We have to admit struggling a bit this week in regard to Super Bowl storylines. The two-week gap always cripples interest in the game. There’s that 48-hour burst of excitement after the conference championship games end … and then fluff for the next week. Bloggers and the media can only feign interest in contrived storylines and listicles for so long before it all becomes tedious. How many times can one read about the various ways of trying to stop Larry Fitzgerald? (Simple answer: Ask Willis McGahee or Wes Welker.)

In perusing media-related stories, this headline caught our eye: WHERE’S MILLEN?

The architect of the worst team in NFL history was mysteriously absent on media day.

“Things didn’t work out obviously in Detroit, but that doesn’t make him any less a man,” NBC analyst John Madden said. “That doesn’t mean he has to go hide. I think the Super Bowl’s good for him, and I think he’ll be back in broadcasting, and I think he’ll do very well.”

The article is written in a way that seemingly attempts to make Millen a sympathetic figure. Perhaps it is the quotes from all of Millen’s new NBC buddies (Madden makes one phone call and Millen’s got the gig). Here’s the point that is missed: Millen failed. Spectacularly. He drove a franchise into the ground like few in NFL history have done. And he’s rewarded with a high-profile TV analyst job. That’s the most basic question that wasn’t asked of Jerome Bettis, Dan Patrick and John Madden.

When you fail on a historical level, how can you possibly be rewarded? This isn’t to suggest Millen should dig a grave and crawl into it … but of all the possible analysts you could have acquired, you pick a guy who clearly has proven his inability to build a winner? Most coaches who flop usually take a year off to recover – perhaps because they’re not in high-demand. NBC waited a few weeks before scooping up Millen.

Where’s Millen? (Detroit Free Press)