Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Guest of the Martz Dog House?

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 2
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous 1 2 template Next
  • #1

    Guest of the Martz Dog House?

    What's the deal with Lamar Gordon? I admit I didn't watch him as closely as I should have while he was playing, always anticipating/hoping for Faulk to come back, but from what I remember he was always gaining positive yards and hitting the hole hard when he got a chance. I know he seemed to get nicked up a little too easily, but if that's the only reason that he's been demoted to 3rd string I think it's a little harsh.

    I mean, the guy's used to playing Division IIA ball so there has to be somewhat of an adjustment period doesn't there? I certainly hope that this isn't another case of treating the symptom and not the disease. The O-Line and gameplan are more to blame for the lack of production at the running back spot than the individual playerS (yes, that's a capital "S" meaning all the rb's have struggled, not just one of them).

    I'm starting to get the impression that there is no learning curve at Rams Park. It "seems" like if players don't produce right away they are shipped off or given up on. Doublly tough on players that are getting thrown into the fracas as rookies. I have my doubts about Arlen Harris (I like him, but I question whether or not he has "it") but I think that Gordon has the potential to make it in the league. I definitely wouldn't give up on either of them, as it appears Martz is doing by making Arlen play out of position and demoting Gordon to 3rd string and drafting Jackson.

    The new and improved Martz Dog House: "Players Check In, But They Don't Check Out!".
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Guest of the Martz Dog House?

    I think they are concerned that Gordon has an injury bug and is unable to play through ANY sort of pain. This has been the case throughout his college career as well.

    Also, they couldn't pass on the talented Jackson that fell to them in the first round. I personally feel they NEVER expected to Jackson fall that far.

    Comment

    • #3
      Butler made it out

      He spent two years in that doghouse, but got out last year when he started performing. Maybe Gordon has just been snake bit. When Faulk was hurt last year, it seemed Gordon was also at the same time.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Guest of the Martz Dog House?

        While I agree that you should always take the best player available, I still question the thought process in this situation. To trade a pick to move up, while being relatively short on picks, to draft a guy who, while showing potential is still only the best rb in a weak draft for the position, at a position that isn't a "need" for the team all puts a big question mark next to it for me.

        I'm not an expert on drafts by any means so it very well could have been the best possible move for the team, but if it were me I would have focused more on the o-line, especially with Orlando's situation being what it is. Possibly would have taken the best available lineman at 26, keep the 2nd (or was it fourth?) round pick and use it to add possible depth in the o-line. I still think that's the best possible place to focus future development.

        To me, it's a lot more conceivable to take a veteran skill player (Faulk, Warner, Bulger, etc.) and plug him into the offense then it is to have depth and stability on the o-line to protect those guys. ALL the skill guys get hurt in the Martz offense (Green, Warner, Bulger, Faulk, Trung, Gordon, Arlen, etc.), so to me it's somewhat wasteful to use a high round pick on any of those positions. If you play qb or rb for the Rams you're almost assured of getting hurt so it seems more logical to me to TRY and shore up the swiss cheese line that's been contributing to these injuries and lack of production.

        This may be an over-simplication on my part but Martz's offense NEEDS a good/great front 5 to do everything they want to do, so why not try and build one with youthful guys instead of re-treads?

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Guest of the Martz Dog House?

          I think the problem with Gordon is that he's unwilling, not unable to play through pain. MM just won't stand for any of that in any of his players. No heated desire to play? Then sit in the doghouse till you get it.

          As far as the draft, I didn't like the move to get Jackson. Don't get me wrong I liked the pick but not the move. Shane Andrews OT was picked in our spot in the 4th round we gave to Cincinnati to move up those two spots! He would have been a great addition to our Oline. Somewhat of a project and probably not a starter but he had speed agility and incredible strength. He would have been a contributer on the line by mid season. I just don't think we needed to move up to get Jackson, Chris Perry or Kevin Jones if that is what we really wanted to do. Is that what we REALLY wanted to do? Draft a RB with our 1st pick? We also gave up the opportunity to get Ahmad Carroll to shore up our secondary.

          If Marshall returns fully recuperated I think we might have made a mistake with Jackson. If Gordon gets his head straightened out and really wants to play what do we do then? I guess we could always trade him to someone who has a RB go down in camp or preseason. I guess we could look at it like this, Jackson is Marshalls heir apparent and no one in next years draft would suffice. I guess that makes him a real steal for us. There is always a silver lining right?

          BTW it's tough to post right now. It takes forever for the site to respond so I guess I'll lurk and try posting later. I know there are teething problems and Dez is trying to get out all the bugs but I'm not the most patient guy when I feel the need. Looks like this is a decent forum to post on with knowledable and respectful fans. I'm looking forward to new friends here. Anyone going to Miami on the 24th of Oct? :1: GO RAMS!!

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Guest of the Martz Dog House?

            The way I look at it is this. Marshall Faulk is 31, and he's playing a position where most guys after the age of 30 start to decline. Look at Eddie George. He's a year younger and is going to get dumped. If Faulk follows that trend, then he doesn't have too many great seasons left at the level we're used to seeing him play. We're going to need someone who can learn from Faulk while he's hear, spell him a bit so we get the most bang for Marshall's buck while he's with us, and then eventually take over. To me, that guy isn't Gordon. He had fumbling problems his first season, and he's had a hard time with injuries. Some of you have questioned ability to play through pain, and now, ForeveRams, you say it's an attitude thing. That's all very concerning for me when thinking about him in the context of being a starter. Watching him play, I just don't see someone who's a really great weapon for this offense. I think he makes a nice change of pace back, but I don't think he's starter material, or at least not the heir apparent.

