Doltish Detroit

Football wisdom and excellent business rationality have gone M.I.A. from the city of Detroit for many years, but you can't avoid the seven-year abyss that has engulfed the city since President and CEO Matt Millen took over. Since then, these fundamental principles that are essential to surviving in today's NFL have been a steady drip giving the Lions a blown gasket every season.

Millen developed a very strong passion for wide receivers by drafting 4 out of the last 5 drafts while passing up unbelievable talent for other critical positions (like QB) where they lacked. They also did not have any consistency or drafted well at quarterback. During most of his tenure in the Motor City, Millen has had Joey Harrington and he was not developed well. Harrington is now with Atlanta on the bench after a pit stop in Miami. The Lions have also defied NFL logic by abandoning the running game since the retirement of Barry Sanders. The names that they've brought in have either struggled through injuries or were simply not gifted.

I could go on, but the bottom line is that Matt Millen went from a NFL linebacker to a radio/TV color guy in the broadcast booth and then straight to the top of the Detroit Lions right under owner William Clay Ford.

And, it's shown.

From 1991 to 2000, the Detroit Lions made the playoffs six times. Then Millen took over in 2001. Since then, they have not made the playoffs once and compiled a 30-78 record including 8-46 on the road.

Coincedence? Not so much.

The Lions also have a rich history during this horrible stretch of getting off to good start and then floundering in the end. This season, they began the year with a 6-2 record and had one of the most explosive passing games in the league. Eyes were beginning to turn and hearts were starting to believe. Then, the balloon popped, and they have no lost four straight while showcasing a dismal defense and extremely porous offensive line.

In addition, their superstar WR Roy Williams is out for the year, their running game is last in the league, and they lead the league in sacks allowed at 51. On top of that, QB Jon Kitna is eating his words after last season's win vs. Dallas when he proclaimed LB Bradie James and CB Terence Newman soft and ineffective. You just don't say things like that because they are seeds sown that will, one day, grow.

Now, Detroit finds themselves welcoming these same Dallas Cowboys who, along with QB Tony Romo, are simply smoking. They are 11-1 and have clinched a playoff berth. Their offense continues to scorch any playing turf, and the defense is proving to be quite ferocious.

This is what you would call "not a good combination." Plus, Dallas is one win away from clinching the NFC East.

It's like a shark being put in a tank with a bloody sailfish, or a Lamborghini racing a BMW...

With a blown gasket.