Mike Martz in San Diego? (1 Viewer)

[Jous]

Does Martz have a shot to be head coach? He seems like a somewhat sensible candidate out of all the ones left, of which there aren't that many. I still think he deserves one more shot as a head coach

 

[Despyzer]

I don't see this as a great match. Martz is a pretty well-known egotist. I doubt he would co-exist with AJ very well. I'd also be concerned about how he underutilized Faulk once he took over as head coach. Tomlinson has to remain the focus of this offense until he proves he can no longer do it.

 

[Jous]

I don't see this as a great match. Martz is a pretty well-known egotist. I doubt he would co-exist with AJ very well. I'd also be concerned about how he underutilized Faulk once he took over as head coach. Tomlinson has to remain the focus of this offense until he proves he can no longer do it.

True, but Martz has also shown he can get the most out of his QB's and WR's. Last year he managed to turn Kitna into a 20 TD, 4,000 yard passer, turned Roy Williams' career back around and made Mike Furry into a 1,000 yard WR. Hell, in 2005 even Ryan Fitzpatrick managed to have a hell of a game one time for him. With a young QB in Rivers who struggled a bit down the stretch, and an a lack of WR talent in San Diego, Martz could be just the guy to come to the rescue.

 

[Despyzer]

a lack of WR talent in San Diego

For whatever it is worth, The Sporting News ranked the Chargers' receiving corps a 4 out of 5. I can't remember if they graded TEs separately or not.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Martz lives in SD. But besides Miami, I dont think he had a nibble this offseason so far.

Not a good match IMO.

I really think it's goin to be Norv or Mora Jr.

 

[Jous]

a lack of WR talent in San Diego

For whatever it is worth, The Sporting News ranked the Chargers' receiving corps a 4 out of 5. I can't remember if they graded TEs separately or not.

I'm guessing they had to include Gates. Even with him, a 4 out of 5 might have been slightly generous. McCardell is slipping, Parker is probably just a #3 WR, so the only chance at a big-time WR they have is Vincent Jackson, who may or may not develop into one.

 

[Domination]

I don't think that Martz would be a good fit, but do think he could fix their offensive problems.

Something that I have bee thinking about since yesterday. I think that they already have a candidate lined up. It would have seemed odd for them to go out of the organization to get a HC, when everyone thouhg that they had 1 or 2 already there. I think that they did not want to promote Phillips, and once he was gone made this move easier. To me the timing of his firing just seems wrong. If they were going to do it, then they should have right after the season. Allowing themselves time to get a new staff in place and for that staff to have a full off season to prepare.

 

[Despyzer]

I think that they did not want to promote Phillips, and once he was gone made this move easier.

I think that's entirely possible. I remember hearing a year or so ago (although I couldn't possibly pull up a link) that Phillips had language in his contract allowing him to move into the HC position pending a vacancy.

 

[Chase Stuart]

I'd also be concerned about how he underutilized Faulk once he took over as head coach.

Martz took over as coach when Faulk was 27 years old. He had some durability problems, missing two games each of those years. He ranked 13th all time in touches by a player aged 27-29, and 7th or 8th (depending on if you want to say Edgerrin James' 31 games played qualifies) in touches per game by a player during those ages.He had more touches per game than Thurman Thomas, Tiki Barber, O.J. Simpson, Walter Payton, Curtis Martin, Stephen Davis, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Tony Dorsett or Jerome Bettis had at aged 27-29.After being hurt most of the first half of his age 30 season, Faulk had 198 touches over his last 8 games, which is slightly higher than his rate from the previous three years. At age 31, Faulk was a shell of his former self, and Steven Jackson got a good amount of carries. Faulk still ranked in the top 20 all time in touches by a 31 year old RB.Martz used Faulk plenty, but he broke down (which you can't argue is Martz' fault since you're arguing that he didn't use him enough earlier).

 

[Domination]

I think that they did not want to promote Phillips, and once he was gone made this move easier.

I think that's entirely possible. I remember hearing a year or so ago (although I couldn't possibly pull up a link) that Phillips had language in his contract allowing him to move into the HC position pending a vacancy.

Also wouldn't surprise me if they wanted to wait for all other vacancies to fill before letting Marty go. As Smith's last jab at Marty. I think it will be a college coach, but not Carroll.

 

[chris1969]

What they need is a guy the players would respect, that wouldn't change the philosphy too much, without an EGO so he gets along with AJ and able to get the most effort out of his players. That definately doesn't sound like Martz. The more I think about it, it sounds like Mike Singletary.

 

[Blackjacks]

Martz does deserve another chance to coach in the NFL....he just isn't a good match for S.D. Martz is a gambler as where SD needs a reliable consistent coach. Martz could take a bad team to be good or atleast descent but I don't know if he could take a good team to be great. He does hold a very good overall record and he did make the playoffs 4 out of 6 years. For Martz to be a good head coach he needs someone to be in charge of personnel and a strong structure built around him to keep him under control.

