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Rob Parker out at the Detroit News

By Big Al | January 6, 2009 | The Wayne Fontes Experience

TWFE's long-time nemesis, the worst columnist in America, someone I've considered to be all that's wrong about journalism, Rob Parker, has resigned from the Detroit News. "He doesn't work here any more," Managing Editor Donald Nauss said. He said Parker resigned on Friday. Asked whether this followed a suspension of his column, Nauss said, "I can't talk about personnel matters." Parker, who had been at the paper for eight years, could not be reached for comment and has not responded to previous requests. I never thought I'd see the day. Both of TWFE's biggest targets of derision, Matt Millen and Rob Parker, are no longer working in Detroit. To be honest, I had been wondering what was up with Parker. He had been AWOL from his News column since his ludicrous "I was joking, we're really BFF's" non-apology for trying to embarrass Rod Marinelli and Joe Barry during a postgame...

Read more | 3 Comments | Tags: Detroit, Detroit Lions, NFL, Rob Parker

I HATE Millen the GM. But, God help me, I LIKE Millen the broadcaster

By Big Al | January 5, 2009 | The Wayne Fontes Experience

I HATE former Lions' general manager Matt Millen with the white hot heat of a 1000 burning suns. Notice I said, "General manager."When it comes to running an NFL franchise, even the deservedly ridiculed Russ Thomas, who mired the Lions in decades of mediocrity, has a better track record. The porn 'stached goon ruined the NFL in Detroit. The Lions were left such a mess under Millen's tenure, it will take YEARS to clean up. Consider ourselves lucky if the Lions get back to being mediocre anytime soon.But Millen's firing was sudden, only 3 games into the season. There was no press conference announcing his firing, no exit interview, no MSM led public inquisition, nothing. Only a statement released to the media via a press release.At this point, 4 months later, I'm not all that interested in what Millen has to say about his time with the Lions. The time...

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Detroit, Detroit Lions, Matt Millen, NFL

Matt Millen on NBC: "There's enough talent in Detroit." Lions fans: "To lose 16 games!"

By Big Al | January 3, 2009 | The Wayne Fontes Experience

The disgraced Matt Millen, in hiding since getting the ziggy from the Lions after the 3rd week of the NFL season, finally made a public appearance today. He joined the literal cast of thousands on NBC's "Football Night in America"pregame show, and spoke about his time spent ruining the life of Lions fans.I'm BACK, beyotches! According to Mike O'Hara (O'Hara has joined the blogging fraternity now that he's retired. He has a transcript of Millen's appearance posted. Welcome to the club, Mike!), NBC isn't saying if this was a one time deal, or if Millen has been signed to work their playoff telecasts. Not that it would be all that much work, as NBC is only carrying today's wild card games, and Super Bowl XLIII on February 1. I seriously doubt Millen needs the work, as the Lions still owe him a silly amount of Scrooge McDuck/Hank Scorpio/Mony Burns/Thurston Howell...

Read more | 5 Comments | Tags: Detroit, Detroit Lions, Matt Millen, NFL

Is the Tuna in play? According to Peter King...maybe

By Big Al | January 3, 2009 | The Wayne Fontes Experience

The Oakland Press' Dave Birkett went beyond the call of duty, in unearthing an enticing nugget of information from the snooze inducing Dan Patrick Show. (Does anyone listen to Patrick's radio show? It's as stimulating as a glass of warm milk.)Patrick interviewed SI's Peter King, and was asked, with the Dolphins sale about to go through, if Bill Parcells was actually going to opt out of his contract with the Fish. King says smoke = fire, claims the Tuna just might be in play, and may have an interest in the...GASP...Detroit Lions. King was asked about Bill Parcells' future in Miami and whether the Dolphins' current executive vice president will opt out of his contract in the coming month. Said King, I don't get a good feel on that. I think it's one of those where there's smoke there's fire. If he does go somewhere, I think it's more likely...

Read more | 3 Comments | Tags: Bill Parcells, Detroit, Detroit Lions, NFL, William Clay Ford

Just how badly dysfunctional and unorganized are the Lions?

By Big Al | January 2, 2009 | The Wayne Fontes Experience

Plenty. The current shenanigans in regard to the front office have been a microcosm of the Lions' decades long ineptitude. The Lions' off season is less than a week old. But it has already been a Lions fan's worst case scenario. Lewand makes all kids of factual mistakes while talking about other team's personnel moves during the introductory press conference. A presser the owner himself couldn't bother to attend. The hottest head coaching candidate on the planet is Giants' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnulo, and he has interviewed with the Lions. But every other NFL team with a head coaching opening has Spagnulo listed as number one with a bullet, meaning the Lions' chances in landing him are minuscule at best, and a rat's chance in Hell, at worst. Another hot coaching candidate on the Lions' list, Cowboys' offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, has withdrawn his name from consideration. I'm not saying...

