The road to 0-16 a historical study

Installment one- Laying the foundation. We will exam the struggles of the Lions in the early 2000s on their way to 0-16.

11/22/1963 or 1/10/1964 William Clay Ford buys the Detroit Lions for $4.5 million.

The Lions have won just playoff game (1991) since he took over. He was named the worst NFL owner in 2011 by Forbes magazine and the 4th worst in 2012.

1/9/2001 The Lions hire Matt Millen as their CEO and President

Millen, Mr. Ford, Bill Ford

Millen signs a 5 year $15 million contract. (In 2006, he signs a 5 year extension)

I'm willing to stake my reputation on Matt's success," said William Clay Ford Jr., the team's vice chairman.

said upon hiring Millen.

March-April 2002

Lions sign free agents Brian Walker, Corey Harris, Bill Schroeder and AZ Hakim. I include these signings on the road to 0-16 because the failure of these players made the Millen reach for players in the draft. Besides Dre Bly, Millen did not bring in one quality secondary player. Schroeder and Hakim caused Millen to draft four 1st round receivers.

S Brian Walker 24 starts 2 int



Wr Bill Schroeder 72 rec 992 yards 7 td

4/20/2002 The Lions draft QB Joey Harrington

Millen and prized #3 pick Joey ballgame.

Harrington signed a 6 year $36.5 million contract. He delievered a record of 18-37. He was traded 5/12/2006 for a 5th round pick. (Pick was traded). The failure of Harrington was a cornerstone of the road to 0-16. Mike McMahon, Jeff Garcia, Jon Kitna, Drew Stanton, Daunte Culpepper, Dan Orlovsky all started games at QB on the road to 0-16.

4/26/2003 Lions draft WR Charles Rogers

Millen, Chuck and Mooch

He signed 6 year $54.6 contract. $9.1 million signing bonus. He was paid $16.19 million for his three years of service. He played 15 games 36 catches 440 yards and 4 td. Rogers failure led to the drafting of three more 1st round WR.

3/5/2004 Lions sign Free agents G Damien Woody and CB Fernando Bryant

Both players were in their prime and coming out successful situations. Woody signed a 6 year $31 million deal with $9.5 guaranteed. He failed to perform at his previous level, got hurt, got fat and struggled in the community. Instead of signing a leader with 2 super bowl rings, they signed a cancer. Bryant failed to make an impact. He made 2 picks in his Lions career. Another failed DB for Millen.

Bryant had 2 interceptions for the Lions

4/23/2005 The Lions draft WR Mike Williams

Big Mike Williams 22 games 37 catches 449 yards 2 td

Despite sitting the year because of the Maurice Clarett situation, the Lions selected USC WR Mike Williams with the # 1 pick. It was not a secret the Lions wanted to draft a corner Antrelle Rolle, Carlos Rogers or Pacman Jones. They were all gone. With Derrick Johnson, DeMarcus Ware and Shawn Merriman still on the board the Lions went with Williams, he lasted two years and was traded with Josh McCown to the Raiders for a 5th round pick (Pick was traded) on 4/27/2007.

Next the Marinelli years