http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/7741349
Sept. 30, 2004
By Pete Prisco
SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Something to watch: Indications are that Rams coach Mike Martz may have his eyes on the Chargers job when it comes open after the season, which it will when Marty Schottenheimer is let go. Martz is a West Coast guy who started his college coaching career at San Diego Mesa Community College, and with his team 1-2 in St. Louis, he's starting to feel the heat. Martz snapped at reporters this week when questioned about his offense and his inflexibility about running the ball. If the Rams don't get it turned around, it wouldn't be a shock to see Martz either leave or be let go. The guy is an outstanding offensive mind, but he has made some questionable personnel decisions in recent years that have set this team back. His game-day management also leaves a lot to be desired. Martz does things like going for it on fourth down in overtime in his own end, which he did against the Saints. The Rams made it, but ultimately they were forced to punt and lost when the Saints kicked a game-winning field goal on the next possession. Martz is taking a beating from the fans in St. Louis --- plenty of them e-mail me, too -- and he has been said to be tense all week. Is this the end of the Rams as we know them the past five years? A loss at San Francisco this week will make the seat under Martz's behind even hotter.