Only the Detroit Lions could do this

[DeToxRox]

Now keep in mind as you read that the committee being used to interview a GM features Martin Mayhew, who wants the fulltime GM gig, and Tom Lewand, who wants Mayhew to have the fulltime GM gig.

How does the league even allow this to happen?

And just to note, this does not surprise me they're coming back, but wow, I still don't get it, and the process that is going around with it is that much more maddening.

I honestly do not think the Lions sellout one home game next year. Five were blacked out this season, and they had to have extensions for the other three, including the Home Opener and Thanksgiving.

Unreal.

Ford: Lewand, Mayhew will stay with Lions
by Tom Kowalski
Sunday December 21, 2008, 3:30 PM
AP File PhotoTom Lewand, Detroit Lions executive vice president and chief operating officer, walks the sidelines during Detroit's' game against Green Bay Packers earlier this season. Lions owner William Clay Ford said he wants both Martin Mayhew and Lewand to stay with the Lions next season.

DETROIT -- Despite the possibility that his team could finish 0-16 this season, Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford made it clear that there will not be a complete house-cleaning in the offseason.

Prior to Sunday's Lions-Saints game, Ford said that he will hire another person to join the team's football operations but that person might not fill the typical general manager role. Ford said the new hire might not have total control over all personnel matters and that those decisions could be done by committee.

"It depends. I don't know about the odds (of hiring a GM with total authority),'' Ford said. "Let's see who's available and what experience they have and see if they fit in any of our slots.''

Ford said that regardless of who he hires, he also wants both Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand to stay with the organization -- possibly in the positions they currently hold.

"I don't want to delineate positions to exactly where 'This is you' and "This is me.' I want to leave some latitude,'' Ford said. "When we get a good person, I want Martin in on that, I want his opinion.''

Ford said the team would begin to interview candidates at the end of the regular season and the process will involve a three-man panel.

"Lewand, Martin and me,'' said Ford, adding he wanted to have some decisions made within three weeks after the end of the season.

When asked if vice chairman Bill Ford Jr. will be involved in the offseason decisions, Ford Sr. said, "I don't know, I think he's got a plate-full right now. It depends on what his availability is.''

Mayhew, who had held the title of assistant general manager, took over as general manager in late September after president Matt Millen was fired. Mayhew has reported directly to Ford since that time.

When asked if he was happy with the job Mayhew has done so far, Ford said, "Oh yeah, very.''

Ford also said that if the Lions decide to go with a general manager who holds total authority over all football decisions, Mayhew will be among the candidates.

If Ford goes that route and Mayhew doesn't get the job, Ford said he still wants Mayhew to stay with the Lions organization.

Lewand is expected to continue in his capacity as the team's chief operating officer and run the team's day-to-day business activities and also have authority over all Ford Field operations.

Ford said he's "talked to some people'' and that the team is still putting together a list of candidates to be interviewed. Ford said he doesn't believe there is one "football genius'' out there who can come in and make all the right decisions independently.

"No. If there is, I haven't met him yet,'' Ford said.

As for coach Rod Marinelli and his job status, Ford said he hasn't made any decisions yet.

"I don't know, I haven't made up my mind. I'm leaving it open,'' Ford said.

When asked about Marinelli's 0-14 record -- and Detroit's losses in 21 of the previous 22 games (prior to Sunday's result) -- Ford repeated: "No, I'm keeping it open.''

If there is a change at head coach, Ford said he doesn't know yet who might spearhead that search, himself or the new GM.

"Both of those (head coach and GM) positions now are a little nebulous so it's hard for me to say the GM will do it or I'll do it because I don't know who's going to fit in what slot,'' said Ford, adding that his goal is to make the right choices that will put the Lions on a winning path.

"I hope when this whole process is over with that we've got an organization that can build a winning team,'' Ford said. "The fans have been great and they deserve winners. We're all frustrated. We want to win, too. I hope this is the end product.''

[DeToxRox]

And, to add some more, from another beat writer for the Lions:

Lions statement on Ford-Mayhew

The Lions just handed out a statement in the press box confirming a report that Tom Lewand and Martin Mayhew will remain a part of the organization next year.

