[Rambos]

By Bernie Miklasz
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
10/10/2005


Mike Martz was hooked to an IV for a while when he appeared at Rams Park on Monday. The Rams head coach was about to head back into the hospital for another stay, still reeling from an allergic reaction to the first treatment of antibiotics.

Even now, as doctors try to find the solution to a severe bacterial infection that affects Martz's heart valve, Martz informed team president John Shaw that he aimed to be back on the job in two weeks.

Here's another suggestion for Martz, and I offer this out of sincere concern for a guy I am fond of as a person:

Please walk away, Mike.

There's no use in continuing in a job that has become stressful, brutal, thankless, and dangerous to your physical health and peace of mind.

It's time for Martz to resign as the Rams head coach.

And this has nothing to do with Martz's record or coaching. This has everything to do with Martz's need to get well, rejuvenate, replenish. He has to make a break and start fresh next season - but in a different capacity, and probably a different town.

Why?

Let's review:

* If this job doesn't kill Martz, it probably will jeopardize his health. Martz is completely stressed out. He's insecure and paranoid. He frets over football, front-office politics, his reputation, his real and perceived enemies. Day by day, the pressure is consuming Martz. And while stress didn't cause this illness, stress can impede Martz's recovery.


* The atmosphere is poisonous in St. Louis. The loudest fans despise Martz, and their criticism is hateful and personal. All coaches catch heat from fans, sure. But in my quarter century of covering professional sports, I have never seen a head coach or manager subjected to such vicious and vitriolic personal attacks as Martz is in St. Louis.

Martz's approval rating isn't going to rise anytime soon. The Rams are a mess. And as they continue to slide, this cruel abuse of the head coach will only intensify. And despite what Martz says publicly, this venom wounds him inside. A man trying to recuperate from a serious illness should remove himself from the nonstop barrage.


* Until Shaw recently intervened and ordered the other team's executives to back off, Martz was being ganged up on by people who are being paid to help the coach be successful. Martz never will be able to marshal the kind of unanimous and passionate support he'll need to turn this team around. The dissension will continue in one form or another. The dysfunction can only be detrimental to Martz.


* Before the season, Shaw declined Martz's request for a contract extension. Shaw wanted to wait and see how this season went. Well, this season is unraveling. And I have little doubt that Martz is headed for a postseason ultimatum from Shaw. The issue: defensive coordinator Larry Marmie, Martz's friend. Unless the defense improves dramatically, Rams management will probably insist that Martz fire Marmie, and Martz won't be willing to do that.


* And suppose Shaw decides it's time to bust up this nucleus and start from scratch in a painful reconstruction process? Is Martz willing or able to do that?


But let's return to the main concern. Because more than anything, this should be about a caring father and husband doing everything possible to restore his health.

Martz -- until now, anyway -- hasn't been a model patient. He had complicated back surgery after last season and resumed his full work routine against the doctors' advice.

Like many NFL coaches, Martz can't help himself. He won't ease away from the daily grind. He won't stop putting in the crazy hours that have caused other NFL coaches - remember Dick Vermeil in Philadelphia? - to crack.

What Martz needs is a long, relaxing, therapeutic rest at an oceanfront property, or at a lakeside cabin, or while riding horseback in some wide-open spaces. That's the remedy, in part.

What Martz doesn't need is to inflict more internal damage and sap more of his strength by agonizing over football games in a town where he's treated so shabbily.

There will be OTHER teams to coach in the future, when Martz is refreshed and reloaded.

But this particular team and situation can only be hazardous to Martz's health.

disagree 100% this is Martz team, take as much time as you need Mike if you don't come back until next year thats fine by me, we will be ready when you are! God bless coach.