Saints contact Martz after contract is settled
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
The New Orleans Saints called Mike Martz on Thursday night about their head-coaching vacancy. According to league sources, Martz was contacted by Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. A tentative visit with the Saints and Martz is planned for the end of next week.
This development occurred on the day the Rams officially severed ties with Martz, finalizing a settlement for the final year of his coaching contract.
"We settled all our contract issues with Mike and wish him the best of luck in the future," Rams president John Shaw said Thursday evening.
Shaw would not disclose the amount of the settlement. But it's believed to be in the neighborhood of about half the $3.25 million Martz was scheduled to make next season.
Normally, coaches who are fired in the NFL receive their full remaining salary. But with the threat of a grievance procedure by the Rams for "cause" - specifically, news reports of alleged comments by Martz that Shaw and the Rams weren't all that interested in winning - Martz decided to settle out his contract for less money and get on with his life.
Martz's agent, Bob LaMonte, did not return a phone message Thursday. Martz spent Thursday on the golf course with his brothers in San Diego and could not be reached for comment.
The Saints fired head coach Jim Haslett after a tumultuous season in which the club played "home" games in Baton Rouge, La.; San Antonio, Texas; and New York because of the Hurricane Katrina destruction in New Orleans.
Re: Saints contact Martz after contract is settled
Quote:
This development occurred on the day the Rams officially severed ties with Martz
Good grief, that didn't take long.
Re: Saints contact Martz after contract is settled
I wonder what martz would make of QB brooks???? i bet he would like their RB duce!!!
steve:clanram:
Re: Saints contact Martz after contract is settled
Normally, coaches who are fired in the NFL receive their full remaining salary. But with the threat of a grievance procedure by the Rams for "cause" - specifically, news reports of alleged comments by Martz that Shaw and the Rams weren't all that interested in winning - Martz decided to settle out his contract for less money and get on with his life.
WOW Thats about how it looked when we played , That does not shock me one bit . Shaw in the last few years has really lost a lot of respect by not handling the problems ... Its sad that he let a NFL power house be reduced to to what we have had this year ... Nice post R.W.!
Re: Saints contact Martz after contract is settled
I hope he doesn't go there. That organization is going no where until Benson sells the team. It'd be a shame to see him coach the Saints and lose.
Re: Saints contact Martz after contract is settled
More crap from the Ram's FO..They fire one of the most successful NFL coaches in the last five years and instead of paying him what was agreed upon..he gets half..What a pathetic excuse for a FO...:clanram:
Re: Saints contact Martz after contract is settled
Quote:
Originally Posted by RamWraith
Normally, coaches who are fired in the NFL receive their full remaining salary. But with the threat of a grievance procedure by the Rams for "cause" - specifically, news reports of alleged comments by Martz that Shaw and the Rams weren't all that interested in winning - Martz decided to settle out his contract for less money and get on with his life.
That is total speculation on Thomas' part. Martz may have settled so he would not have to worry about the Rams arguing that he has opportunities to Head Coach elsewhere which, if he did not take, would amount to a failure to mitigate his losses.
The funny part about the whole Martz to the Saints thing is that Saints fans generally hate Martz. I used to post at SaintsReport.com, and they thought Martz was the Devil. Now, they may have to root for him. LOL
Re: Saints contact Martz after contract is settled
Avenger, if "normally coaches who are fired in the NFL receive their full remaining salary" then the argument that the Rams could say that Martz failed to mitigate his losses by not pursuing another job could be used in the vast majority of all coach firings. Apparently it is not or most coaches would not receive their full remaining salary. It just smells that the Rams FO is being cheap again; a fact not to be lost on any prospective candidates for the position. This does not bode well for the search for a qualified candidate who, in all likelihood, will be receiving attention and offers from less dysfunctional FOs--i.e. cheap ones.
WHAT SAY YE?
Re: Saints contact Martz after contract is settled
I think that it is possible that the Rams FO is being cheap or vindictive, but its all speculation.
There are any number or reasons why Mike Martz might prefer a settlement. Remember, if he settles now, he likely would get the money now in lump sum, rather than remaining on the Rams' payroll.
I think the reason most fired coaches get paid is that most don't immediately get a new job as an NFL head coach. Instead, they typically take a year or two off. Martz is almost certain to be an NFL Head Coach next year, so he's better off resolving the matter with the Rams and then getting the best deal he can from some other team.
Re: Saints contact Martz after contract is settled
Quote:
Originally Posted by By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Shaw would not disclose the amount of the settlement. But it's believed to be in the neighborhood of about half the $3.25 million Martz was scheduled to make next season.
The amount of the settlement is pure speculation as well. Maybe Martz did better than half. Maybe it was 80%.
I hope he doesn't go to the Saints either. I just have never liked them and there are too many openings that would be more attractive IMHO.
Go Rams!!!