The statement: "Lions Owner and Chairman William Clay Ford confirmed this afternoon that he expects both Tom Lewand and Martin Mayhew to return to the organization next season. Any decisions regarding the football operations and the coaching staff will be made after the season."

[Karlifornia]

Did Martin Mayhew used to be a defensive back?

[JonInMiddleGA]

And the talking heads on Fox can't rush to the defense of Marinelli fast enough after a reporter pounded him pretty good for his questionable defensive coordinator (his son-in-law).

I thought the last question "Do you wish your daughter had married a better defensive coordinator" was one that a lot of fans in Detroit might have liked to ask themselves if they had a chance.

edit to add: I mention this here instead of the regular weekly thread because it sort of highlights a problem that seems to be part of what you mention here: incompetence isn't really hammered in the NFL, especially not when they get in the mood to close ranks. Clueless though retaining the front office guys might be, it seems even worse to me that there's even a consideration of retaining the current staff.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

And the talking heads on Fox can't rush to the defense of Marinelli fast enough after a reporter pounded him pretty good for his questionable defensive coordinator (his son-in-law).

I thought the last question "Do you wish your daughter had married a better defensive coordinator" was one that a lot of fans in Detroit might have liked to ask themselves if they had a chance.

I chuckled at that.

Rob Parker is an awful columnist though, but regardless, up until the last question, he asked good questions and Rod gave his usual response.

[MJ4H]

That question was really shitty.

[DeToxRox]

If you live around here, you just know Parker wants to get noticed.

He was on ESPN when Bonds broke the HR record when he wrote Hank Aaron was a coward for not showing up to see him do it. He's also said Kevin Love and Tyler Hansborough will be busts in the NBA because they're white.

That is what he is.

It's funny because no one here likes him, and that question was him trying to be funny and he royally bombed. It was so absurd I found it hilarious because hes the kind of guy who thinks hes the funniest guy around, and that went on deaf ears.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by MJ4H

That question was really shitty.

Yeah, it was. And it was spit coke out of my nose funny as well.

[Karlifornia]

Yeah...that question was very rude, but very funny, IMO.

[Jas_lov]

Parker is trash. Everytime I see him on ESPN he's saying something stupid, usually about race. He makes Skip Bayless look good on that morning show.

You would think the Lions would see the quick turnarounds by some teams this year and would try to blow everything up and start new. I guess that's why they're the Lions though.

[Apathetic Lurker]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Did Martin Mayhew used to be a defensive back?

Yes, for the Bills

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Did Martin Mayhew used to be a defensive back?

Of course. Everyone knows former players make the best GMs.

[Matthean]

So if the Ford company goes "0-16" in a year, does this mean they don't fire anybody?

The sad thing is a monkey could out GM Millen so by default whoever comes in could have the Lions get to 4 to 6 wins and suddenly Ford Sr. is thinking he made the right decision even if the Lions never got back to above .500.

[Logan]

But they should still be able to keep the Thanksgiving game!

[PilotMan]

As if things in Detroit weren't bad enough just to live there, but they have to endure a terrible football team at the same time. Bengals fans everywhere understand you feel.



Go Steelers!

[Samdari]

I don't understand how anyone could lay the blame for 0-16 at the feet of Mayhew and Lewand. This team is Matt Millen's. The only opportunity the new guys had to do anything with this team was at the trade deadline, and most people think they did pretty well there.

They already cleaned house in the front office. Why would it be surprising if they did not do it again?

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by Samdari

I don't understand how anyone could lay the blame for 0-16 at the feet of Mayhew and Lewand. This team is Matt Millen's. The only opportunity the new guys had to do anything with this team was at the trade deadline, and most people think they did pretty well there.

They already cleaned house in the front office. Why would it be surprising if they did not do it again?

These guys were Millen's assistants. Their hands are hardly clean of this disaster.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

For the record, the Chiefs have lost 22 of their last 24. GM is out and Coach Edwards likely will only be retained if the new GM wants him.

Detroit has lost 22 of 23 and is telling people they can keep their job. Detroit, I feel your pain.

