Bly points finger for firing at Harrington ESPN.com news services At least two Detroit Lions players remained in Steve Mariucci's corner Monday. Cornerback Dre' Bly and quarterback Jeff Garcia both thought the blame for the team's poor record shouldn't have rested on the now ex-coach. "If we'd had production on offense, in particular the quarterback position, Mooch wouldn't have been fired," Bly told the Detroit Free Press. "If Jeff Garcia hadn't gotten hurt, we wouldn't be in this position today. Mooch wouldn't have gotten fired." Garcia missed the first five games after breaking his leg in the final preseason game. He started twice -- winning in Cleveland and losing to Chicago -- but then missed the Minnesota, Arizona and Dallas games with soreness in the leg. "We're all at fault, but I just feel like Joey [Harrington]'s been here four years, and being the No. 3 pick in the draft, he hasn't given us anything," Bly told the paper. "He hasn't given us what the third pick in the draft should give us." Garcia, who played for Mariucci in San Francisco, pointed to the Lions front office. "You start to question whether the organization has the people in place who can go about making the proper selections," Garcia told WXYT-AM, according to the paper. "You really have to question that." General manager Matt Millen hired both Mariucci and his predecessor, Marty Mornhinweg, and drafted or signed most of the current players. Since Millen took over in 2001, Detroit is an NFL-worst 20-55. He fired Mariucci after two-plus seasons and a 15-28 record. The Lions promoted defensive coordinator Dick Jauron to succeed him on an interim basis. I tend to agree with Dre Bly. Joey Harrington has been nothing short of awful this year. But a lot of it goes to the fact that Matt Millen has ignored the holes on the O-line and defense, and drafted WR's with the 1st round pick the last 3 years. Last year, that fool drafted Mike Williams while guys like Jammal Brown, Demarcus Ware, and Derrick Johnson were still on the board. Bottom line is that Mooch didn't deserve to be fired. He was the right coach, dealing with the wrong personnel.
About damn time someone called out Mr. Harrington. With a name like Dre, you have the license to say whatever you want.
I don't necessarily like it when players call out teammates like this, but Dre Bly is one of my favorite players, so he gets a pass. Plus, he kicks total ass, compared to everyone else on that team.
I read somewhere that under Millen, the Lions have had the worst 5 years in their history. They even gave him an extension before the beginning of the season. While I completely agree with what Bly said, I don't agree with throwing Harrington under the bus.
Just a quick thing to point out... Terrell Owens called out McNabb and everyone jumped all over him but Dre Bly calls out Harrington and he's a hero. That's not to say Owens did anything right. He was a jerk, an idiot, and just wrecked that team. However, as bad as he is, this seems to be a slight double standard. People hate Owens more than Dre Bly and they like Donavan McNabb more than Joey Harrington. Although granted there are still significant differences in terms of the situation in Detroit and Philly.
would mariucci have picked someone else other than harrington with that 3rd pick?? is he not at all responsible for the development, or lack thereof, of a young QB???
You just answered your own question. Donovan McNabb is a hero to Philly. Harrington is a lame duck in Detroit. Dre Bly is respected and rarely speaks out. Terrell Owens is a pompous, loudmouth jackass. Detroit hasn't won anything in about a decade. Philly has been king of the NFC for nearly 5 years.
So, if McNabb sucked, it wouldn't be nearly as bad to say what Owens said? That's the first time I've heard that argument.
I don't understand what good can come out of criticizing your teammates in public. Go to management if you have a complaint but don't air the dirty laundry in the press.
if McNabb sucked, for 4 years in a row, and Owens made those comments it wouldn't be "OK" but it would be a little more justified.. at least he has some cause to criticize him.. instead of unwarranted criticism.
This should never happen, you don't do that to your teammates. I'm sure a few of the texans would like to do the same thing with Carr, but hopefully have more class than to do so. Either way, this is no different from what TO did, not one bit.
Just for the record Harrington and Carr have very similar numbers over the past 4 years. So are you saying that Carr has sucked for 4 years in a row? Just curious....
Carr never had anything resembling a good O-line in those four years. Harrington has had a decent if not good O-line to give him pocket time. Carr has had only one threat at wideout. Harrington has had Charles Rogers (albeit it not for long since he's so injury prone), then Roy Williams and Charles Rogers, and now both Williams' and Rogers. Carr has had to play within an offensive scheme that has no imagination whatsoever. Harrington is playing in an effective (albeit harder to learn) West Coast Offense. So in essence Carr has had far less to work with than Harrington. I always say if you had switched QBs, Carr would probably be putting up very good stats in Detroit right now.
