News: 12/19/05

Matt Millen is to blame for everything.

For what took place on Sunday at Ford Field, when Detroit became Cincinnati north. For the sorry state of the Lions. And for the fact that several hundred fans took to the street to protest what has happened to this franchise under Millen's watch the past five seasons.

Most of all, Millen, the Lions' president, is the reason fans want his hide.

After all, Millen promised some lofty goals when he took over. Just making the playoffs wasn't going to be good enough. Millen claimed he came here from the TV booth to win Super Bowls. Anything else, he said, would be unacceptable.

Millen also told fans that the team would have to be stripped to the bone and rebuilt. Fans bought it and saw the top first-round picks pile up -- Joey Harrington, Charles Rogers, Roy Williams and Mike Williams -- as the team drowned in losses.

Fans feel betrayed

This season, the fans were told this was going to be the Lions' first real step and that they would finally contend for the NFC North title and make the playoffs.

Instead, none of it happened. Fans, rightly so, felt duped.

That's why fans protested before the game and the chants of "`FI-RE MILL-EN" could be heard loud and clear during the Lions' horrendous 41-17 loss to the Bengals.

It's also why fans made signs and posters demanding that Millen be fired immediately by owner William Clay Ford.

"It was embarrassing -- a lot," Millen said of many fans who showed up in the Bengals' colors of orange and black.

And as if the fans didn't have enough ammunition against Millen, the Lions (4-10) have lost at least 10 games in each of Millen's five seasons at the helm. It's the first time in their history that the Lions have had such a dubious losing streak.

Millen, who was signed to a five-year contract extension before the season, rarely makes himself available, a stark contrast from when he first got here. He was a part of the team's TV commercials. The Lions were all about Millen, who took over even though he didn't have any front-office experience. He was supposed to be the brightest up-and-coming executives in the NFL. At least that is what fans were sold.

It only seems fitting that Lions fans would pick a game against the Bengals to vent their frustration. For years, the Bengals were laughingstocks of the NFL. In fact, before this season, their last above-.500 record was in 1990. With the victory, the Bengals clinched the AFC North title.

The Lions, who are 20-58 under Millen, have just one playoff victory since 1957.

"It's not only about one person," cornerback Dre Bly said in defense of Millen. "They are trying to point the finger at Matt, but there are 53 other guys here."

Big fish slips away

Still, it's got to be tough for fans to stomach the Bengals' quick turnaround, especially since Millen had the chance to hire Marvin Lewis, the Bengals' head coach. Instead, he went with Marty Mornhinweg, and then Steve Mariucci.

"He made the team credible," Bengals tackle John Thornton said about Lewis. "You knew he was going to turn it around."

That same was said about Millen. Sadly, Millen hasn't delivered. Hence, he is to blame.

RECAP:

The Cincinnati Bengals have shed their laughingstock image, winning their first division title since 1990 against a team that fits their former reputation.

Carson Palmer threw three touchdown passes in the first half and Deltha O'Neal had one of three interceptions to lead the Cincinnati Bengals to a 41-17 victory over Detroit.

''It's a great accomplishment, and it's one of the many goals we set out to do,'' said Palmer, who has thrown 30 TD passes this season, breaking Ken Anderson's team record by one set in 1981. ''We still have two tough games left, and a chance to get a bye.''

Cincinnati (11-3) won its fourth straight game to claim the AFC North, adding to a sensational season after 14 straight years without a winning record.

''Even a garbage can gets a steak now and again,'' said offensive tackle Willie Anderson, a Bengal since 1996.

Hundreds of fans made the short trek from Ohio to celebrate. They gathered behind the Bengals' bench and near the exit late in the game to cheer in a near-empty stadium that was jeering the home team at every opportunity when it was almost full.

''It was a weird, eerie feeling,'' Palmer said. ''It was quieter when we were on the field than it is at home.''

The Bengals have a chance for their best record ever, having gone 12-4 in 1981 and 1988. They made the Super Bowl both years.

If they make it to the title game again, they'll return to Detroit's Ford Field.

''I'm happy and elated, but our biggest goal is to get back here,'' Anderson said.

The reeling Lions (4-10) lost their fifth in a row, and seventh of eight since sharing the division lead.

''We are suffering,'' said Detroit's interim coach Dick Jauron, who fell to 0-3.

The tone was set on the opening kickoff when Detroit's R.W. McQuarters fumbled. By the end of the first quarter, the Bengals led 17-0 after Palmer threw two TDs and they forced two turnovers.

''That's what you fear against a team like that,'' Jauron said.

Palmer was 28-of-39 for 274 yards with three TDs, matching a season high, and two interceptions. He connected with Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who left the game with an ankle injury, and Kelly Washington on scoring throws.

Johnson had a career-high 11 catches for 99 yards, and when he caught a 1-yard TD pass in the first quarter, the flamboyant receiver looked around before simply handing the football to the official.

''This game was too important,'' he explained. ''I just wanted to play it safe, because we needed a win.''

Rudi Johnson had 117 yards rushing and two TDs. He scored on the first drive after halftime to put the Bengals ahead 31-7, and added a second TD early in the fourth.