[flere-imsaho]

My sympathies to Detroit fans. That's a real clusterfuck you've got going on there.

Any chance Bill Ford comes in at some point and straightens things out?

[ISiddiqui]

As Joey Harrington said on Sunday:

"It's weird to think I was here in the hey-day"

[Honolulu_Blue]

I was sort of happy for this news. There I was yesterday afternoon, listening to the first half of the Lions' game on a Walkman I stumbled randomly upon a few weeks ago in the basement. I was surfing the interent, came across this article, the Saints were on the verge of going up 21-7 and then I shut it down. It finally put me over the top or under the bottom or however you want to phrase it.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I guess the one upside to this whole 0-16 thing will be that we wont have to listen to Bengals or Cardinals fans when debating which is the worst NFL franchise of all time.

That debate will be over.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by bronconick

These guys were Millen's assistants. Their hands are hardly clean of this disaster.

Yeah, but decision making authority on personnel moves clearly rested with him. These guys may have been against him, on his disastrous moves. We (and probably the Fords) have no idea.

Sure, the GM and coach have to go, but I don't see it as axiomatic in the NFL that all assistant GM's get fired too. Sometimes they are elevated to GM, or at least kept in their current capacity.

[SportsDino]

What happens when you have circle-jerking nepotism at the top of your organization!?

Poor, poor lions... haven't had anything to root for since Barry.

[bhlloy]

Well, it's hardly normal in the NFL that teams go 1-21 either. It boggles my mind that anybody involved in this disaster would keep their job.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

I am excited about next Sunday in Green Bay. It will be the closest thing to going to the Super Bowl the Lions have had in my lifetime. I'm considering it the Anti-Super Bowl. It is the opportunity to cement their place in NFL history, accomplishing something no other team has done. And I seriously fear they will screw it up and somehow win, becoming just another 1-15 team.

Well, thanks to Ford there is always next year.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by M GO BLUE!!!

I am excited about next Sunday in Green Bay. It will be the closest thing to going to the Super Bowl the Lions have had in my lifetime. I'm considering it the Anti-Super Bowl. It is the opportunity to cement their place in NFL history, accomplishing something no other team has done. And I seriously fear they will screw it up and somehow win, becoming just another 1-15 team.

Well, thanks to Ford there is always next year.

I don't want to see them go 0-16. I really don't.

As much as I'd like to see them win next week, they have shown no reason to believe that they are capable of winning a football game. First, they simply lack the talent to compete in this league. Other than a very small handful of players, there are no NFL starting caliber palyers on this team. I can only think of maybe one or two on the defense alone. Second, they are poorly coached and make far too many mental errors and mistakes. A team that is so woefully lacking in talent simply can't afford to make mistakes. They do so constantly. Third, their defense can't stop anyone. They have not made a stop when they've needed to all season.

They are going to head to Green Bay, a place where they haven't won since 1991, and try to end a 20 some odd game losing streak. I don't care if the Packers have nothing to play for. The Saints didn't either and that game wasn't even competitive.

As for the Mayhew hiring, no he's not directly responsible for the horrible shape of the franchise, but his hands aren't clean either. While he might deserve a shot, I just don't see how the Lions can hand the franchise over, again, to someone without a proven track record. This whole "learning on the job" thing that Millen led to the current situation.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

If you live around here, you just know Parker wants to get noticed.

He was on ESPN when Bonds broke the HR record when he wrote Hank Aaron was a coward for not showing up to see him do it. He's also said Kevin Love and Tyler Hansborough will be busts in the NBA because they're white.

That is what he is.

It's funny because no one here likes him, and that question was him trying to be funny and he royally bombed. It was so absurd I found it hilarious because hes the kind of guy who thinks hes the funniest guy around, and that went on deaf ears.

That's funny and sad. It's basically someone who aspires to be Jason Whitlock. You just described Whitlock to a T but for some reason, people keep hiring him...