I'm guessing this will be Mike Sherman when everything is said and done.

 

[Blackjacks]

I'd also be concerned about how he underutilized Faulk once he took over as head coach.

Martz took over as coach when Faulk was 27 years old. He had some durability problems, missing two games each of those years. He ranked 13th all time in touches by a player aged 27-29, and 7th or 8th (depending on if you want to say Edgerrin James' 31 games played qualifies) in touches per game by a player during those ages.He had more touches per game than Thurman Thomas, Tiki Barber, O.J. Simpson, Walter Payton, Curtis Martin, Stephen Davis, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Tony Dorsett or Jerome Bettis had at aged 27-29.After being hurt most of the first half of his age 30 season, Faulk had 198 touches over his last 8 games, which is slightly higher than his rate from the previous three years. At age 31, Faulk was a shell of his former self, and Steven Jackson got a good amount of carries. Faulk still ranked in the top 20 all time in touches by a 31 year old RB.Martz used Faulk plenty, but he broke down (which you can't argue is Martz' fault since you're arguing that he didn't use him enough earlier).

Rams fan here and that's just what I was thinking. I never thought we didn't see enough of Faulk. I thought Martz got the ball in all of his gamebreakers hands however possible.

 

[Despyzer]

I'd also be concerned about how he underutilized Faulk once he took over as head coach.

Martz took over as coach when Faulk was 27 years old. He had some durability problems, missing two games each of those years. He ranked 13th all time in touches by a player aged 27-29, and 7th or 8th (depending on if you want to say Edgerrin James' 31 games played qualifies) in touches per game by a player during those ages.He had more touches per game than Thurman Thomas, Tiki Barber, O.J. Simpson, Walter Payton, Curtis Martin, Stephen Davis, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Tony Dorsett or Jerome Bettis had at aged 27-29.After being hurt most of the first half of his age 30 season, Faulk had 198 touches over his last 8 games, which is slightly higher than his rate from the previous three years. At age 31, Faulk was a shell of his former self, and Steven Jackson got a good amount of carries. Faulk still ranked in the top 20 all time in touches by a 31 year old RB.Martz used Faulk plenty, but he broke down (which you can't argue is Martz' fault since you're arguing that he didn't use him enough earlier).

Fair enough. I was relying primarily on memories of talking heads (like Mike Wilbon) complaining about Martz not getting the ball to Faulk enough instead of looking at the numbers. In Martz's first two seasons, Faulks' numbers were almost identical to his last year with Vermeil, and those numbers declined but didn't fall off dramatically until 2005.

 

[-OZ-]

Also wouldn't surprise me if they wanted to wait for all other vacancies to fill before letting Marty go. As Smith's last jab at Marty. I think it will be a college coach, but not Carroll.

I recommend: This guyFor all the ulterior reasons, but also because he deserves it.

 

[Banger]

Martz does deserve another chance to coach in the NFL....he just isn't a good match for S.D. Martz is a gambler as where SD needs a reliable consistent coach. Martz could take a bad team to be good or atleast descent but I don't know if he could take a good team to be great. He does hold a very good overall record and he did make the playoffs 4 out of 6 years. For Martz to be a good head coach he needs someone to be in charge of personnel and a strong structure built around him to keep him under control.

Agreed. SD already had the best offense in the league so they don't really need his expertise on that side of the ball.

 

[thesurfshop19]

Fair enough. I was relying primarily on memories of talking heads (like Mike Wilbon) complaining about Martz not getting the ball to Faulk enough instead of looking at the numbers. In Martz's first two seasons, Faulks' numbers were almost identical to his last year with Vermeil, and those numbers declined but didn't fall off dramatically until 2005.

Yeah, the Wilbon and Wingo talking head types always try to pass this off as fact and that's simply not the case. Martz's offense won a ton of fantasy owners their league championships, so it seems ridiculous to complain that the same player was "underutilized".The other misconception is that the 2001 Rams were dominated and "should have run the ball more". The Rams lost because they lost the turnover battle 3-0 leading directly to 17 of the 20 Patriots points. They outgained the Patriots by over 150 yards and had no problems moving the ball. Now, if we retroactively change the 3 passes that were turnovers into runs, sure, the Rams probably win. But the Rams' passing game was risky all year and arguably the reason they were so prolific (willing to take chances), so you take the risk witht the reward. Martz was outcoached by Belichick, sure. That's not necessarily the most embarrassing thing in the world! (Also, the 1999 Rams won the Super Bowl running the ball far less.)

 

[JohnnyU]

Without reading every post in this thread, I was watching NFL Live yesterday and they indicated that Martz ISN'T an option because of the control factor with AJ.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Fair enough. I was relying primarily on memories of talking heads (like Mike Wilbon) complaining about Martz not getting the ball to Faulk enough instead of looking at the numbers. In Martz's first two seasons, Faulks' numbers were almost identical to his last year with Vermeil, and those numbers declined but didn't fall off dramatically until 2005.

