Upset Detroit fans planning walk-out

Suntan Superman

WC's Resident Samoan

Some fans in Detroit are planning to protest the dismal state of the William Clay Ford-owned and Matt Millen-led Detroit Lions in their home finale for the second straight year.

Last season, about 500 people marched, chanting "Fire Mil-len!, before the Lions hosted the Cincinnati Bengals, and many wore orange during the game.
On Sunday against Chicago, another protest has been initiated by disgruntled fans. With 8:57 left in the second quarter, those interested in showing their displeasure with Ford and Millen are asked to walk out of their seats and to later walk out of the stadium.

"They pay 60 or 80 bucks for a ticket, so they can do what they want with it," Detroit tackle Jeff Backus said. "It's their right to do that. We're not putting a good product on the field, so if that's the way they want to react to it, then so be it."
The Lions (2-12) are tied with Oakland for the worst record in the league and are an NFL-worst 23-71 since 2001, when Millen took control of the once-mediocre franchise. If Detroit loses to the Bears and at Dallas next week, its six-season total of losses will trail only Tampa Bay's 74 setbacks from 1983-88 in league history.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

Jayman

Super Moderator

The fans here are simply fed up with the Lions, as you can probably see. I was at the Bengals game last year, and let me tell you, it was interesting. People on the bus were YELLING at those wearing Lions hats or jerseys, wondering why they'd cheer for the team.

Detroit is a huge sports town, and with teams like the Tigers, Red Wings, and Pistons all doing very well, we expect the same from the football team. The Lions haven't been a great team since the inception of the NFL. The fans here are fed up, and the last game I went to (vs. the 49ers), people were ripping their jerseys, throwing their hats into the stands, turning jerseys inside out, etc.

That all being said, I think it's pointless to do this walkout this Sunday. You think Ford cares if fans walk out of a game they already paid the ticket for? No. He is getting the money from the tickets, so he will care less. He refuses to speak to the press about Millen and whether or not he will get fired, so he won't have an opinion on this.

The bottom line is, they can fire Millen, but if Detroit continues to suck, we will find another excuse to fire yet another Lions employee. I think it's time to move forward with another GM, and get rid of Matt Millen. But I'm not 100% convinced it will solve the problem. We've never had a great (or even above-average, really) quarterback, our running game is questionable with Kevin Jones' future right now, our WR were a bust (Mike Williams, Charles Rogers), our defense is in shambles, the O-line isn't good.

There is so much work to be done to the team, it's sick. Firing Millen is a start, but it won't lead to an immediate turnaround.

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Simon

Invictus

Well I read on a couple of blogs (hardly sound knowledge I know) that the Detriot Lions are gonna really go after Troy Smith or Brady Quinn in an attempt to get a long term franchise QB. I think that will do them good in the long run. They have Roy Williams, Kevin Jones, and Kitna as a mentor for a rookie QB so there is a threadbare start to a good offense there.

Saying that the only game I saw Detriot play this season was against Miami and they were pretty awful with the exception of Williams.

Swamps

^Firing the head coach and getting a long term franchise quarterback is easier said than done. However, the feat is not impossible to accomplish. Remember Cincy was the laughing stock of the NFL for a long time but, they went out and drafted Carson Palmer and signed a damn good coach. Its interesting because The Lions have Kitna now and he was the guy who mentored Palmer for a while. Although, sometimes it doesn't always work for better neither (Chargers: Ryan Leaf). I say they should draft Troy Smith over Brady Quinn though.

Dr. Giganto

Well, I'm kinda into the belief that if you want to be succesful, you start from the Lines (O and D) and work your way out. I like what the Jets did this year, picking up the #1 tackle and #1 center in the draft. However, if the Lions end up up with the #1 or #2 pick, it would be hard to pass on Quinn. They could, I suppose, try to trade down if they want to go the lineman route.


But, QB is probably the most difficult position to fill in the NFL, and picking up a guy like Quinn or Smith could be the way to go

Suntan Superman

WC's Resident Samoan

If Millen is still the GM of the Lions in April I think they'll take Calviin Johnson or Steve Breaston. Otherwise I see them going either QB or DB, Although drafts have proven that Secondary Help doesn't neccessarily mean they are a first-rounder. Truthfully, as far as readiness for the NFL goes, I'd put Troy Smith in the second round, but his upside and potential scoot him into the mid-late 1st Round the Heisman puts him in the Early-Mid 1st Round, and a bowl win over Florida would put him in the Top 10. Anyway Detroit, Jon Kitna has stated that he doesn't want to end up like he did in Cincinnati, so if they draft a 1st Rnd QB he might bolt whereas if they draft someone such as a Chris Leak or a John Stocco, Bryan Cupito, Drew Tate type of guy who could be a Tom Brady like QB. And they'd get to keep Kitna

Invictus

I don't think they should be too concerned about keeping Kitna. He's done as a starter in the NFL. If Detriot need an experienced QB to back up and help a new rookie I'm guessing Brad Johnson, Kurt Warner, Jake Plummer, Drew Bledsoe will all be available as well as free agents, as is Damon Huard.