Bill Ford Says He Would Fire Matt Millen

In a stunning development in Lions management, Detroit Lions Vice Chairman Bill Ford commented today on the Lions' 0-3 start.

"It was an embarrassment, the fans deserve better, and if I had the authority, I would have fired the general manager, Matt Millen," Ford said.

This is huge. Bill Ford of course does not have the authority to make such a firing. That dubious task lies with his father, the owner of the team, William Clay Ford.

It's no secret that William Clay Ford is looked upon by many as the worst owner in professional sports. He hasn't spoken publicly about the team in years and obviously cannot recognize when his general manager is doing a horrible job.

Bill Ford has granted quite a few interviews to the media concerning the Lions over the years, always hinting at his dissent, and frustration at the state of the team. Still, he has never gone against his father publicly until now.

If we are to believe Matt Millen, William Clay Ford has his back and is satisfied with the job Millen is doing. Nothing is going to change as long as William Clay Ford has executive decision making power for the Lions.

At least there might be hope for the future. I firmly believe that behind closed doors Bill Ford has been upset about the way the Lions are being run for a long time. I'm not saying Bill Ford knows how to build a football team; he might not have a clue on who to hire.

However, at least he recognizes when things clearly aren't working. At least he cares enough to express his frustration publicly to the fans. At least now the fans now know that someone in upper management cares.

Now we just need a coup of some sort. Or at least the distant hope that William Clay Ford will listen to his son, if not the furious mob of Lions fans.