Read more | 6 Comments | Tags: Detroit, Detroit Lions, Martin Mayhew, Steve Spagnulo, Tom Lewand, William Clay Ford

Cramer's back, CJ's pissed and other Tennessee Titans tidbits

By Drexel Perry | January 2, 2009 | Total Titans

Chris Johnson: Flickr (vermillion)

Welcome to 2009! On behalf of Total Titans, I wish everyone a safe and prosperous New Year! Meanwhile, as most of us have been celebrating the beginning of another year, the Tennessee Titans are in the midst of a bye week as they prepare for next weekend's home playoff game against an opponent that has yet to be determined. Here are a few Titan-related happenings that you might have missed over the course of the last day or so....

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Casey Cramer, Chris Johnson, Detroit Lions, Falcons, Jim Schwartz, Josh Stamer, Lions, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Mike Heimerdinger, NFL, Tennessee Titans, Titans

The Blitz: NFL Wild Card Weekend

By Chris Maier | January 1, 2009 | The Blitz

NFLDRAFT101.com's Chris Maier and Dan Wernery ring in the New Year with the Wildcard Weekend edition of the Blitz. This week we take a look back at the week 17 stumbles of the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and discuss coaching changes in Detroit, NY Jets, Denver and Cleveland. We also being talking about the NFL Draft as Dan talks about his Pre-New Year's Bowl standouts and gives his for NFL Mock Draft of the New Year (1st 10 picks). We wrap up the show with previews of this weekends wildcard matchups and make our picks for the Super Bowl....

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, audio, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Podcast, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers

The Knee Jerks: WTF with Eno and Al - Webisode 14: Morons to the left of me, small ball to right, here I am, stuck in the New Year with Eno

By Big Al | January 1, 2009 | The Wayne Fontes Experience

HAPPY NEW YEARS DAY to all the readers of TWFE! Also, HAPPY KNEE JERKS DAY! Yes, today is holiday. Even though you may be nursing a hangover and watching football (or outdoor hockey), it being Thursday, The Knee Jerks make their weekly appearance. The new year be damned, we are here to serve. For those not yet in the know, every Thursday I chat with with Mr. Journalist, Greg Eno, who's collected works can be found at the newly redesigned Out of Bounds. He takes time out of his busy schedule to chat with this shiftless, layabout, goofball blogger, where we get our snark on regarding all things Detroit sports, and whatever the Hell else we feel like spewing opinions upon.In today's holiday editon of The Knee Jerks, we take a look at the morons running the Lions, why William Clay Ford continues to hire morons, the odd passion...

Read more | 3 Comments | Tags: Detroit, Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings, Martin Mayhew, Michigan St. Spartans, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL, William Clay Ford

Fantasy Football: Looking Ahead to 2009-Third-Year WRs

By Brad Berreman | December 30, 2008 | MVN Outsider

A common theory in fantasy football is that wide receivers tend to emerge in their third NFL season. Some recent examples include Cleveland's Braylon Edwards (2007) and Denver's Brandon Marshall (2008). With that in mind, here's a look at some notable WRs that will be in their third NFL season in 2009. 1. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions- Despite the disfunction in Detroit, Johnson had a terrific 2008 season. He had 78 receptions for 1,331 yards and 12 touchdowns. Imagine what he could do if he had consistent QB play. The potential upside is huge. 2. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs- Bowe followed up a solid rookie season with 86 catches for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns in 2008. If the Chiefs can find a competent QB of the future, he should continue to post nice numbers for years to come. 3. Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis Colts- Gonzalez had a somewhat...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Anthony Gonzalez, Arizona Cardinals, Calvin Johson, Detroit Lions, Dwayne Bowe, Fantasy, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Outsider, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders

All Detroit Wants for Christmas? One Lousy Win

By Anthony Hall | December 24, 2008 | MVN Outsider

var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(420,296,374107,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() I don't think I'm breaking any new ground by saying that the city of Detroit is in an absolute mess. Its violent crime rate? The highest of any major city in the United States (nearly 20,000 violent crimes were recorded in 2007). Unemployment rate? 21.6% -- again, the highest of any major American city. Percentage of kids living below the poverty line? Try 47.8%. Its former mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick? Well, he's in jail right now, serving four months for obstruction of justice. And the Big Three automakers, the basis of Detroit's economy? They were recently spared from collapse, but needless to say, the auto industry faces a tough, uncertain road ahead. Could it be any more fitting, then, that this city's NFL team has already set a record for futility and is on the verge of finishing the season with the first 0-16 record in...Read more

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NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Pennsylvania teams eventually rise to top

By Greg Trippiedi | December 18, 2008 | MVN Outsider

1. Tennessee Titans (12-2) The Titans hold the top spot at least one more week through the loss, but they will have to beat Pittsburgh at home without Albert Haynesworth and Kyle VandenBosch to hold it any further. Good luck guys.2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5-1)The Eagles jump up to number two this week behind the strength of a third consecutive win, and the Steelers knocking off the Ravens, who beat the Eagles back when this was a team in turmoil. 3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) Do the Steelers have the greatest defense of all time? Only a championship would validate this. The offense apparently isn't going to assist them until the final two minutes of every game.4. Baltimore Ravens (9-5) The Ravens aren't going to fall too far, falling victim to the "Tuck Rule curse". They should have taken care of business in Pittsburgh, and then it wouldn't have come down to...Read more