SI

[Cringer]

This whole thing just makes me think of the guys on NFL Radio who once Millen was fired said the Lions needed to bring in some kind of consultant right away to help them prepare for these kinds of decisions once the offseason hits. You bring in someone, like Ron Wolf, who looks at things from the coaching staff, the players, the front office, and give suggestions to the owners on which way they should go. Who they think needs to move on, help them find a new GM, and all that. Someone to help rebuild the front office and team. Once new top guys are in place that advisor is done and leaves.

A few weeks ago the NFL Radio guys where ripping the Lions for never doing this. Now I see why.

[Mustang]

Maybe Bush can engineer a 1 win bailout in congress to help the Lions.

As much teeth gnashing as Packer fans do about the 5-9 season we are having, there are alot of teams that I wouldn't want to trade places with and the Lions top that list. (After next week, possible that Denver might top that list since I'm not sure what is worse, going 0-16 or just absolutely collapsing and missing the playoffs)

[primelord]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I don't care if the Packers have nothing to play for.

The Packers will absolutely have something to play for though. Specifically when you aren't making the playoffs anyway, you don't want to be the only team that managed to lose to a 1-15 team. Especially in your house and especially with the way Green Bay views their house.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by primelord

The Packers will absolutely have something to play for though. Specifically when you aren't making the playoffs anyway, you don't want to be the only team that managed to lose to a 1-15 team. Especially in your house and especially with the way Green Bay views their house.

Good point.

As a long time St. Louis Blues fan I see you have developed a keen insight into what teams, who appear to have nothing to play for, have to play for.

[digamma]

Calvin still should have made the Pro Bowl.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by digamma

Calvin still should have made the Pro Bowl.

Yeah. He's really very good. Kevin Smith is decent too.

That's about it.

[miami_fan]

So ummm would the guy be the DC if Marinelli was not his father in law?

[Jas_lov]

The Packers are looking great tonight. I don't think the Lions have much of a chance.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by Mustang

Maybe Bush can engineer a 1 win bailout in congress to help the Lions.

As much teeth gnashing as Packer fans do about the 5-9 season we are having, there are alot of teams that I wouldn't want to trade places with and the Lions top that list. (After next week, possible that Denver might top that list since I'm not sure what is worse, going 0-16 or just absolutely collapsing and missing the playoffs)

Uhm, as a Packer fan I wouldn't care if Green bay was the team about to go 0-16, I still wouldn't switch places with a Lions fan.

[kcchief19]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

Any chance Bill Ford comes in at some point and straightens things out?

For the sake of the Lions, do we really want Bill Ford applying the skills he developed running Ford Motor into the ground into the Lions? The NFL is talking about eliminating preseason games and extending the regular season so 0-18 is possible.

As a Chiefs fan, sad news for the Lions is good news for our draft possibilities.

[JediKooter]

So when do the Lions get kicked out of the Premier league?

[Jas_lov]

With the way the Packers just lost that game and how their season is going, I think I now like the Lions chance to win. The Packers just find new ways to lose every week.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by M GO BLUE!!!

I am excited about next Sunday in Green Bay. It will be the closest thing to going to the Super Bowl the Lions have had in my lifetime. I'm considering it the Anti-Super Bowl. It is the opportunity to cement their place in NFL history, accomplishing something no other team has done. And I seriously fear they will screw it up and somehow win, becoming just another 1-15 team.

Well, thanks to Ford there is always next year.

Bah, amateurs. Get back to me when you're 0-26. Then we can talk.

[MLA]

Ford needs to say that the people involved aren't about to get fired when there's still a game to go - and a potentially winnable one at that. After the season he better start shaking it all up to revive the franchise in the same brilliant way the auto makers of the city have turned their fortunes around against better run competition...

[Balldog]

My fear is these guys are more likely to keep Marineli around.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by primelord

The Packers will absolutely have something to play for though. Specifically when you aren't making the playoffs anyway, you don't want to be the only team that managed to lose to a 1-15 team. Especially in your house and especially with the way Green Bay views their house.

And how motivated are the Lions going to be once they hit the field,feel the hard cold air, see the snow, etc...

[boberot]

Originally Posted by Matthean

And how motivated are the Lions going to be once they hit the field,feel the hard cold air, see the snow, etc...

