Your E-mail Man: Finally Delivering
Ask Mike | by Mike O'Hara | 12.31.2008/1:37PM
Hey, folks, sorry I’m late answering your questions. If I was a mailman, I’d have been fired for delivering the Christmas presents on New Year’s Eve. It toook me longer than I thought to get the e-mail streaming through to me. But now that we’re up and running, write as often as you can. One rule, though, same as when I did this forum at The Detroit News: No profanity. Thanks for following the rules, and I’ll try to answer all your questions.
Q: Mike:
Good to see you back.
My question to you is this: It looks like we must live with Mayhew and Lewand whether we like it or not, but what about the scouting department of the Lions? What if any changes do you see happening there because they certainly seem to have underachieved (to put it kindly.) Someone was feeding the coaches and management information on these players they drafted and signed as free agents over the years. They can talk all day about players fitting or not fitting into the “scheme’s” but the players still have to be able to play.
Thanks and I hope retirement is treating you well.
Daniel L. Bade
A: Dan: If it had been my choice, I’d have made a pitch for Scott Pioli, who’s now being pursued by Cleveland. Having said that, weeks ago I touted Mahyew for the GM job, after Millen was fired. When you look at Mayhew’s bio, he’s doing everything right to prepare himself for this job with one exception—getting hired by a losing franchise. However. all of the jobs open now are for losing franchises, or ones that have been disappointing lately. Give Mayhew at least a two-year window. See how he drafrts, and what they do in free-agency. Lewand is a sharp man when it comes to managing the business end, and he is deferring to Mayhew on football decisions.
And if you’re skeptical, that’s OK. Lions fans should be skeptical. There’s not track record for anything else.
Q: Dear Mike,
As an avid fan of the Lions (and a NJ resident) I feel that you are very much on the money regarding most of your points. I wish you could have some voice in helping my favorite team build through the draft. Here are their major problems that MUST be fixed:
1. Drafting of Players - They may do this worse than any team in history. During the Millen Administration, they have gotten 1 Superstar (Calvin J), and a few very good players (Ernie Sims, Kevin Smith), and a handful of decent picks (Cliff Avril, etc). That’s it! The difference between the Lions and Giants is the draft. In the 2007 draft, the Giants picked up 3 starters in rounds 4-7. TE - Boss, CB - Mike Johnson, KR - Bradshaw. They started and contributed on a SUPER BOWL winner! It has to be more than luck. In the 2007 draft, the Lions had the 1st pick of day 2, which means they had 18 hours to get it right. They selected a defensive back from NC State who of course is out of football. No need to pile on about their round one busts, except to say that these guys were selected at the TOP of Round one!
2. Coaches (and GM’s) - Please tell me the Lion coach or GM that has gone on to success anywhere else? In fact, please tell me ONE former Lion coach or GM that has gotten another position in the NFL? I was born in 1958, and I cannot name one. As much as I believe Rod Marinelli to have tried very hard, he is also VERY responsible for bringing in many former TB Bucs to this team, that contributed a grand total of nothing. Very Bad Moves considering he was “in the know” about these guys since he coached the TB defense!
3. Ownership - The owner (WCF) needs to give the reins to his son tomorrow. I am sitting here reading how he PROMOTED two employees who were part of the last 8 years. My team is a laughing stock. He should ABSOLUTELY clean house, perhaps keeping these two individuals as advisors only. How in the world can he NOT even TRY to reach out to Bill Parcells? I do applaud Mayhew for making the Roy Williams deal. BTW - Did he look lost in the Philly game or what? Thank God we FINALLY made a great deal. Roy Williams was always very over-rated, as I said from day 1.
Conclusion (Solution) - BRING IN A PROVEN FOOTBALL GUY. Parcells, Scott Paoli, or someone with a PROVEN Track Record to build this team through the draft, and sprinkle in some FA’s as needed. We need an EVALUATOR to determine who stays, and who goes. I think if the Lions can bring in such a person, we can have a competitive team within two drafts.
Thomas Golubic
Basking Ridge, NJ
A: Thomas: I’m in the minority on this, but I wouldn’t have waited for Parcells. Not because he isn’t talented, but because I don’t trust him. You could have a press conference announced for noon to introduce him, and he could easily back out at 11:59, and then you’re stuck.
