For as far back as I can remember, the Detroit Lions have always been considered one of the laughing stocks of the NFL. whether it be draft choices gone horribly wrong, or signing free agents that are washed up or a bad fit for the team, it seems like the the Lions can do no right. I mean, this is the team that had Barry Sanders, arguably the greatest running back of all time, and still couldn't muster a winning campaign.

It seemed that all of that would change this season, though. With quarterback Jon Kitna predicting the team would go 10-6, naturally people thought he was foolish or intoxicated. But after a 6-2 start, it seemed like if the football thing didn't work out, Kitna could always be a prophet. Alas, regressing back to the Lions of old, they finished the season 8-8, and missed the playoffs for yet another year.

Much like at the end of every losing year, team officials and fans start looking for someone to blame, and ways to make the team better. It can be very hard to pinpoint the exact reason of failure for any team. But for this team of all its failure can be easily atributed to one man- general manager Matt Millien.

Throughout his tenure, Millien has always been known to be a poor talent evaluator. With him, if it's not hiring a string of uninspiring and under prepared coaches, it it him ruinning yet another draft class. It seems like every year, he wastes yet another first round draft pick on a wide receiver they don't need, who either winds up being a bust, or just sitting on the bench all year. All this team really needs is a new GM. If they had one who is able to draft or sign a player that actually fits their needs-for example, a cornerback to help with their terrible pass defense, or a offensive lineman because they have a "line" that is always giving up the most sacks and looks like they don't know how to protect a quarterback for more than 2 seconds- this team actually has enough talent to make the playoffs.

Although the Lions always have been (and might always will be) a joke in the league, there is hope. They have enough young players to build a franchise around on both offense (Calvin Johnson, Roy Williams, Kevin Jones) and defense (Ernie Simms, Boss Bailey, and Shaun Rogers), but all they need to do is make some, or very specifically one, key front office personnel changes. So as you van see, much like with every problem in the world, it all is Matt Millien's fault.

Learn more about this author, Tyrone Biggums.
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