JayarJackson

             The late rapper Big Pun said it best, “I’m not a player, I just crush a lot.”  Well, he had more colorful words in the version of that song that didn’t get radio airtime, but his sentiments were clear.  Since I’ve been using this line consistently, it has a totally different meaning.  In the past few days I’ve spent here in Tampa for Super Bowl XLIII, I’ve had some access to areas that NFL players, coaches, and celebrities see on an everyday basis.  Since I never like to look like a tourist, (I’d throw on a cowboy hat, some tight ass Wranglers, and serious boots in a town full of cowboys to avoid looking like an out of towner) I strolled around this city as if I’ve been to the last 5 Super Bowls.  Where people were armed with a camera, sharpie, and NFL jerseys, I rolled with sunglasses, a designer looking t-shirt, and a connection to my cell phone.  Just being a typical Californian spending some time in Florida.  Despite my simple desire to just fit in, I was still surprised when I was first asked for an autograph.


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The futility that has been virtually synonymous with the Detroit Lions for most of their existence has taken a new turn that fans have been begging for.  Their last 5 appearances in the playoffs, ranging from ’93-’99, had them being booted in the first round each time.  The insertion of Matt Millen as the President and GM for the team in 2001 was supposed to change their losing ways, maybe get some new juices flowing in a struggling franchise.  He instead went on to be a part of the reason the team has forgotten the playoffs exist with a 31-81 record since his tenure began. 

With angry fans calling for the dismissal of Millen for a few years now, owner William Clay Ford, Sr. finally pulled the string and yanked him out of the front office early Wednesday.  The buildup must have been too much for him to bear.  After being completely determined to ride out Millen’s uncanny ability to draft NFL busts by granting him a contract extension in 2005, his son, Vice Chairman Bill Jr. was asked his feelings on the job security of their guy that picks players based on how soon they’ll crumble.  His thoughts on Monday were recorded with him wearing a brown paper bag over his head reading “Fire Millen.”  

With Millen out of the way, it seems that everyone is ready for a return to glory for the Lions and their fans.  HockeyTown will become FootballTown.  Sure, there’s DeeeeTroit Basketbaaaal, but DeeeeTroit Football is now on the map!  Fans can be ready for some success like they last had, back in 1957.  Calm down, Old Timer. 

Sure, this was a move that had to be made.  Millen had no previous executive experience and proved to not have the skills necessary in his first and probably last stint.  He chose talent that many would have, but the entire equation in developing those players with the right staff just didn’t add up.  I even think Joey Harrington and Mike Williams were two of the beer-bellied fans holding anti-Millen banners.  Although he’s gone, we shouldn’t expect Rudi Johnson and Kevin Smith to turn into Barry Sanders.  With this 0-3 start to the season, fans should look forward to the start of the NBA season, pack this one in, and take the firing of Matt Millen as one of their 3 upcoming victories this year. 


--JJJ
 

The saga of The Oakland Raiders involving someone Al Davis is displeased with has taken a curious turn after Sunday’s beating handed to the Kansas City Chiefs.  It’s well-known that the 79 year-old managing general partner of the team (lets just call him the owner) has an insatiable desire to claim two more Lombardi trophies before his time is up.  This craving is so great; he seems to have no patience or thought process when it comes to the coaches he hires and immediately fires, or the rejected players he brings into a rehab facility set up for failure. 

His latest quick trigger decision of hiring the league’s youngest coach, Lane Kiffin last season has Davis ready to run the 33 year-old out of town after only one game into this young season.  The public disagreements between the coach, owner, and coaching staff’s decisions from player personnel to game plans had news conferences and headlines written waving goodbye to Kiffin’s first stint as an NFL head coach despite the result of Sunday’s match up with Kansas City. 

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