[AugustaRamFan]

Things are all relative for the Rams. Let's take this past season. Yes, the Rams made the playoffs, but they are playing in the weakest Div and Conference. Teams that are 8-8 should not be in the playoffs. (Yet, as a fan it sure beats not making the playoffs - I have to admit.)

Making the playoffs was still a hollow victory this year. Can we all admit that? They got thier jocks handed to them by the Dirty Birds.

Martzie still lacks game management and player motivation skills. The team played without any emotion for much of 2004 and lost to teams that they should have beaten (Dolfins and Cardinals). This may give some insight into Martzies play selection (and run/pass balance) and game preparation.

Heck, Martzie even admits that he gets two wrapped up in the play to play action of games and loses sight of the overall game (big picture).

Martzie has no respect for four key phases of the game:
1) Ball security, because he still thinks the O can score 35+ points per game,
2) Clock/Game management (time out usage),
3) Player motivation (Says the wrong things at the right times...), and
4) Special teams play.

I would take average performance in two of the four areas above. It would be difficult to measure, but if Martzie were average in half the areas (pick any two), might the team have done better than it has since 2000? In the GSOT days, the O overwhelmed other team and lapses in any of the four areas mentioned above could be (and often were) overcome. That does not elininate the weaknesses, in fact these weaknesses are amplified in the absense of the offense.

Furthermore, these deficient areas (along with the defensive line play) have largely remained weak areas consistently since 2000. Perhaps his ego, will not allow hom to see his own weaknesses. In fact, one could argue that Martzie was out coached by Bill Belichick(sp?)in the SB. The Pats dared Martz to throw the ball and he did....Say what you will, buy that was "The One" that got away and Martzie was the man on the hook for may key decisions.

Yes, the Rams have lost a lot of talented FA (and some we were even happy to see leave). Yes, the Rams have a very young team defensively. Yes, the Rams have had decent success, but that success seems to have been muted by many of Martzie's shortcomings.