NFL GM for any franchise will ever be able repeat the level of failure that Matt Millen was able to achieve. I can't think of a worse GM in any sport in recent history. Maybe Isaiah Thomas. But many of his failures were as a head coach too. If the Cards can make a Superbowl then the Lions could have done better too with a real GM.

Don't disagree with any of that and maybe I'm just parsing words but can you ruin something that was already pretty crappy to start with?

Um, yeah - you can, and he did. I mean, seriously, are you serious with that?? He put together the WORST NFL TEAM EVER, and it isn't even debatable. Schwartz is the person that your statement would apply to, not Millen. Schwartz can't ruin the franchise because it literally can't be any worse or sink any lower than it was when he took over -- whereas Millen took over a middle of the pack team on the decline and didn't just drive it into the ground... he dug it a giant grave, filled it with raw sewage, set the franchise on fire and threw it into the ground headfirst while pee'ing and spitting on it. Don't poo-poo the impressive level of ineptitude that it took for him to accomplish the historic feat that was last year's Lions team. I'm guessing that you never followed the Lions too closely during the Millen years - because if you had, you'd trust that Lions fans aren't exaggerating when they tell you just how horrible he was. Yes you can ruin a bad team and make it worse than it was, he's absolutely proof of that.

 

[Avery]

I know he was a solid analyst but after watching him ruin the Lions, I just can't take the guy seriously.

Not disagreeing with the general concept, but it's not like he took a great franchise with such an exemplary track record of excellence and ran it into the ground.

It is unlikely that any NFL GM for any franchise will ever be able repeat the level of failure that Matt Millen was able to achieve. I can't think of a worse GM in any sport in recent history. Maybe Isaiah Thomas. But many of his failures were as a head coach too. If the Cards can make a Superbowl then the Lions could have done better too with a real GM.

Don't disagree with any of that and maybe I'm just parsing words but can you ruin something that was already pretty crappy to start with?

Um, yeah - you can, and he did. I mean, seriously, are you serious with that?? He put together the WORST NFL TEAM EVER, and it isn't even debatable. Schwartz is the person that your statement would apply to, not Millen. Schwartz can't ruin the franchise because it literally can't be any worse or sink any lower than it was when he took over -- whereas Millen took over a middle of the pack team on the decline and didn't just drive it into the ground... he dug it a giant grave, filled it with raw sewage, set the franchise on fire and threw it into the ground headfirst while pee'ing and spitting on it. Don't poo-poo the impressive level of ineptitude that it took for him to accomplish the historic feat that was last year's Lions team. I'm guessing that you never followed the Lions too closely during the Millen years - because if you had, you'd trust that Lions fans aren't exaggerating when they tell you just how horrible he was. Yes you can ruin a bad team and make it worse than it was, he's absolutely proof of that.

You might have missed my point but it was such a stupid little point I was making that I can't imagine it matters but for the record, I wasn't defending Millen's historic ineptitude at his job at GM and didn't mean for a second to imply that he didn't make the situation worse in Detroit.As an analogy he drove a beat up jalopy off the cliff, not a shiny Ferrari. In either case the car is worse off.

 

[Ice Cream Man]

I know he was a solid analyst but after watching him ruin the Lions, I just can't take the guy seriously.

Whether or not he is a great analyst, the guy just doesn't have any credibility anymore. The league needs him to disappear for a year or two before resuming his career. I don't see how Millen is a positive for the league in any capacity right now. I would rather see Michal Vick make a comeback than this clown and I really don't like Vick. There are a large number of fans who don't want to see Millen's stupid face or hear his stupid voice. Show them some respect and keep this guy off the air for a least a little while.

+1

 

[Da Guru]

I know he was a solid analyst but after watching him ruin the Lions, I just can't take the guy seriously.

Not disagreeing with the general concept, but it's not like he took a great franchise with such an exemplary track record of excellence and ran it into the ground.

It is unlikely that any NFL GM for any franchise will ever be able repeat the level of failure that Matt Millen was able to achieve. I can't think of a worse GM in any sport in recent history. Maybe Isaiah Thomas. But many of his failures were as a head coach too. If the Cards can make a Superbowl then the Lions could have done better too with a real GM.

Don't disagree with any of that and maybe I'm just parsing words but can you ruin something that was already pretty crappy to start with?

Um, yeah - you can, and he did. I mean, seriously, are you serious with that?? He put together the WORST NFL TEAM EVER, and it isn't even debatable. Schwartz is the person that your statement would apply to, not Millen. Schwartz can't ruin the franchise because it literally can't be any worse or sink any lower than it was when he took over -- whereas Millen took over a middle of the pack team on the decline and didn't just drive it into the ground... he dug it a giant grave, filled it with raw sewage, set the franchise on fire and threw it into the ground headfirst while pee'ing and spitting on it. Don't poo-poo the impressive level of ineptitude that it took for him to accomplish the historic feat that was last year's Lions team. I'm guessing that you never followed the Lions too closely during the Millen years - because if you had, you'd trust that Lions fans aren't exaggerating when they tell you just how horrible he was. Yes you can ruin a bad team and make it worse than it was, he's absolutely proof of that.

Millen took over a team that went 9-7 the year before he arrived and missed the playoffs because Paul Edinger made a 54 yard FG.

 

[beee]

My favorite NFL announcing team of all time was Howard David and Matt Millen calling MNF games on radio back in the 1990s. My friends and I all agreed they were very entertaining.