Detroit's Jeff Garcia was 13-of-21 for 138 yards with one TD and three interceptions, including one to O'Neal, who broke a team record with 10 interceptions. Garcia was replaced by Joey Harrington early in the fourth quarter, a move that drew cheers, and Harrington finished 6-of-7 for 77 yards and a TD.

Harrington, the third pick of the 2002 draft, acknowledged it might have been his last home game as a Lion.

''I realize the cutthroat nature of this business and the produce-now mentality, and we haven't done it,'' Harrington said.

Artose Pinner ran for 55 yards for the Lions, playing in place of Kevin Jones (elbow). Roy Williams caught a TD pass in the second quarter. Charles Rogers turned a short toss from Harrington into a 35-yard TD to make it 38-17 midway through the fourth quarter.

Before the game, hundreds of fans marched to protest Lions president Matt Millen, who has led the franchise to an NFL-worst 20-58 record the past five seasons.

As promised, many fans wore orange - Cincinnati's color - during the game. They chanted ''Fire Millen!'' throughout the game before most fans decided to head home in the second half.

''We understood what they were after,'' Williams said. ''They hoped we would lose so they could get what they want to happen in management, or with players they want gone. I think their plan went well.''

Scott's Game Commentary:

Could this miserable season anytime sooner??? Before the game, I joined the Angry Fan March in calling for the end of Matt Millen's regime. It was nice to see so many Lions fans fed up with decades of mediocrity letting their feelings known. The game itself was exactly what I predicted - a Lions massacre! Not since thousands of Packers fans invaded the Silverdome nine years ago have I seen so many fans from the road team at a Lions home game. Although there were plenty of Lions fans decked out in orange to show their displeasure, thousands of Cincinnati fans made the trip. What they and the rest of us poor Lions fans saw was a Bengals team that dominated the Lions from start to finish. Only a few years ago, Cincinnati was the laughing stock in the league after posting a 2-14 record. With their first pick overall, they took QB Carson Palmer who threw for three touchdowns against the Lions and is one of the best QB's in the NFL. Rudi and Chad Johnson each had big games as they always do against a Lions Defense that has completely unraveled. What is there to say about the Lions Offense??? It is nothing more than the same old crap week in and week out. For the life of me, I do not understand why Jeff Garcia is still the starting QB! As much as I could not stand Joey Harrington, he is light years better than Garcia who threw for three interceptions and bolted out of the Lions lockroom before anyone could interview him. Harrington saw his first action since the Thanksgiving Day game and led the Lions to their second touchdown to Charles Rogers, who had his first touchdown since October of 2003. Why Harrington and Rogers had not been playing the past few weeks just goes to show how dysfunctional the Lions brass and coaching staff is - even if they have both failed miserably thus far for the honolulu blue and silver.

Grades:

Offense: --- D. Two more games until I never have to see Garcia throw another ball for the Lions. He is just awful! Never thought I would ever want to see Joey Harrington in a game again, but watching Garcia self destruct yet again was nothing new. Mike Williams continue to be a disappointment in his rookie season as he caught one pass. Roy Williams had his typical game of getting a touchdown and having a big drop. Charles Rogers finally got a chance to play and produced - too bad the Lions coaching staff thinks he's the fifth best receiver on the team. For as pitiful of a year as the Offense has had, I can only see them betting better for the 2006 season given there will be a new coach and QB to lead the charge.

Defense: --- F. Carson Palmer and company had a field day on the Lions Defense as they scored 41 points and had only one punt the entire game. The Defense had been playing so well at the beginning of the year but lately has fallen flat on their faces. Dre Bly struggled against Chad Johnson, one of the best WR's in the NFL. RB Rudi Johnson had a field day on the Liond Defense that no longer has a clue how to stop any running back. Shaun Rogers made a few big plays but still continues to make bone headed penalties. Fortunately, next week the Defense plays a Saints team that is just as miserable on Offense as the Lions are.

Special Teams: --- C. Great way to start a game! While I was watching the San Diego Chargers pull off a stunner against the Colts in the Ford Field bar, R.W. McQuarters was fumbled the opening kickoff that set the tone for the rest of the game. Hanson made a 42 yard field goal and Nick Harris continued his strong punting.

Coaching: --- F. Dick Jauron's chances of taking over as Lions head coach next year are zero. The last three weeks have been just as pitiful or worse than when Mariucci was head coach. Why he waited to the game was out of reach to yank Garcia is beyond me, just like his decision last week to have Garcia do a QB sneak on fourth and goal! Jauron may be a successful coach in the NFL down the road, but it certainly will not be here.

Overall: --- D. I am glad there are no more Sunday's that I have to waste my day watching the carnage at Ford Field. At 4-10, the Lions are just about guaranteed to have a worse record than last year. Next week will be there last chance to get a victory as they play another team in total disarray - the Saints. The final game of the season will be another blow out given Pittsburgh has man handled the NFC North so far. Add up all the promise the honolulu blue and silver had before the seaon started and what has transpired the past month and it should not be any surprise this franchise is at rock bottom. Matt Millen cannot escape the fact that the Lions have the worst record in the NFL since he took over and just about all his decisions have blown up in his face. Unfortunately, he is going no where and will get one last chance to bring in his third coachf. With an 0-2 count, I would not be surprised if strike three means Millen's head!

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