I grew up a Detroit fan as the son of a fellow gluten for heartbreak, himself the son of a very lucky man. Someone who actually had coherent memories of when the Lions won three World Championships in the 1950's. Memories of Bobby Lane, and of our beloved teams glory days. What changed from fifty some years ago?

The answer is ownership. You want to cure Detroit of it's pathetic, misused offense, and it's anemic, misguided defense. You have to get the players to man the positions. When there are four or five top quarterback free agents, and the draft in the market, and out of Dante Culpepper, Drew Brees, Aaron Brooks, Matt Leinart, and Jay Cutler we come away with Jon Kitna, and Josh McCown? When you burn three top ten draft picks in a row on the same position. Don't get me wrong that error brought us Roy, and as the lone glimmer of stardom on the team I would never speak ill of the man who will someday get paid $50-$70 million from a close rival. The fact is when you have a Conservative convalescent owner who flat will not pay the kind of money it takes to lock up the elite players in the NFL. Forget about all the mistakes made in the draft, and think when the last time we got a big name free agent? I'll just tell you, Dre' Bly who for a shutdown corner was still not paid what he was worth.

In todays NFL it is absolutely essential to have key positions filled with play makers. In order to get them you have to outbid the other guys, who if you think about it are actually attempting the same thing you are trying to turn an average team into a contender. I know what your thinking, "But New England won 3 Superbowl with no superstars." No...they didn't Tom Brady, Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi, are all elite players, and the real star power on there superbowl teams was with the coaches Belichek, Crennel, ane Weis are the greatest coaching team in the history of the NFL. And the Patriots owner knew to pay them all the money it would take to keep them as long as he could, and what did he do when they started to feel positions needed upgrading? Went out and won the bidding war for Corey Dillon, and won two more championships.

Why God, why oh why will the Fords not do that? Why do they insist on signing players like TJ Duckett, and with wide receivers out there like Stallworth, McCardell, and Calvin Johnson in the draft we throw $30+ million at Mike Furrey. Mike Furrey, a guy who was playing defense, and had one descent year, and we're willing to pay, WHY? The truth is maybe they have a reason to be weary with blunders like Charles Rogers, and Scott Mitchell looming like dark thundering clouds waiting to strike. However, you have to still be able to pull the trigger when you see players like Leinart, and Brees out there you have to be willing to pay them the money it takes for them to take your team to the next level.

In closing I feel todays game is to fast paced, and media driven for older owners in general, it's not William's fault it's a young man's game, someone with the passion, and the drive to get the talent that will advance your teams game. With any other owner in the League Millen would have been gone three years ago. However, the worst GM in the history of the NFL is amongst the top 5 in salaries, and also act passive when dealing with players. You want to win in Detroit pull the trigger look at the Pistons, and Sheed, Wings and Chelios, and the Tigers and Sheffield each paid top dollar for elite talent, and each have, or are about to win a championship. Count It!

Learn more about this author, Terry Coombe.
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