No Time to Waste: A Call to Action for the Detroit Lions

The Lions might very well be win-less on the field of play, but off the field they have amassed two very big wins. The first was the long overdue firing of their consistently incapable GM Matt Millen. The second win came yesterday with the trading of malcontent wide receiver Roy Williams. To get three draft picks including a first rounder for a guy who was leaving town at the end of the season anyway is the single best move the Lions have made in the last ten years. I'm not here to bust on Roy Williams because he was a fine athlete and will be a pro bowl receiver in Dallas, I have no doubt. But he was set to leave town as soon as he could and the potential value received in return has many Lions fans back on the hope train wishing for a promising future. This could have been a big step towards making that dream a reality, but for that to happen, something else has to take place first.

William Clay Ford Sr. must stop change his stance on waiting until the end of the year to bring in a new General Manager.

Ford stands by his decision to wait until the years end to assess the situation and find the right man for the job. Yet another fine example of the overly patient owner of the Lions costing the team valuable time. The upside of waiting to make this decision is the availability of a more thorough group of people to interview. Waiting until the end of the year allows the opportunity to interview people who currently hold positions in other front offices who might be interested in a promotion to the office of General Manager even if it means being the General Manager.

However the cons of waiting far outweigh this one positive. Bringing someone in right now gives the person eleven more weeks of the season to evaluate the talent, or lack there of, on the field and on the coaching staff. This upcoming off season is a big one for the Lions, especially now that they have two first round draft picks and to wait to hire a General Manager will only put the Lions behind the eight ball on capitalizing on a very promising situation.

And you cannot chalk this odd decision up to a lack of talent to fill the position. There are many quality candidates available and at the head of that list is none other than former Tennessee Titans GM and current ESPN Analyst, Floyd Reese. Among his credentials is the fact that he would rank third among all current GM's. Another fact to point out is his drafting record. From 1999-2006 Floyd Reese was ranked third among GM's for most currently active draft picks in the NFL. So we have someone qualified, and not only qualified, but willing. In an interview with Michigan sports radio personality Bill Simonson, Floyd Reese said if the Detroit Lions were to call and offer him the job he would have no choice but to accept it.

So we have a quality GM with a proven track record that is nearly unmatched in the NFL and he's willing to come to Detroit. What more do you need Mr. Ford? This isn't the time to wait and see what happens, this is the time to act.