Saturday, December 29, 2007

So much for the Mike Martz experience...

Word comes from the LA Times tonight that Mike "Running game? What's a running game?" Martz, as expected, is out as Lions offensive coordinator after tomorrow's Packers game. Why the LA Times? Because Martz may be taking the advice of Horace Greeely seriously. That being "Go west, young man."

But Martz may not be out of a job long. San Francisco is expected to pursue him to take over for offensive coordinator Jim Hostler. Martz, who coached the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl in 2001, appeals to the 49ers because of his familiarity with the NFC West and his ability to develop quarterbacks, as he has done with Kurt Warner, Marc Bulger and Jon Kitna.

Martz might as well call himself Paladin, and hand out business cards that say, "Have passing game, will travel."

Not that it's going to make any difference, now that Martz has all but one foot out the door, the Killer believes current receivers coach Kippy Brown will be promoted to take Martz's place. Between you and me, I wouldn't trust anything, especially an NFL offense, run by someone named Kippy.

Looking back, if one thing can be gleaned from 2 seasons of watching a Mike Martz run offense, it's that Martz isn't exactly a genius, and it's the players make the scheme, not vice versa. You want to know the main reason why Martz failed miserably in Detroit? Jon Kitna, Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson, and Kevin Jones aren't Kurt Warner, Issac Bruce, Torry Holt, and Marshall Faulk.

Without that all-pro talent, the "Greatest show on turf" never made an appearance in Detroit. Not that Martz didn't try, with his picking up any and every former Ram that hit free agency and the waiver wire. Turned out that Az-Akim isn't Torry Holt either...

So what is the final verdict on Mike Martz's 2 seasons of running the Lions offense?

2 comments:

  1. Well, this is a start. Now if the other M.M. gets the boot my Christmas wishes will be answered.

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  2. "What we need is some new deck chairs!"

    -- Edward Smith, Captain, The Titanic

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