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Dear Matt: When I heard the news yesterday I was shocked... I mean I heard Bill Ford Jr. running his mouth about how he would fire you if he had the authority but I didn't think this moment would come so soon. I'm devastated. I mean what business do they have firing a 4 time superbowl winner (raiders, redskins and 49ers), a successful broadcaster and in my humble opinion one of the best non-packer general managers in the NFL. . . In 2001 one you left a cushy job as an NFL broadcaster to assume the position as Lions CEO. You made a splash right away. Since taking the job, your team has posted a stellar 31-84 record and did not put together a single winning season. During your reign there was a 3 year span where the Lions did not secure a road victory.... not a single one (0-24). The road woes do not stop there..... the lions have posted a pitiful 8-50 road record over the last 7 seasons. You know Matt, sometimes you just hit a bad stretch in football and there isn't much you can do about it. Generally, when a team has a terrible season (or 7) like the Detroit lions of the new millennium, they receive high draft picks in order to secure the best young players and eventually are able to rebuild their franchise. This system works flawlessly under one condition: the general manager must identify and draft the best talent available. In my opinion you have done this admirably. Lets recap each of the drafts during your reign and see how your first round picks stack up against the more "competent" general managers in the league: 2001 - You selected Jeff Backus in the first round... He in fact still plays for the Lions, receiving a 6 year extension with the Lions in 2006. And why shouldn't you resign him.... he is a member of the impenetrable offensive line of the lions... I mean these guys should make condoms with their faces on them... and boast a 30% efficiency rate. I mean I'm sure John Kitna would endorse them.... if in fact he can remember his name after being sacked so many times. I commend this pick and I'm glad you went with your gut and didn't draft Deuce Mcallister, Casey Hampton, Reggie Wayne, Ocho Cinco, Drew Brees or Matt Light like the other teams with later picks in the draft... good for you sir. 2002 - This draft you did particularly well.... You used the 3rd overall pick to draft a journeyman quarterback.... Mr. Joey Harrington. This guy is a stud.... career passer rating of 69.4, 79 tds 85 int. He spent 4 years wallowing in failure with the Lions before bouncing to the Dolphins and Falcons (both perennial powerhouses) before landing a job with one of the NFL's elite offenses.... the New Orleans Saints.... too bad he is backing up Drew Brees, a guy you passed on Mr. Millen. Irony is a funny thing isn't it. You passed on some pretty solid talent in this draft too.... Dwight Freeney, Quentin Jammer, Ed Reed, Jeremy Shockey, Albert Haynesworth and Lito Sheppard were all drafted after your boy Joey Harrington. Props to you. 2003 - This year you decided to continue to build a powerhouse offense. You drafted Charles Rogers with the 2nd overall pick in the first round. Nevermind the fact that Terrance Newman, Marcus Trufant or Troy Palumalu are all pro-bowlers that could have bolstered your defence you went with your gut feeling once again. You passed on Andre Johnson, Willis Mcgahee and Dallas Clark.... good pick. 2004 - This year you had another wide receiver on the top of your wish list.... and why shouldn't you with Joey Harrington being a stand out quarterback already. You drafted Roy Williams.... with the 7th overall pick after trading away your 6th overall pick. DeAngelo Hall, Ben Rothlisberger (who happened to win the superbowl in his second season...), Lee Evans, Tommy Harris, Jonathon Vilma and Steven Jackson were all left to be snapped up by the "better teams" later in the first round. 2005 - By your 5th draft your were finally getting the hang of it. You drafted yet another receiver with the 10th pick. Good Idea. Mike Williams.... now I know the average football fan would say WHO? But you Mr. Millen were smarter than that..... you saw a diamond in the rough. In his 2 year career with the Lions he played in 22 games... made 37 catches for 450 yards and 2 TDs. Solid. Now 22 games doesn't seem like a lot but considering his total NFL career was 30 games.... 22 games is pretty solid. Decent pick at 10 considering Shawne Merriman, Luis Castillo, Demarcus Ware, Marcus Spears, Aaron Rodgers and Logan Mankins were all still available. As a packer fan... thanks for leaving Aaron Rodgers on the board. Seriously look at the talent you passed on..... I guess everyone can use the "I was loaded at the NFL draft excuse" once. 2006 - With the 9th pick you picked linebacker Ernie Simms. You left Jay Cutler, Lawrence Maroney and Santonio Holmes on the table for the rest of the first round. In the second round you picked Daniel Bullocks and left Greg Jennings, Devin Hester, Maurice Jones-Drew and Lendale White. What a great judge of character you are. 2007 - Finally a decent pick.... like seriously a pretty good pick. You picked Calvin Johnson (yes another wide receiver and 3rd in the last 4 years). I'm gonna look the other way pretend you didn't leave Adrian Peterson for you division rival or Marshawn Lynch for the Bills. Looks like the new general manager is going to have to wait to see what kind of talent you drafted him this year.... and better yet what talent you passed on. It may seem like I'm being critical but I'm not.... I love every pick you have made. Seriously all of them. Thats why I don't see why you are being railroaded out of town. Especially because the owner gave you a 5 year extension at the beginning of 2005... (I know I thought I read that wrong too). He also made you the second highest paid general manager in the NFL. And why shouldn't he? Unfortunately for you Mr. Millen, you eventually reached a level of hatred in your city that isn't seen too often (sorry, Al Davis or John Ferguson Jr.) I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that you probably do not have another front office job coming your way.... which in my opinion is a damn shame. As I mentioned, I'm diehard Packer fan.... and your performance in Detroit has been nothing but outstanding from the viewpoint of the other teams in the NFC North. I mean its nice to know going into the season you really have at least 2 guaranteed wins and that you are only competing with 2 other teams for the division. I have thoroughly enjoyed your tenure in Detroit and I am going to miss you. I only hope the next general manager is equally inept. You have turned the Lions into a perennial basement dweller and us Packer fans could not be more grateful. I find myself sitting in the campus bar writing this farewell... I'm tearing up slightly. We had a good run together..... and if the Bears or Vikes have any management positions available I encourage you to apply. Sincerely, your #1 fan Brett (www.hykeandroberts.com)