_“Pete, you know this Walter Football character?”_
Whenever Joe reads or hears this, it makes Joe sad.
There were few better, more tougher ballplayers than Matt Millen. This is a guy Joe still thinks ought to be in the Hall of Fame.
Millen was both an excellent linebacker and a winner. Won at Penn State. Won rings with the Raiders, the 49ers and the Redskins. Not too many guys won a Super Bowl with three NFL teams.
And Millen was both a smart player and an enforcer. He famously decked New England general manager Patrick Sullivan after a playoff game for Sullivan constantly running his mouth at Howie Long.
Oh, and the Patriots suit Millen blasted just happened to be the son of the owner, too. LOL
Joe loved how Millen was as old school, gritty and tough as they came.
And, as a network analyst, he looked to be the heir apparent to John Madden. You know, emotional tough guy who enthusiastically applauded good physical play.
But Millen’s golden reputation was thrown away when he took a gig as Lions general manager/president (2001-2008). The Lions were awful and way too many people have no clue about Millen the player or Millen the broadcaster as a result.
And way too many wiseacres always take potshots at him as a result. _#Sad_
Walter Cherepinsky is one of those people. The man who goes by the moniker of his website, WalterFootball.com, Joe normally likes Cherepinsky’s site. But sometimes with really dumb comments, Joe has to take an exception.
In his [2025 preview of the Bucs](https://walterfootball.com/offseason2025tb.php), Cherepinsky continued his diatribe that he began this spring against Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
Cherepinsky was so outraged Licht drafted Emeka Egbuka at No. 19, Cherepinsky has been on the warpath since, labeling Licht as “Millen” for his grade of Licht drafting Egbuka.
> **19\. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State – MILLEN Grade**
>
> HUUUUHHHHHH!?!??! What a strange pick. The Buccaneers not only re-signed Chris Godwin; they also drafted Jalen McMillan last year. Oh, and they have Mike Evans. Why do they need another receiver? What about the horrible defense? What is happening with this bizarre draft? This is a reach, and it doesn’t fill a need at all. A team drafting too many receivers sounds like a Millen to me.
Joe thought Cherepinsky was smarter than this.
First, when Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were both out last season, the Bucs’ production from receivers was downright terrible.
Second, Evans is in a contract year. Does Cherepinsky know Evans will return or even play? That would be a helluva scoop. Joe can tell you the Bucs don’t even know.
Third, apparently, Cherepinsky is also a psychic. How does Cherepinsky know Godwin will even suit up Week 1, much less be back 100 percent after having his ankle destroyed last season?
Joe thinks Cherepinsky is much better than this. Referring to Licht as “Millen” because he drafted Egbuka is really sloppy research. Cherepinsky should be above such baseless knee-jerk reactions.