(ALLEN PARK, MI)--Matt Millen is slowly but surely becoming a total embarrassment to the
Ford family and the Detroit Lions organization.
Millen, the hand-picked "football guy" of the Ford family to run their
organization, can't seem to keep his mouth shut or stay away from controversy.
Friday, on a syndicated talk show in Chicago, Millen called a player on the Lions
defense, a "devout coward" and asked about the player "where are your
testicles?"
Millen's disgusting remarks came as a reaction to a comment by out-of-work former
Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints coach Mike Ditka who said of players who don't tackle
opposing players, "I don't think it's a lack of talent, I think it's a lack of
courage."
Millen responded, "I have a guy right now who I believe is a devout coward."
Milen continued to Ditka; "Mike, and he's the greatest practice player you've ever
seen. And he did a couple of things today in practice and I just wanted to grab him by the
throat and choke him. And you get into the game and it's like 'where are your
testicles.'"
Speculation centers around Chris Claiborne as the guy Millen allegedly wanted to choke.
Millen actually took the cowardly way out himself by not naming the player. If the player
doesn't make the plays, why is he on the roster? Millen is in total control of the roster
and can release any player he sees fit.
Millen attempted to replace Claiborne earlier in the season by signing former Oakland
Raiders middle linebacker Greg Biekert. Biekert rebuffed Millen's overtures and signed
with the Minnesota Vikings.
The question is; Who's the real coward here? What is Millen trying to prove?
Is Millen trying to relieve himself of the blame for the Lions 3-16 win-loss mark under
his regime? It won't work. Millen is entirely at fault for numerous personnel decisions
that have backfired and left the Lions with millions in 'dead money' and devoid of talent.
By "yukking" it up with a former Super Bowl winning coach in Ditka is he
trying to make himself look good at the expense of his players?
Reaction was reportedly mixed in the Lions locker room after word of Millen's remarks
spread like wildfire. Millen's remarks were the lead on ESPN News network. None of the
players wanted to go on the record, but some were incensed at Millen's remarks, other
simply shrugged it off with "that's Matt for you."
But there's no question that Matt Millen was the one who acted like the coward today.
The Ford family deserves better. Millen's inexperience in handling players, the salary
cap and personnel matters, combined with his incessant mouthing off, have hurt the
reputation of the Ford family as their representative in NFL circles.
The sooner Millen learns to shut his mouth, the better.