 

[beee]

Just a thought here, but why don't Lions fans have more hate for ownership that hired a gifted radio analyst to run their organization when he really doesn't have the resume for that job? And why did they give him such a long leash?

 

[fissure man]

My favorite NFL announcing team of all time was Howard David and Matt Millen calling MNF games on radio back in the 1990s. My friends and I all agreed they were very entertaining.

Most of the responses in this thread read as if most people don't remember him prior to the Detroit thing.When I think of Matt Millen, I remember a pretty good LB for the Raiders, Niners, and Redskins. He's got a few rings too. Then I remember him being pretty solid on TV. The whole Detroit thing got comical after a few years and I haven't really paid it any mind. It was sort of expected. Detroit has almost always sucked, and will continue so until there is new ownership.

 

[Addai's Adidas]

He was such a jerk though. Calling a fan favorite Johnny Morton a derogatory term for gay man after he went to KC, never moving to Detroit - just flying in from Pennsylvania, riding around on his Harley with Mornigwheg. He just never really cared about the city or the fans.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Just a thought here, but why don't Lions fans have more hate for ownership that hired a gifted radio analyst to run their organization when he really doesn't have the resume for that job? And why did they give him such a long leash?

I think they hate WCF even more for what he's done to this franchise.

 

[blend]

Seriously, how can anyone take his comments for how to build a team seriously? How many times will we hear him say that Team X has really built their team the right way. How would he even have a clue.

If he's only going to talk about X's and O's... so be it, but if he talks about Free Agency or Draft or Building a team, there should be a disclaimer placed on the TV (similar to what the detroit station did during his NBC interview) stating that this buffoon knows not of what he speaks.

 

[Swampy]

I know he was a solid analyst but after watching him ruin the Lions, I just can't take the guy seriously.

Whether or not he is a great analyst, the guy just doesn't have any credibility anymore. The league needs him to disappear for a year or two before resuming his career. I don't see how Millen is a positive for the league in any capacity right now. I would rather see Michal Vick make a comeback than this clown and I really don't like Vick. There are a large number of fans who don't want to see Millen's stupid face or hear his stupid voice. Show them some respect and keep this guy off the air for a least a little while.

Are you serious???? Vick makes me barf up chunks, Millen just makes me barf.....

 

[Leroy Hoard]

It is unlikely that any NFL GM for any franchise will ever be able repeat the level of failure that Matt Millen was able to achieve. I can't think of a worse GM in any sport in recent history.

 

[joffer]

good choice. he's great in the booth.

 

[CalBear]

Millen took over a team that went 9-7 the year before he arrived and missed the playoffs because Paul Edinger made a 54 yard FG.

The team went 2-14 in his first year as GM; how much can a GM destroy a team in one year?The problem in Detroit is the ownership. Millen sucked, sure, but the anger should be directed higher up.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Millen took over a team that went 9-7 the year before he arrived and missed the playoffs because Paul Edinger made a 54 yard FG.

The team went 2-14 in his first year as GM; how much can a GM destroy a team in one year?The problem in Detroit is the ownership. Millen sucked, sure, but the anger should be directed higher up.

Hmmm...interesting,what was his team's record his last year in charge? hmmm?? He sure knows the best way to build a viable franchise doesn't he. Can't wait to listen to his expertise on the subject.... WCF was the enabler. Ran a totally hands off ship and let Millen do whatever he wanted. Millen was totally in over his head and took advantage of WCF being so blindly loyal.

 

[CalBear]

Millen took over a team that went 9-7 the year before he arrived and missed the playoffs because Paul Edinger made a 54 yard FG.

The team went 2-14 in his first year as GM; how much can a GM destroy a team in one year?The problem in Detroit is the ownership. Millen sucked, sure, but the anger should be directed higher up.

Hmmm...interesting,what was his team's record his last year in charge? hmmm?? He sure knows the best way to build a viable franchise doesn't he. Can't wait to listen to his expertise on the subject....

Actually, the team's record his last full year in charge was 7-9.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Millen took over a team that went 9-7 the year before he arrived and missed the playoffs because Paul Edinger made a 54 yard FG.

The team went 2-14 in his first year as GM; how much can a GM destroy a team in one year?The problem in Detroit is the ownership. Millen sucked, sure, but the anger should be directed higher up.

Hmmm...interesting,what was his team's record his last year in charge? hmmm?? He sure knows the best way to build a viable franchise doesn't he. Can't wait to listen to his expertise on the subject....

Actually, the team's record his last full year in charge was 7-9.

thanks for making my point.

 

[blend]

Actually, the team's record his last full year in charge was 7-9.

Don't even attempt not to pin 0-16 on him. Millen earned that legacy with years and years of missteps. Can't take that away from him on a technicality.

 

[drummer]

I never, ever want to hear Terry Donahue's voice ever again.

Ever.

 

[PewterFan]

good choice. he's great in the booth.

As long as he stays away from my team's front office, we're okay.

 

[blend]

Good article by Cotsonika in the Freep about Millen: http://www.freep.com/article/20090617/SPOR...90617061/?imw=Y

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Good article by Cotsonika in the Freep about Millen: http://www.freep.com/article/20090617/SPOR...90617061/?imw=Y

This guy is the biggest doosh.

 

[domvin]

Most of the blame is on Millen, but NFLN deserves some blame here too. LOL, Where's the Rooney Rule in this search?

Wilcots(very good), Faulk(solid), Deion(tolerable) are all guys I'd rather listen to this CLOWN.

Instead of Millen, Id take even Beasley Reece.-"It's 4th down and the length to go is about the size of a small child."