Yeah, the Wilbon and Wingo talking head types always try to pass this off as fact and that's simply not the case. Martz's offense won a ton of fantasy owners their league championships, so it seems ridiculous to complain that the same player was "underutilized".The other misconception is that the 2001 Rams were dominated and "should have run the ball more". The Rams lost because they lost the turnover battle 3-0 leading directly to 17 of the 20 Patriots points. They outgained the Patriots by over 150 yards and had no problems moving the ball. Now, if we retroactively change the 3 passes that were turnovers into runs, sure, the Rams probably win. But the Rams' passing game was risky all year and arguably the reason they were so prolific (willing to take chances), so you take the risk witht the reward. Martz was outcoached by Belichick, sure. That's not necessarily the most embarrassing thing in the world! (Also, the 1999 Rams won the Super Bowl running the ball far less.)

 

[ozark]

Being a Martz fan, believe that his best bet would be to take a team that is down and have a chance to win. SD is a team that if the new coach does not win the super bowl..... ? Besides, John Shaw (Pres. of Rams lives in LA and is a good friend of the ower of the Charges) and Martz did not part on good terms. Mike's comment that Shaw did not want to win another super bowl because it would cost too much money to paid the players did not endear him to managerment. Martz will do fine with another team.

 

[Despyzer]

Whoever gets hired, I don't think AJ is going to have an itchy trigger figure with him. First of all, whoever is hired is going to be someone that AJ feels is already in his camp, and Smith is going to want to prove that he can get along with whomever the next guy is.

 

[DrJ]

The Rams lost because they lost the turnover battle 3-0 leading directly to 17 of the 20 Patriots points.

And yet somehow, Brady won the MVP award with a 16 for 27 for 145 yard and 1 TD performance. And that game is still being used as evidence of him being some sort of golden boy. (3 rings!!!)

 

[Ghost Rider]

IIRC, the games where it seemed like Martz underutilized Faulk, those were often games where the other team was stuffing the run, and Martz always said that he didn't like running the ball and getting almost nothing, just to prove a point. In other words, he figured a pass play was more likely to work at gaining yardage than a running play that was destined to get almost nothing. I know there is a school of thought that says that if you keep pounding the ball, those 1- and 2-yard gains will become 8- and 10- yard gains in the 4th quarter, but Faulk was obviously not the kind of back who would wear a defense down.

 

[thesurfshop19]

The Rams lost because they lost the turnover battle 3-0 leading directly to 17 of the 20 Patriots points.

And yet somehow, Brady won the MVP award with a 16 for 27 for 145 yard and 1 TD performance. And that game is still being used as evidence of him being some sort of golden boy. (3 rings!!!)

I'm one of the biggest non-Patriot-fan Brady fan there is, but leading the Patriots to exactly 2 TDs in the 2001 postseason isn't exactly the most impressive thing in the world. I might argue that Brady's 2002 season was way more impressive, not sure but I might.

 

[laxiepoo]

He does hold a very good overall record and he did make the playoffs 4 out of 6 years.

Yeah, but that was the very weak NFC West, in a Dome. This is a much tougher AFC West against Shannahan and Herm Edwards (I don't count the Raiders as a real team =)Martz is a quirky, successful OC, but he had his run as head coach and it didn't pan out. I wouldn't be upset with him as the Chargers OC, but I think we need a stronger head coach.

 

[Jous]

He does hold a very good overall record and he did make the playoffs 4 out of 6 years.

Yeah, but that was the very weak NFC West, in a Dome. This is a much tougher AFC West against Shannahan and Herm Edwards (I don't count the Raiders as a real team =)Martz is a quirky, successful OC, but he had his run as head coach and it didn't pan out. I wouldn't be upset with him as the Chargers OC, but I think we need a stronger head coach.

The NFC didn't really start getting far behind the AFC until 2004...and in 2001, the Rams' Super Bowl year with Martz, the NFC West was stronger than the AFC West. Just throwin that out there...

 

[JohnnyU]

Lions offense coordinator Mike Martz is believed to be "pushing hard" to get an interview with the Chargers about their head-coaching job.

ESPN's John Clayton threw Martz's name into the Chargers' mix in his blog, but MLive.com is shooting the idea down and Profootballtalk.com speculates that Martz would be a poor fit alongside GM A.J. Smith.

Source: Profootballtalk.com

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

I don't think that Martz would be a good fit, but do think he could fix their offensive problems.

FIX their offensive problems?They led the flippin league in points scored last year. What needs fixing?Was it the offense's problem that a dumb effin' DB doesn't know to bat a ball down or intercept and fall to the ground on 4th down?