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, power poll, Tennessee Titans

Monday Overtime: Key losses set up Giants-Pathers, Titans-Steelers showdown

By Anthony Brown | December 15, 2008 | MVN Outsider

This is not the WWE where outcomes are staged as entertainment masked as sport. But, the NFL could not have set up two key games any better than key losses by the Giants and Titans yesterday.Houston Texans 13, Tennessee Titans 12Texans receiver Andre Johnson is a pretty good football player you almost never see on TV. Blame small markets and inconsistent play for that. He gave Houston football fans an emotional lift with 207 receiving yards to lead the Texans over the franchise formerly known as the Houston Oilers. The game should have been a blowout for the Titans. Instead, their entire scoring came from field goals. It was just that kind of day. So what did Titans coach Jeff Fisher do on fourth down from the Texans 32 yard line with two minutes to go in the fourth quarter? He goes for it instead of taking what might have...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, New York Giants, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans

Race for the top draft pick

By Patrick Patterson | December 4, 2008 | MVN Outsider

There is great excitement all over the NFL as the playoff races come into clearer focus. However, for the teams at the bottom of the NFL, there is another race going on. They are treading the thin line between playing for pride and knowing that each loss gives them a better chance at a blue chip player in the 2009 draft. Here is how the top 5 should shake up.1. Detroit Lions: Right about now the Lions would lose to a division II NCAA team. There is no doubt that they will be the team on the clock the moment the season ends. Projected finish 1-15. (0-16 just isn't possible, is it?)2. Seattle Seahawks: This draft position actually hinges on their game with the St Louis Rams. This is not how a great coach like Mike Holmgren should go out, but with his retirement already a done deal it will...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, NFL, NFL Draft, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks

News and notes from around the NFL

By Andrew Strickert | November 28, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Roy Williams has more to be thankful for than most in the NFL. A month ago, before he was traded to Dallas, he was stuck in the purgatory known as Detroit. On Thanksgiving, Williams' former team, the 0-12 Lions, was shellacked by the Titans 47-10. His current team, the 8-4 Cowboys, remains in playoff contention after a 34-9 trouncing of the Seahawks. Jim Haslett's bank account will be $20,000 lighter for cussing during a disputed play. Fined for cussing, are you kidding me? Cussing is a part of football, from Pop Warner all the way through to the NFL. The league claimed Haslett was cussing at an official; Haslett claimed he wasn't cussing the official, that he simply yelled, "get off the @#$%^&* ball." The league also fined Patriots T Matt Light and Dolphins LB Channing Crowder $15,000 each for fighting. I'm surprised they received equal punishment since Light seemed to be the...Read more

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams, Washington Redskins

Football on Thanksgiving is an American tradition

By Andrew Strickert | November 26, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Thanksgiving and football. They go together like Thanksgiving and turkey. Most of us grew up spending our Thanksgiving afternoons watching the NFL on television, when not going back for more helpings of turkey and all the fixings. The association between football and Thanksgiving has a long history, beginning in 1920. The old American Professional Football Association played six games on Thanksgiving of that year, starting a tradition which lasts to this day. The Detroit Lions will host their 69th Thanksgiving game this year, a tradition which began in 1934. (The Thanksgiving games had a brief hiatus during World War II.) 1956 was the first televised game and we've been watching on TV ever since then, with the Lions and Cowboys being the hosts. The NCAA used to have a lot of traditional rivalries on Thanksgiving, but as the NFL's popularity has increased, most of those games have switched to Friday or Saturday. Checking this...Read more

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Presenting your 2008 NFL Turkeys of the Year...

By Anthony Hall | November 26, 2008 | MVN Outsider

It's that time of year. Time to honor the Thanksgiving holiday by singling out the screw-ups in the NFL, those who have fallen flat on their face within the last year -- in other words, those who deserve to be named one of our "2008 NFL Turkeys of the Year." Anthony Brown and Greg Trippiedi of MVN Outsider have each selected their top three turkeys in the NFL, and we've also asked a group of bloggers to give us their picks for the league's top turkey.Anthony Brown's three turkeys:NFL Thanksgiving Day TV Line-UpWhat a turkey the NFL is serving on Thursday -- the 10-1 Tennessee Titans at the 0-11 Detroit Lions, the 2-9 Seattle Seahawks at the 7-4 Dallas Cowboys, and the 7-4 Arizona Cardinals at the 5-5-1 Philadelphia Eagles. Tennessee (-11) and Dallas (-12.5) are prohibitive favorites to win their games. Philadelphia is allowed home field advantage (-3) over...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, NFL

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