NFL to Millen (1 Viewer)

[mchaps55]

The NFL said the Dolphins were within their rights to discuss contract terms with quarterback Joey Harrington once Detroit gave Harrington permission to seek a trade.That comes in response to complaints by Lions president Matt Millen that the Dolphins went outside the boundaries of the collective bargaining agreement in working out the parameters of a two-year deal.However, it appears Millen was mistaken.''Yes, a player is allowed to talk about a contract with another team in that situation,'' league spokesman Greg Aiello said after asking the NFL Management Council for clarification. 

Millen's comments came Sunday after a possible trade of Harrington to Cleveland didn't materialize because Harrington refused to restructure his contract. On April 20, Harrington publicly said he was looking forward to playing for the Dolphins, an indication he has no intention of reworking his contract for another team. Harrington has a $4 million roster bonus due June 15 to go with his base salary.Millen, who was demanding a fourth-round pick from the Dolphins for Harrington, has become frustrated with that situation. The Dolphins are offering a sixth-round pick in 2007 for Harrington, and a team source said that was as far as the team would go; if necessary, the Dolphins would wait for Harrington to be cut to sign him.''I think that's a [salary] cap violation,'' Millen said. ``You can't talk about a contract. . . . I'm giving them permission to talk to him and get to know the kid.''

 

[Horses Mouth]

funny.

 

[aardball44]

Drew Sharp of the Free Press rips into Millen's first round pick.

The Lions blew it.

It's officially the 1,435th time we've reached that diagnosis in the last 45 years, a reflexive response as consistent as a sunrise.

Rod Marinelli concluded his first draft as the Lions' head coach Sunday hopeful that he attained the objectives on his shopping list -- improved physicality on both sides of the ball with a more aggressive mind-set.

But it's unfortunate that the front office lacked the guts that they're demanding from their new acquisitions.

The issue isn't that they used the ninth pick for someone with a history of head trauma that might make Eric Lindros weak in the knees, or that they didn't use it on a potentially game-changing quarterback who conveniently fell into their laps.

The issue is that they didn't get maximum value out of that selection.

Marinelli and Matt Millen committed draft day's worst sin. You never fall so deeply in love with one prospect that it blinds you from common sense. You have to react to a draft's shifting dynamics. And now, like it or not, Marinelli's tenure as Lions head coach will be largely defined by the fate of a spirited yet undersized linebacker with a history of five concussions.

You hope Ernie Sims proves the doubters wrong, if for nothing else than you never wish a young man's career dreams are prematurely extinguished due to medical issues. But the concerns are legitimate in a sport that attracts violent collisions and a team notorious for instinctively taking the wrong road.

There's more pressure on Sims than any other first-round draft choice during the Millen era, even more so than Joey Harrington. There must be immediate impact. He's already penciled in as the starting weak-side linebacker.

But the Lions froze on this one.

The opportunities were there to move down, gain an additional mid-level draft pick and quite possibly still get the player the Lions' initially targeted. But that required the Lions taking USC quarterback Matt Leinart at No. 9 to move him elsewhere.

And the most receptive suitor just might have been Arizona at No. 10.

Amid their euphoria over getting Leinart, the Cardinals suggested that they would have taken Sims at No. 10 if Leinart weren't available. Maybe they're blowing smoke. But if they had, wouldn't that have created the opportunity for the Lions to deal down and get their guy while also adding some much-needed positional depth with an extra draft pick?

If this were a poker game, Millen was playing at the penny table.

He didn't dismiss the possibilities of taking a quarterback ninth overall at the pre-draft media briefing. It was classic disinformation straight out of the Iraqi foreign ministry handbook. It was intended to send a message to prospective suitors that if they wanted Leinart badly enough to move up to No. 9, they had better bring it -- sorry, Wings' fans, that just slipped out -- with the trade offers.

But nobody bought it.

The phones rang off the hook with the Lions on the clock, but there were no takers.

Why give in to the Lions' requests if you don't think they have the guts to take Leinart at No. 9?

Why give them anything? Just let them hang themselves from their own rope.

That's apparently Miami's strategy in Harrington's long good-bye out of Detroit.

Unable to sell the Dolphins on sweetening their trade offer (a 2007 sixth-round draft choice) for their former designated savior, the Lions threatened to move Harrington to Cleveland this weekend for a possible fifth-rounder this year. But the Browns understandably balked after Harrington's reticence about going to Cleveland. And now, there's a possibility that the Dolphins will remove the offer from the table and wait for the Lions to release Harrington in June just before he's due a $4-million roster bonus.

So the Lions will probably get nothing for Harrington.

It figures. But that's usually the safest approach with the Lions. Just wait them out and they'll inevitably back down.

The concussions worry me, too...



...but Sharp is a tool.

 

[cstu]

Did the Lions pass on Leinart because Harrington was a bust?