You’re write about the draft. As Jimmy Johnson said in an interivew I sat in on a few years ago, draft picks are your bullets. The Lions have misfired. Mahyew believes in building through the draft, and he openly questioned some picks on Tuesday.
Hey, if it gets too much to be a Lions fan, root for the Devils. Or Rutgers.
Q: I ‘m just a fan. This crappy season has been even tougher to stomach without your columns to give some perspective. The only positive has been finding your site. Keep it up. By the way get some advertising so you can be motivated money as well as us fans. Thanks.
Dennis Wingle
A: Dennis: Thanks, but it’s not about the money (OK, that’s a lie. I’ll tell you where to send the check!). The season was tough on everyone.
Hang in there. Better days are ahead.
IQ: knew it wouldn’t take you long to jump on the Schottenheimer bandwagon.
He’s fine if you don’t want to reach the Super Bowl.
I agree he can turn things around….but can he get them to the next level?
History would say no.
Hiring Schottenheimer is saying we will have to eventually hire the coach
who will take them to the Super Bowl.
Marty would be the interim….the Rick Carlisle to Larry Brown.
Of course nothing much matters after a certain person was named President
of the team!
A: I’ve never been off the Schottenheimer background. Look at his record, and he’s done it without star-quality quarterbacks at every stop—except Kansas City, where he had Joe Montana at the end of the line.
Q: Hi Mike,
As a very disappointed long time Lions fan I think it is time for Ford to start thinking out side of the box.
If he wants a a team that gets things done, he needs a coach that gets things done.
That is William James Myers, ( George “The Animal Steele”)
Before this is dismissed as a uneducated remark, look at what this guy as done and what he as a human being
stands for.
If this is not the man to make a team there is no other.
I am from Madison Heights, Mi. and have meet and watched this man for a long time. If a poll was taken, this man would be the one at the top of the list of anyone who really has an idea of what it takes to make a “TEAM”
Pass this in the circles that would get attention, and let there be a chance for the great team “Lions” to be a real team.
Mark Hatcher
Louisville, KY.
A: Mark: Sorry, but I always was a fan of Dick the Bruiser. My hero. I always loved the villains. I used to have the Bruiser’s home phone number in Indianapolis. Still have the message with his number on it. Priceless.
Q: Mike, I hate them. I am a native Detroiter who caught the bug while listening to the great Van Patrick cover the 1962 Thanksgiving Day game. As the years rolled on, I found myself working my way through U-D at the Detroit News as a driver/jumper. I remember those long Sunday midnight shifts counting down the hours until the Lions would be on TV that afternoon - that particular vintage featuring Landry, Barney, Farr, etc. I loved them and the sport so much I could taste it. When their games came on the radio featuring the instrumental version of “Gridiron Heroes” as their theme, I could feel my skin tingle. As the years went on, I grew less avid, but still very interested during the eras of Billy Sims and Barry Sanders,
But for the last few years, I’ve hated them. I rooted against them at every turn, feeling like they’ve broken my heart every year since those years in the early 60’s. I never accepted (however I did understand) how beat writers like you and Killer and Sylvester could keep writing positive things about them. Illustrative of that would be the annual Kowalski missive of “Kalimba Looks for Breakout Year”. And then when they fired Champion for the likes of Dan Miller, that was the final straw for me. Miller, on the 0-14 week, called a “Touchdown - Detroit Lions” item that was rife with: 1) finally my team gets something it deserves; 2) my team has still persevered and has now this striking achievement; 3) “in your face, all you malcontents”. It was like a Dan Dickerson 2003 home run call.
Anyway, I hate them. And I’m increasingly annoyed with those who continue to toss money their way, passing it off as “...we’re the real fans.“ I’ve listened to you on ‘JR and note that you’ve become increasingly hostile towards them as well.
I really think Bill hates this town, its fans, and its media. And this is just the latest instance of “I’ll show you”.
Regards,
Bob Heitjan
A: Bob: I was born hostile. I slapped the doctor back twice.
I’d never say William Clay Ford hates Detroit. The Fords are among the most phialthropic, generous families in the history of this region. And no jokes. It’s not because their football team gives away games. I understand your passion.
Q: Mike,
I always enjoyed your columns in The News and I was thrilled to find mikeoharasports.com today. Congratulations on setting up a first-class website and keep up the great work.
