Record of 31-84 gets Millen fired as Detroit's GM

Matt Millen was fired yesterday after seven-plus years as president of the Detroit Lions.

Once an acclaimed TV analyst and Super Bowl-winning linebacker, Millen took over one of the NFL's mediocre franchises - and made it the worst.

"I have relieved Matt Millen of his duties effective immediately," Lions owner William Clay Ford said in a statement.

Millen did not return calls seeking comment. His teams won only 31 games, a league low, since he took over in 2001. Detroit was routed in each of its first three games this season and the 0-3 record dropped Millen to 31-84 overall, giving the Lions at least 10 more losses than any other NFL team since 2001.

Executive vice president Tom Lewand will report to the owner on business issues, and general manager Martin Mayhew will report to the owner on football matters, the Lions said.

The former Penn State standout was a linebacker from 1980 to 1991 with the Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins. He has four Super Bowl rings.

Giants. Less than a month after handing the man who caught the winning pass in the Super Bowl a $35 million contract, the team suspended Plaxico Burress for one game for missing a practice and not calling to explain his absence. The suspension will cost him approximately $235,000.

Burress' agent insisted the nine-year veteran had an undisclosed family emergency on Monday. He planned to appeal the ban to the NFL Players Association.

Also, former all-pro defensive back and longtime Giants broadcaster Dick Lynch died yesterday at 72. He was believed to be suffering from leukemia. Lynch led the NFL in interceptions in 1961 and tied for first in 1963.

Jets. Brett Favre almost assuredly will make consecutive start No. 257 on Sunday against the Cardinals despite an aching left ankle. The 38-year-old quarterback's activities will be limited at practice.

Saints. New Orleans released reserve quarterback Joey Harrington only five days after signing him.

The Saints also signed tight end Sean Ryan to compensate for the loss of Jeremy Shockey to a sports hernia.

Panthers. Carolina re-signed linebacker Donte Curry to replace the injured Dan Connor.

The former Strath Haven and Penn State star was placed on injured reserve. He will undergo surgery at an undetermined date to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Colts. Indianapolis signed David Greene, the former Georgia quarterback who broke Peyton Manning's NCAA major college record for victories.

Manning left Tennessee with a Division I-A record 39 wins, a mark that stood until Greene won 42 games at Georgia. Manning also held the SEC record for yards passing (11,201) until Greene broke that. Greene finished his four-year career with 11,270 yards.

Packers. Cornerback Al Harris has a "serious" spleen injury that requires a cautious approach, but he has not been ruled out for the rest of the season, Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said.

"I'm hopeful he'll be back," McCarthy said. "The time frame just hasn't been established."

Noteworthy. The Jacksonville Jaguars placed backup cornerback Scott Starks on injured reserve and signed journeyman Omare Lowe. . . . Receiver Roscoe Parrish will miss four to six weeks after having surgery to repair ligament damage in his right thumb, Buffalo Bills coach Dick Jauron said. . . . The Cleveland Browns will stick with quarterback Derek Anderson, coach Romeo Crennel said. . . . The St. Louis Rams released cornerback Fakhir Brown, a starter in the previous two seasons. . . . The New England Patriots signed wide receiver Maurice Price. . . . For the third week in a row, winless Kansas City is making a change at quarterback, with Damon Huard getting the nod over Tyler Thigpen.

Concussion research. Former Archbishop Ryan star Frank Wycheck is one of six former NFL players who have agreed to donate their brains after their deaths to advance concussion research.

Conducting the study is the new Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, a joint program between the Boston University School of Medicine and Sports Legacy Institute.

Other former NFL players are Ted Johnson, Ben Lynch, Bernie Parrish, Bruce Laird and Isaiah Kacyvenski.