 

[trader jake]

Did the Lions pass on Leinart because Harrington was a bust?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

[CharlesRoyKevin]

Not to defend Millen, but Sharp is an idiot. He has no idea usually. Screw Joey, he should have just shut his mouth and let the Lions get something for him if they could. After the horrible job he did as QB, and the Lions patience with him, it was the least he could do.

 

[T Man]

Not to defend Millen, but Sharp is an idiot. He has no idea usually.  Screw Joey, he should have just shut his mouth and let the Lions get something for him if they could.  After the horrible job he did as QB, and the Lions patience with him, it was the least he could do.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

While I agree that Joey sucked it up in Detroit, the theory that he should appease the Lions and screw over his potential new team is ridiculous. He is trying to please Saban so that he gets the same extended chance in Miami. He knows that Detroit is saying bye.But I have two questions:

1. Will the Lions just wait it out and cut him the day before his bonus is due, or will they cave? I hope they wait this out and cut him the day before. Joey without much tiime learning the system in Miami is of little value this year.

2. Why would Joey pass on Cleveland? If he goes to Cleveland, it is likely that they trade Dilfer. That leaves Joey versus Charlie Frye. If Joey does not have enough faith that he can beat out Charlie Frye, well then . . .

Does he just want to be a backup. Clearly Cleveland offers a better long term opportunity and the better chance to start the season.

 

[trader jake]

two things:

1) why would joey give a rip if the lions get anything for him? (especially at the expense of his new team)

2) why would joey choose to play in cleveland over miami? look at the offensive weapons on each team and tell me what team you would rather play for. (not to mention no state income tax, beautiful weather, and a much better team in miami)

 

[Spartans Rule]

two things:

1) why would joey give a rip if the lions get anything for him?  (especially at the expense of his new team)

2) why would joey choose to play in cleveland over miami?  look at the offensive weapons on each team and tell me what team you would rather play for.  (not to mention no state income tax, beautiful weather, and a much better team in miami)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After spending so much time in a bad situation in Detroit, Harrington is probably more concerned with playing for a winner and having some talent to work with than playing time.

 

[T Man]

2) why would joey choose to play in cleveland over miami? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1) longterm opportunities2) no established veteran QB

3) playing time

I agree that Miami is a better team at this juncture. I also agree that the no state income tax is attractive (I assume Ohio has one), and it is a nicer climate.

BUT . . Miami invested a 2 in Culpepper. If he can play, he will. Plus, Joey may not get any time more than training camp to move ahead of Rosenfels and Clemons - no guarantee if you've seen Joey play.

Unless Saban told him that Culpepper won't be back this year and he get's a year to prove himself as a starter to make big money, going to Cleveland and learning the system and beating out Frye may prove to be the better long term opportunity. He's still young, and if he proves to be better then Frye, CLeveland may make the commitment to him.

 

[Yoda of the JediKnights]

The NFL said the Dolphins were within their rights to discuss contract terms with quarterback Joey Harrington once Detroit gave Harrington permission to seek a trade.

That comes in response to complaints by Lions president Matt Millen that the Dolphins went outside the boundaries of the collective bargaining agreement in working out the parameters of a two-year deal.

However, it appears Millen was mistaken.

''Yes, a player is allowed to talk about a contract with another team in that situation,'' league spokesman Greg Aiello said after asking the NFL Management Council for clarification. 

Millen's comments came Sunday after a possible trade of Harrington to Cleveland didn't materialize because Harrington refused to restructure his contract. On April 20, Harrington publicly said he was looking forward to playing for the Dolphins, an indication he has no intention of reworking his contract for another team. Harrington has a $4 million roster bonus due June 15 to go with his base salary.

Millen, who was demanding a fourth-round pick from the Dolphins for Harrington, has become frustrated with that situation. The Dolphins are offering a sixth-round pick in 2007 for Harrington, and a team source said that was as far as the team would go; if necessary, the Dolphins would wait for Harrington to be cut to sign him.

''I think that's a [salary] cap violation,'' Millen said. ``You can't talk about a contract. . . . I'm giving them permission to talk to him and get to know the kid.''

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dualistic, Non-Dualistic...Fantasy Football's projections on QB's, RB's, and WR's production Time-Lines. We're talking at least 5 years for QB's here, at least 3 years for WR's, maybe just 1 year for a RB (think RB Holmes and Alexander here), and the Detroit Lions drafting Joey @ 1.03 in 2002. Detroit gave up on Joey, after basically crippling him for 4 years, and then cuts him before realizing that he had value in the NFL.

If humble and gentle me had ever had a cell-mate like Matt Millen, i would've never left Prison...simple as that. i'm talking 250-PLUS cig packs-a-day for such a fine Punk as Mattie, as 'her' Pimp. Year 5 rolls around, and my Ms. Mattie makes my point...so to speak gently about the weaknesses of my Ms. Mattie.

Scheesh...now, we watch Ms. Mattie cry...a *LOT*...Scheesh!!!

