sportspig.com

He is still targeted as a punchline among NFL fans, but Lions President Matt Millen appears to finally be getting an idea of how to run a football team.

Lions president Matt Millen still has the final say in all personnel moves, but first-year coach Rod Marinelli has been given greater influence in those decisions than past coaches. Millen has such regard for Marinelli’s strategy for rebuilding the team that he agreed to get rid of two of his favorite players: QB Joey Harrington and DT Dan Wilkinson. Another big decision could be coming involving WR Charles Rogers, who is at a crossroad. Millen is convinced Rogers can be a productive player, but if Marinelli wants to get rid of Rogers after training camp, Millen is not expected to stand in his way.

Millen is going to really benefit from Rod Marinelli being the head coach and I believe his hiring will go down as the best thing Millen ever could have done for the Lions franchise.

Read Inside Dish: Owner wants Young to start on Dec. 10 at Yahoo! Sports