Best regards,
Fraser
A: Thanks for the nice words. I appreciate them. It’s the readers who make the website. Thanks for contributing your thoughts. By the way, I remember covering basketball games against Western Ontario.
Q: Mr. Mike O’Hara;
Dan Diaz here…
Heard about your new site from a WJR radio broadcast. The functionality of links, intuitive ease of navigation, and easy on the eye appearance add up to a very professional presentation. Thanks for your efforts.
Do you recall being acquainted with Juan Diaz (or “Mexicali Juan” as Coach Vitale would refer him)? Juan was my Dad, and because Mom worked at the “O & E”, while free-lancing w/the dailies, the family kept track of the local scribes. Which brings us to…
The site looks great, here is a proof detail FYI.
At the “/about” link page your High School name has an extra letter “i” included with the word “Pershin(i)g”
As a professional web builder (click http://www.brotherangel.com or http://www.trimatic.net for some recent results), new sites are always interesting, and yours is very informative. Keep up the great work, and drop me a line if my skill-set can be of assistance.
Hope that backswing is low and slow;
Dan Diaz from Livonia
A: Dan: I remember your Dan very well. He was one of the may passionate, loyal fans of University of Detroit basketball. Maybe they can revive the old Dick Vitale days. And thanks for pointing out the typo. I’m figuring out how to fix things. I’m a writer, not a technician.
Q: Mike:
Do you think William Clay Ford will fire Rod Marinelli after Sunday’s game at Green Bay?
M.O. Detroit
A: Just between me and me, I did. And he did.
Q: Jerome,
This is really good stuff. Love it. Jerome
A: Jerome: Thanks. Hope you took a lunch break to read it.
QMike,
I’ve missed your burning questions article every week this year. Glad to see it back.
A: David: I missed them, too. I’m glad they’re back.
Q: Mr O’Hara,
To our family to yours: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Keep building your site - we enjoy your musings!
The Hamicks
Mt Clemens, MI
A: Thanks, again, for the nice thoughts. Let’s all look forward to a better ‘09—for our cars, our mayors, our economy and our sports teams.
Q: Glad to see a true “tell it like it is” Mike O’Hara back in print.
I knew you’d make it some day.
By the way, get a new picture!
M. Champion, Oakland County
A: There was a guy with your name who used to broadcast Lions games. Champion. I thought he should have had a different last name.
I don’t need a new picture. I need a new face.
Q: Mr O’Hara,
I have to tell you, many of us miss your articles/insight in the News. I didn’t
know about this site until the drive in this morning when I was channel
scanning and heard WJR mention of it.
As an embarassed Lions fan, I wanted to tell you how much my family has
appreciated your hard work and thoughtful insights. You are truly a pro’s pro -
and thank you!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and your family,
Steve Hamick
A: I appreciate that. It’s fun doing this again.
Q: Good Morning Mr. O’Hara
I just wanted to say that I love listening to WJR in the morning on the way to work and to hear you and Steve! Great duo and I know you are retired but please stay close to the mic and newsprint!
Sincerely
Michael Heraty
A: Steve’s the funniest man on radio in Detroit. I just wish he’d get my middle initial right one of these mornings. Thanks for listneing, and writing.
Q: Mike,
Tell me the Lions are not going to hire one more person and leave decision making up to a trio to make. Does that mean two out of three votes wins any debate.
Seriously though, the Lions had the right idea when they hired Millen. They just didn’t hire the right person. They need to bring in a person who has experience in the front office and get this mess straightened up. I still believe the lions can win but you need to bring in a person who can look past 50 years of poor decisions. Any idea who this person might be.
Also, don’t want you to comment on who the Lions will pick, but would you take a quarterback number one if one is rated that highly, or do you concentrate on the offensive and defensive lines. I think if you go qb with the first pick you need to come back with an offensive lineman with the second first round pick.
A: Steve: You already know how the front-office decision played out. As for the draft, I’d take a quarterback, but only if he’s rated at the top of the draft. That means I’d draft a Matt Ryan first overall, but not a Joe Flacco. They need defense, defense and more defense. They can’t stop anybody. See who they get in free-agency, then work the draft. I think they got some good young players the last three drafts, but they need two more drafts.
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