Isn't the prospect of being linked for all time to perhaps the most pathetic and futile team in the history of pro football motivation enough?

As a one-win team, the story doesn't have staying power, but being on the only team ever to go 0-16 stays with you forever I'd imagine.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by boberot

Isn't the prospect of being linked for all time to perhaps the most pathetic and futile team in the history of pro football motivation enough?

As a one-win team, the story doesn't have staying power, but being on the only team ever to go 0-16 stays with you forever I'd imagine.

Why? Why is 0-16 such a big deal? Again, they won't be the first winless team in a season and like I said, until they hit 0-26, they're just a sucky team, not a historically sucky one. Trust me youngsters, there's no way this team is as bad as the '76 Buccaneers. There hasn't been nor will there likely ever be a team so bad. They changed the entire rules of expansion because they were so bad.

ESPN knows it.
hxxp://assets.espn.go.com/page2/s/list/football/teams/worst.html

Pat Toomey knows it.
hxxp://espn.go.com/page2/s/toomay/011227.html

Rod Marinelli knows it.

It's just like the Patriots were all jazzed because they won 16 and were acting like they're the greatest team to go undefeated in a season because they played in 2 more games than the Dolphins. It's not really accurate.

If you want to say they're the worst ever since the league went to 16 game seasons then that's ok, but if you cherry pick stats you can make practically any argument.

Again, I am kinda biased but I've seen both teams play and there's no way this Lions team loses to that Bucs team. They're nowhere near as bad. At least they have SOME NFL worthy talent.

[Logan]

I would hope being 0-16 and being the second worst team in history wouldn't exactly be appealing either.

[Radii]

Originally Posted by Axxon

Trust me youngsters, there's no way this team is as bad as the '76 Buccaneers. There hasn't been nor will there likely ever be a team so bad. They changed the entire rules of expansion because they were so bad.

That's a big part of the reason that makes what the Lions are doing so terrible. The last winless was an expansion franchise in the worst of situations. This Lions team had to work hard to build an 0-16 team!

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Axxon

Why? Why is 0-16 such a big deal? Again, they won't be the first winless team in a season and like I said, until they hit 0-26, they're just a sucky team, not a historically sucky one. Trust me youngsters, there's no way this team is as bad as the '76 Buccaneers. There hasn't been nor will there likely ever be a team so bad. They changed the entire rules of expansion because they were so bad.

ESPN knows it.
hxxp://assets.espn.go.com/page2/s/list/football/teams/worst.html

Pat Toomey knows it.
hxxp://espn.go.com/page2/s/toomay/011227.html

Rod Marinelli knows it.

It's just like the Patriots were all jazzed because they won 16 and were acting like they're the greatest team to go undefeated in a season because they played in 2 more games than the Dolphins. It's not really accurate.

If you want to say they're the worst ever since the league went to 16 game seasons then that's ok, but if you cherry pick stats you can make practically any argument.

Again, I am kinda biased but I've seen both teams play and there's no way this Lions team loses to that Bucs team. They're nowhere near as bad. At least they have SOME NFL worthy talent.

You're missing the point, old man.

First, as Radii mentioned, the Buccs team was an expansion team, not one of the longest running NFL (or otherwise) franchises ever.

Second, the is just the cherry on top of the shit sundae that is the Detroit Lions. This potentially 0-16 team is the culmination of 51 years of ineptitude. They have one playoff win in that time span and they have the worst record, ever, over the last, what, 7 to 9 years or so? Even worse than the Buccs '76 to whatever. Even worse.

So, while the 2008 Detroit Lions may not be as bad as the 1976 Tampa Buccaneers, the Detroit Lions, as an organization, will have officialy sunk to depths hereto unknown before.

That's what makes this whole thing just so speical. This is a Lifetime Achievement award, not some little one off thing. So, you can keep talking about 0-26, but it doesn't matter. You're missing the forrest for the trees.

[Solecismic]

I am so hoping the search committee contacts me for an assistant GM position. I'm qualified, right?

Ten years programming an imaginary football game? Therefore I can work for an imaginary football team.