Former Detroit Lions GM Matt Millen makes the big understatement since... well, ever

[Brian Damage]

In a wide-ranging conference call this afternoon, newly-minted NFL Network game analyst Matt Millen, who’s already busy with his ESPN broadcasting duties, made the case that his epic failure with the Detroit Lions will help him in the booth.

The Lions finished 0-16 during Millen’s final season as team president. He was fired in September.

The Lions went 31-97 overall since hiring Millen in 2001.

“Every situation is a learning situation,” Millen said. “We’ve had success and we’ve had failure in the NFL. You’re only judged on wins and losses. My tenure was not so good. It was very poor. It’s been said you learn a lot from failures and I learned a ton.

“I can bring that to the table. I view my experience in Detroit as a positive one, not in terms of winning and losing obviously, but having gone through it and being exposed to every level of the NFL, that’s something that could help in the telecast.”

Millen was asked whether he can remain objective when discussing the Lions. Millen, who isn’t scheduled to work any Lions games, wished the organization and owner William Clay Ford well.

“I have absolutely no issue with the Detroit Lions at all,” Millen said. “We’re golden and things are working forward. I’ll handle Detroit like I would any other football team, just look at them and break them down and see where they’re at. There’s no bigger fan of Mr. Ford anywhere but me. I would love to see him holding a trophy. It would be great for the fans of Detroit. They’re awesome fans.”

However, Millen declined to elaborate on the issue of his lingering financial dispute with the Lions. He reportedly hasn’t been paid since the team fired him last year.

“That is kind of ongoing right now,” he said. “I’m going to leave it at that.”

Millen expressed no regrets at taking a shot as an NFL executive even though he would have likely wound up with a plum television role if he hadn’t joined the Lions.

“I’m not wired that way,” Millen said. “I kind of just move forward from where I’m at. I don’t look backwards. I move forward. The way I look at it now I’ve got a great opportunity with NFL Network and ESPN. It’s football. I’ll jump back into football land and I’ll study it like I always did and give it a whirl and see where she goes.”

One of the major questions surrounding Millen’s arrangement with the two networks is balancing his time and avoiding conflicts.

“I don’t know how it will all fit,” Millen said. “I think it’s a great challenge, a great football fix. I’m looking forward to it. I love football on every level. This past season, I took in high school football, I took in Division III, Division II games, I also watched the league and stayed on top of the league.

“Last year, I saw a Pop Warner game. That’s important stuff. The reason it’s important is you see what happens at the highest level and how it influences the beginning level. It’s amazing what you see. It’s still fundamentals, low-man wins, a game of blocking and tackling.”

Meanwhile, Millen praised Lions coach Jim Schwartz, GM Martin Mayhew, rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford and rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew.

“I really like Stafford,” Millen said. “Stafford has a real arm. Stafford can make real throws. I couldn’t speak to what they would win or lose this season.”

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/...s-not-so-good/