Martz to San Diego??

**RamWraith** · #1 (**permalink**) -01-10-2004

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.

#2 (**permalink**) -01-10-2004

Reading this kind of hurts.
Can't we have Martz and sanity together? Damnit Martz we want nothing more then you to stay in Stl but you have to do some of the things you do differently.

**txramsfan** · #3 (**permalink**) -01-10-2004

It may be time to pick apart the Patriots as the Rams have been picked apart. Charley Weis or Romeo Crennel will be HC's somewhere next year. However guys, it's waaaaaay early in the season. Anyone remember going 4-0 in our first year then going 2-10 the rest of the season? Let's see how it plays out.

Have we been blown out? No. If he (Martz) fixes the penalties, this team could go on a run.

**RamWraith** · #4 (**permalink**) -01-10-2004

If Martz would leave this team there is no one to blame but the fans and the media.

The front office has seemed to support the guy to the hilt, it's us that are causing the rift.

**Nick** · #5 (**permalink**) -01-10-2004

Agreed, Wraith. And the thing is, no matter what anyone would tell you, this team would be in utter chaos if Martz left. Who's going to run the offense? Steve Fairchild? Who's going to be available as a head coach to come in and take over this team? There are very few people on the chopping block that I'd like to see hired if Martz does depart.

*afrightertoo* · #6 (**permalink**) -01-10-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamWraith

If Martz would leave this team there is no one to blame but the fans ... it's us that are causing the rift.

I can't believe you say that with a straight face. If fans only had that much influence.

**AvengerRam** · #7 (**permalink**) -01-10-2004

Good news for Martz fans. If Prisco reports it, it is almost certainly not valid.

**RamWraith** · #8 (**permalink**) -01-10-2004

The fans control everything with a team. Football is a business and if the consumers are not happy changes will be made. I think we have a hell of lot more influence than you think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by afrightertoo

I can't believe you say that with a straight face. If fans only had that much influence.

*ZigZagRam* · #9 (**permalink**) -01-10-2004

I can see it now:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the new head coach of the St. Louis Rams...Larry Marmie."

Or better yet:

"I'd like to introduce you to the new head coach of the St. Louis Rams...Mike Ditka."

Or even better:

"Please welcome the new head coach of the St. Louis Rams...player-coach Isaac Bruce."

Imagine the possibilities!

*afrightertoo* · #10 (**permalink**) -01-10-2004

Since football is a business why shouldn't we expect him to act like any other self-interested person and follow his sense where the best return will come from? SD may offer him more money than Georgia is prepared to pay him.

**txramsfan** · #11 (**permalink**) -01-10-2004

Hmmmmm......afighter and adarian BOTH live in the hollow......

Something tells me this could be a clue.......

LOL

*afrightertoo* · #12 (**permalink**) -01-10-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by txramsfan

Hmmmmm......afighter and adarian BOTH live in the hollow......

Something tells me this could be a clue.......

LOL

Too illuminating.

**Nick** · #13 (**permalink**) -01-10-2004

Well, let's think about it logically. If Martz goes to San Diego, he has a young QB in Rivers which he can basically have all to himself to groom. He has a stud running back, arguably the best in the league.

But he has zero talent at WR besides an overachieving Parker and Caldwell, which isn't going to fit his offensive scheme that well, and the offensive line in San Diego is pretty poor - the only name I know off the top of my head who I think has some talent is Ball, the holdout. They've got a decent tight end, but that doesn't seem to matter to Martz. The defense is and has been pretty poor for the last few years.

So I guess if this is even remotely true, Martz likes working long hours, because it's going to take that and much more to make the Chargers into a competitive team in the AFC.

*rampete* · #14 (**permalink**) -01-10-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickSeiler

Well, let's think about it logically. If Martz goes to San Diego, he has a young QB in Rivers which he can basically have all to himself to groom. He has a stud running back, arguably the best in the league.

But he has zero talent at WR besides an overachieving Parker and Caldwell, which isn't going to fit his offensive scheme that well, and the offensive line in San Diego is pretty poor - the only name I know off the top of my head who I think has some talent is Ball, the holdout. They've got a decent tight end, but that doesn't seem to matter to Martz. The defense is and has been pretty poor for the last few years.

So I guess if this is even remotely true, Martz likes working long hours, because it's going to take that and much more to make the Chargers into a competitive team in the AFC.

good points...but the general consensus amongst experts and fans point to a sub .500 record for the chargers. with a high draft pick, martz may go for a wr like mark clayton or mike williams... chargers are well below in salary cap figures, so they can go shopping for o-linemen... trade drew brees for additional draft picks and rebuild the defense...

uh, not that martz is definitely headed there, but if he does...

*afrightertoo* · #15 (**permalink**) -01-10-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamPet

uh, not that martz is definitely headed there, but if he does...

Maybe you can come up with a few more attractions that could catch his eye ... not that anyone would want to encourage him mind you ...