OT: Death of a Professional Sports Franchise.

Dead? They're one loss away from immortality. Ford has achieved something that will stand the test of time.

In fairness, the Lions will still be looking for a new GM. Keeping Mayhew as a junior-exec might be wise because he is considered by many in the league one of the bright up and coming front office guys, although, yes, he was around during Millen years, and there is a strong case to be made for getting rid of anyone associated with that. Since he started running things, Mayhew orchestrated the Roy Williams trade, which I think everyone agrees was a good move, brought in Culpepper (meh), and got Kitna out of the picture (necessary). As far as Lewand, he is not involved in personnel decisions beyond being a cap advisor and contract negotiator. He's more like an accountant. He also holds three Michigan degrees.

I put the blame on Ford himself. Top to bottom, that organization is seriously lacking something. I cannot tell exactly the breadth and scope of it all, but clearly the failure of the organization is beyond Millen's individual incompetence. To look at the proximal causes (Millen's shite drafting prowess) and say that is to blame instead of the further upstream cause (counterproductive organizational culture and structure) is like blaming the financial collapse on the subprime lending bubble instead of the fact that with a fractional-reserve system of banking, financial busts are matter-of-course. Back to topic: there is a failure within the Lions to evaluate talent. There are other serious issues, as well, but this one is clear. Millen obviously couldn't do it with his draft/coaching picks, but the Fords couldn't do it when selecting Miller, either. Many other examples exist since the Fords took over. Just wanted to make my pointy-headed point.

If we're passing around blame, let's not omit Rod Marinelli. He's a big part of the problem; just completely ineffective. Anyone could see it coming in that first conference when he stepped away from the podium to demonstrate proper blocking technique. Didn't exactly inspire confidence that this guy was a great mind. Don't get me wrong-- dude was a great D-Line coach in Tampa. But some position coaches just aren't cut out for the head man jobs. And all these old Tampa players they signed... ugh. I think he had a big part in that. To summarize, I just think you're barking up the wrong tree when you proclaim the 'Death of the Franchise' when they decide to keep Lewand and Mayhew. Millen and Marinelli were the real villains, in my opinon, and they're still going to bring someone in, I think... I hope...

To anyone paying attention over the last 40 years, this decision should come as no surprise. Ford has always chosen bean counters over football people to run the Lions — in the late 90s, the Lions brought Jerry Vainisi (who had been an essential part of building the Ditka-era Bears) into the front office, but eventually Vainisi was pushed out in favor of Chuck Schmidt, a financial guy. This is the pattern Ford established from the beginning of his ownership, and it's paid off handsomely. Under Ford, the Lions have put a consistently crappy product on the field, and still idiots show up 50,000+ strong at every home game, clutching their Lions pennants and wearing their #20 jerseys. Every Lions fan who transfers more than a nickel from his pocket to Ford's is every bit as culpable as someone who buys a drink for an alcoholic, because it's the fan's continuing support that enables Ford to continue owning the Lions. If only 10,000 showed up at games, eventually the NFL front office would have to step in because it's not in its best financial interests to have an obviously dying franchise in a major TV market. I'm old enough to have been a fan of the pre-Ford Lions as a kid in the early 60s, when the Lions were right behind the Packers in the NFL of that time. Henry Ford II gave his drunk incompetent brother Billy Sr. the money to buy the Lions as a sop for not being allowed anywhere near Ford Motor Company, and with just a very few isolated years in that span as exceptions, the Lions have been manifestly incompetent. Ford wouldn't be able to recognize competence if his life depended on it, and don't deceive yourself that Billy Jr. is any different—it was he who pushed the idea of Millen as GM in the first place. They're a family of incompetents, and unless and until they sell the franchise this is what you're going to see. I root for the Bears now.

I'm surprised anyone is really worked up about this. It's the Lions we're talking about. They should be followed for pure entertainment purposes only.

I guess my larger point is this: Changes are being made. Despite what Mike Florio (never heard of him) may write, the Lions are in fact headed in a different direction. Marinelli, Millen, Kitna, Roy, Brian Kelly, Shaun Rogers, and more are gone. This year's draft, in which the Lions not only hold the #1 pick but also several low-round selections (even more if they trade the first pick), could be a turning point. There will likely be a front-office addition. Mayhew may be a gem-- no one can say either way. I'm not willing to write off the future, because to paraphrase Joe Strummer, the future remains unwritten. I'm excited to see what the Lions will do now that the worst is behind them... kinda the same optimism I feel for the Rodriguez-led Wolverines. Glass half full and whatnot.

If a McDonald's franchise were making turd burgers, corporate would step in and shut them down. The Lions have been taking a steaming one on the field for 45 years. The trouble with the McD analogy is that the NFL is such a golden goose that even the most inept organizations like the Lions are profitable. The NFL should have a policy. Debate about the specifics, but after a certain defined period of incompetance, the owner should be forced to sell and the team given an expansion draft. You can't have just the draft. Ford and co. would screw that up. Look at the successes of the teams that have formed in the last 35 yrs. I believe they have all at least been to the Super Bowl. Either move this team or force a sale.

I will dispel all naivete with a simple wave of the hand: The ultimate problem with the Lions is from the Ford family. End of discussion in that regard. What, then, is the solution? I propose a rather unorthodox though -- to be sure -- effective solution. Here it is. Detroit has a new mayor looking to establish himself in the community as well as rebuild the mess Kwame left behind. The Fords have turned one of the great institutions of Detroit into a laughingstock and painful embarrassment. Therefore: The City of Detroit should acquire the Lions using eminent domain. This will solve many problems the city faces. Cue the hummingbirds, sunshine, and pastoral music

http://www.freep.com/article/20081221/COL01/81221043/1048/sports "William Clay Ford Sr., with the garbage product he disguises as a football team, actually said he wanted his two-headed front-office team to RETURN next year?" "Ford wins the prize. He is the worst. He is the biggest problem in this franchise and easily the most maddening. The fact he can contemplate returning anybody or anything from what already has tied the worst single-season losing streak in NFL history is incomprehensible." The Lions are (presumably) last in attendance. I say presumably because the stats ESPN has doesn't have data for the Broncos or 49'ers. I'm impressed at how close the numbers are, though. So, why would the NFL want to do anything? The Lions are still making their number, so everyone (except the fans) is happy. I've enjoyed watching the Lions explode over the last two decades, and every time it's obvious that the problem lies further up the chain. It was obvious that whoever hired Millen was an idiot, and that idiot has been in charge since 1964. I won't cheer for the Lions again until 1. Ford steps down or abdicates his control and 2. (dreaming) they play in their throwback uniforms full time.

bump for Oh and 16