Matt Millen says he wanted to draft DeMarcus Ware
By Jack Crosby
In the upcoming advertisements for the NFL Network’s ‘A Football Life’ on former NFL great and Detroit Lions executive Matt Millen, they say it best when they point out how impressive Millen was as a player, but then miserably failed as a GM in the league–especially on Draft day.
Some prime examples of April decisions made by Millen that didn’t pan out include, but certainly are not limited to, WR Charles Rogers out of Michigan State, QB Joey Harrington out of Oregon and WR Mike Williams out of USC. All three of them and their lack of success point to how ineffective Millen was as a GM.
But, according to Millen, he never really wanted to pick Mike Williams in the 2005 version of the NFL Draft, rather he wanted to take the man that is still, to this day, terrorizing opposing offenses, has seven Pro Bowls to his credit and has registered 115 career sacks.
Yes, Millen wanted to take Dallas Cowboys standout, DeMarcus Ware.
"“DeMarcus Ware — it wasn’t even close. You put the tape on, you see (the ability). … I just capitulated. It’s nobody’s fault but my own.”"
When it came time for the Lions to make the pick in that first round, Millen says he was basically dead-set on selecting the powerhouse out of Troy, but his scouts talked him into selecting Williams who, at the time, some projected to be the top wideout in the class.