Enough said,

Yoda

Former Prison Pimp

 

[SoloMatisse]

look up the word "boob" in the dictionary, and you'll find a picture of a Lions' fan......holding a "FIRE MILLEN" poster......would someone slip some viagra in WCFord's metamucil already so he'll perk up and get rid of the guy already??......

 

[ooofffaaa]

[ESPN] From John Clayton's latest blog:

After the Lions tried to get the best of the Dolphins by threatening to trade Joey Harrington to Cleveland, the Dolphins are turning the heat up on the Lions. They've pulled their offer of a sixth-round choice in 2007 for Harrington. Instead, they will wait until he is cut.

The Lions complained to the NFL that Harrington had a deal with the Dolphins, but he was given permission to seek a trade and work out a new contract to fit under the cap.

The Lions hoped for the Browns to bail them out by trading them a fourth- or fifth-round choice Sunday. The Browns changed their minds when Harrington said he was going to Miami. If the Lions don't cut Harrington by June 15, they owe him a $4 million roster bonus.

The only thing Harrington could do to speed up the process is show up at the Lions facility and try to practice.

 

[Hendo]

Sharp is the biggest tool of a writer i ever seen really...

so since thats exactly what Millen did LAST years draft with Mike Williams he should of done the EXACT same thing this year?

they have 2 QB's the just signed in the offseason that they dont know what they have with yet.

and Sims headcase in all was a great pick for them, he will undeniably put up impact stats right away over what Leinart would of done.

some people i just dont know how in the world they get a job like he has with the mentality level of an onion when it comes to football.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

If humble and gentle me had ever had a cell-mate like Matt Millen, i would've never left Prison...simple as that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

[cstu]

2) why would joey choose to play in cleveland over miami? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1) longterm opportunities2) no established veteran QB

3) playing time

I agree that Miami is a better team at this juncture. I also agree that the no state income tax is attractive (I assume Ohio has one), and it is a nicer climate.

BUT . . Miami invested a 2 in Culpepper. If he can play, he will. Plus, Joey may not get any time more than training camp to move ahead of Rosenfels and Clemons - no guarantee if you've seen Joey play.

Unless Saban told him that Culpepper won't be back this year and he get's a year to prove himself as a starter to make big money, going to Cleveland and learning the system and beating out Frye may prove to be the better long term opportunity. He's still young, and if he proves to be better then Frye, CLeveland may make the commitment to him.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Didn't Sage sign with the Texans?

 

[cstu]

I'm in the minority but I think Millen is moving the team in the right direction. Things didn't/haven't worked out with Harrington and Rogers, but they still have a good core of offensive players. The Lions finally brought in a real coach and have the best OC in the business.

 

[Texasmouth]

Maybe the problem was the Lions and not Harrington. Maybe not, just throwing it out there. The Lions supposidly brought in these great receivers for Harrington but they have a solid guy in Roy Williams but he is often injured and runs sloppy routes when he is healthy (well documented from his time in Texas as well). Mike Williams is a total bust and will probably end up a tight end. Let's not even get into Charles Rogers. So where are all these weapons? Kevin Jones? Completely over rated. Not to mention the Lions offensive line sucks bad. The lions have been garbage and it is really easy to pin it all on harrington but I think he was just a piece of the problem. Matt Millen is the problem. He is an idiot and has no bussiness working in anyone's front office.

Maybe we could put together an all star cast of garbage: Matt Millen as the General Manager, Mike Tice as offensive coordinator and Jim Haslett can run the defense.

 

[Tommy Collins]

The man conducts his drafts like a Yahoo Fantasy Football League.

 

[Irish]

The Lions and their fans should worry more about the effect of the concussions that Millen suffered during his playing days.

 

[LHUCKS]

Maybe we could put together an all star cast of garbage: Matt Millen as the General Manager, Mike Tice as offensive coordinator and Jim Haslett can run the defense.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wonder what the combined Wonderlic is here?

 

[Tommy Collins]

Maybe we could put together an all star cast of garbage: Matt Millen as the General Manager, Mike Tice as offensive coordinator and Jim Haslett can run the defense.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can Michael Irvin be the scout? Because after all, you dont need defense!

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Maybe we could put together an all star cast of garbage: Matt Millen as the General Manager, Mike Tice as offensive coordinator and Jim Haslett can run the defense.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wonder what the combined Wonderlic is here?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

-10

 

[JAA]

never ceases to amaze me

 

[Texasmouth]

Maybe we could put together an all star cast of garbage: Matt Millen as the General Manager, Mike Tice as offensive coordinator and Jim Haslett can run the defense.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can Michael Irvin be the scout? Because after all, you dont need defense!
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He can be the public affairs director......

 

[ILoveMyLions]

1.  Will the Lions just wait it out and cut him the day before his bonus is due, or will they cave?  I hope they wait this out and cut him the day before.  Joey without much tiime learning the system in Miami is of little value this year.

This is exactly what the Lions should do. Screw him over as much as possible the way he screwed up the negotiations process with other teams. Then, be on your way...