racosun
09-23-2008, 10:28 AM
According to freep.com, Lions VP Bill Ford Jr., who also happens to be the owner's and chairman's son, said he'd axe GM Matt Millen...if only he had the power to do so. Until (and if) that happens, Lions fans can only dream and hope.
By Tom Walsh, 9/22/08
Detroit Free Press
What did Bill Ford Jr. say about Matt Millen and when did he say it? Here’s what happened after a Detroit Economic Club luncheon at Cobo Center on Monday.
Ford and three newspaper reporters were walking from a Cobo ballroom to a smaller room for a news conference. A reporter asked Ford what he thought of the Lions’ performance Sunday, a 31-13 loss at San Francisco.
Ford’s first response was to ask if his response would be on or off the record, but Ford then said he wanted it to be on the record.
"It was an embarrassment," he said. "The fans deserve better. And if I had the authority, I would have fired the general manager."
Millen’s exact title is president and CEO.
About 15 minutes later, in front of a larger crowd of reporters, Ford was peppered with more Lions-related questions.
"It’s been disappointing," he said then. "I think the fans deserve better. And if it were in my authority, which it’s not, I’d make some significant changes."
Ford was asked if he believed Millen should leave the team.
"Uh, yes, I do," Ford said.
You believe Millen should leave?
"I’ve said what I’m going to say."
William Clay Ford Sr., meanwhile, last spoke to reporters publicly about Millen in July 2007, during Lions training camp. The group interview was his first since training camp in 2005, when he announced a five-year contract extension for Millen.
Last year, Ford Sr. said Millen’s job had never been in jeopardy, despite even with Millen’s poor record since being hired in 2001.
Millen, 50, is signed through 2010.
By Tom Walsh, 9/22/08
Detroit Free Press
What did Bill Ford Jr. say about Matt Millen and when did he say it? Here’s what happened after a Detroit Economic Club luncheon at Cobo Center on Monday.
Ford and three newspaper reporters were walking from a Cobo ballroom to a smaller room for a news conference. A reporter asked Ford what he thought of the Lions’ performance Sunday, a 31-13 loss at San Francisco.
Ford’s first response was to ask if his response would be on or off the record, but Ford then said he wanted it to be on the record.
"It was an embarrassment," he said. "The fans deserve better. And if I had the authority, I would have fired the general manager."
Millen’s exact title is president and CEO.
About 15 minutes later, in front of a larger crowd of reporters, Ford was peppered with more Lions-related questions.
"It’s been disappointing," he said then. "I think the fans deserve better. And if it were in my authority, which it’s not, I’d make some significant changes."
Ford was asked if he believed Millen should leave the team.
"Uh, yes, I do," Ford said.
You believe Millen should leave?
"I’ve said what I’m going to say."
William Clay Ford Sr., meanwhile, last spoke to reporters publicly about Millen in July 2007, during Lions training camp. The group interview was his first since training camp in 2005, when he announced a five-year contract extension for Millen.
Last year, Ford Sr. said Millen’s job had never been in jeopardy, despite even with Millen’s poor record since being hired in 2001.
Millen, 50, is signed through 2010.