            Whether or not Jackson is remains to be seen, but I see Jackson as more of a potentially dangerous running back who is a better receiver, good pass blocker, and while he isn't lightning fast, he is quick on his feet and has great agility for cutbacks. I think if there's anyone that I would feel comfortable coming in, learning as much as he can from Faulk while getting some playing time, and eventually taking over, it's Jackson before Gordon. That said, I see Gordon as our second RB after Faulk moves on. I don't look at him being third string as a huge demotion, but rather as preparing for a more dynamic shift in the depth chart in the next few seasons. I think if we keep Gordon and continue to work on him, he'll make a more than adequate back-up for Jackson, assuming Jackson is in fact the heir apparent. Gordon really isn't costing us much, and I don't think there would be a lot of interest in him even if a team loses a back to injury. Furthermore, keep in mind that last season we needed our third string runner for a couple of games. If Faulk gets injured again and Jackson's aggressive style of running puts him on the bench with an injury, then Gordon's going to see some time.

            In terms of whether or not I would have moved up to draft Jackson as the Rams did, I'm not sure. I certainly like the pick, but I think the Rams had more pressing needs elsewhere that also could have been addressed. Mokler, you have a great point in that the Rams could have taken the best remaining offensive lineman with that selection (Snee or Smiley depending on your board, I ranked Smiley higher). Since both are guards, I think you could begin grooming either of them for a starting role. While it does take a significant amount of time for a lineman to learn the system (see Wohlahbaugh's struggles last year and Turley had some problems as well), picking up either of these two could have been a good move for the future, considering the age of both McCollum and Timmerman. I think in terms of a tackle to safeguard against problems with Pace, any tackle we took at that point would have been a reach; we would have had to have traded down into the second round to get one of them. Heck, even taking Snee or Smiley in the first could be a reach by some standards. I would have taken Smiley in the first with no concerns about it, but I guess time (and two games against him a year) will tell if I would have been right or wrong.

            Someone in the secondary as ForeveRams suggested also makes a lot of sense. The Rams lack experience at cornerback (it sounds as if Garrett is the frontrunner for the nickle back job), so taking the best available at our spot in the first round might have really made a difference in our depth at the position. Also, I think we really needed a future replacement for Aeneas at free safety. I think we got the man for that job in Shivers later in the draft, but I had a couple other scenarios drawn out where the Rams could have taken guys elsewhere who perhaps are more ready or have better skills than Shivers does. I was surprised to see Sean Jones drop into the lower part of the second round, but I probably wouldn't have taken him too much earlier, nor is he a guy I would have traded out of the first round to get (Smiley or Troupe). I was really hoping we'd get a shot at Matt Ware in the third round, but the Eagles took him two spots above us. On Day Two, I thought perhaps Will Allen would fall to us, but that dream didn't last. I'm certainly not disappointed with Shivers -- in fact, I'm really excited to see what he can do. And looking back at the third round, from what's being said about our selection based on his camp performances, perhaps it's better that things fell as they did.

            But now that I've ventured far off topic, I have never really looked at Gordon as someone who's going to replace Faulk. I just don't see him as the kind of runner I would prefer to have in my starting line-up, so I wasn't surprised when the Rams made their move to get Jackson. I think Gordon can still be an effective part of the offense, but just not as the starter. And I don't view his demotion to third string as a reflection on him and his performance as much as I see it as a reflection of what's to come, and by that I mean Gordon backing up Jackson when he takes over for Marshall.

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Guest of the Martz Dog House?

              Gordon has had some problems, injuries & fumbles, but I don't think he is in the doghouse. The rams always carry 3 RBs. If Gordon was in the doghouse I think the Rams would keep Harris at RB and possibly try to move Gordon or cut him. Mokler, I know you have stated that you are not that high on Jackson, but I think he is going to be an excellent RB for the Rams offense. Just wait until you see him on the field, I think you will be impressed.
              Curly ~ Horns

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Guest of the Martz Dog House?

                Well, I'm hopeful. I'd love to have a Ricky Williams type back to help out with the offense. I was pretty impressed when Lamar came on the scene, thought he was a reasonable facsimle of Faulk.

                The main reason I'm skeptical is because of the offensive philosophy not catering to Jackson's apparent running style. I'm not rooting against the guy, there are just a few circumstances around the whole picture that are questionable to me.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Guest of the Martz Dog House?

                  I really don't understand where these Ricky Williams comparisons come from. I guess it's the hair? Well for me, the SJ/RW comparison begins and ends with the locks. They are not even the same in physical stature. RW is 5'10" 228lbs with very small hands and he is a fumbler. SJ is 6'2" and 230lbs. with huge hands and he is not a fumbler.

                  I never really liked Gordon's running style and his fumbling, early on, drove me nuts. I think he is an adequate back-up RB, but I really don't see him as an elite back in this league. Maybe he could be, if given a full-time opportunity, but he has not done a lot, with his playing time, while Faulk has been injured.
                  Curly ~ Horns

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Guest of the Martz Dog House?

                    Originally posted by Ferter
                    I really don't understand where these Ricky Williams comparisons come from. I guess it's the hair? Well for me, the SJ/RW comparison begins and ends with the locks. They are not even the same in physical stature. RW is 5'10" 228lbs with very small hands and he is a fumbler. SJ is 6'2" and 230lbs. with huge hands and he is not a fumbler.

                    I never really liked Gordon's running style and his fumbling, early on, drove me nuts. I think he is an adequate back-up RB, but I really don't see him as an elite back in this league. Maybe he could be, if given a full-time opportunity, but he has not done a lot, with his playing time, while Faulk has been injured.
                    I agree on every point.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Guest of the Martz Dog House?

                      Comparing him to Ricky Williams seems to be the popular choice. I don't know how accurate it is since I haven't seen SJ play. I'm assuming it's because both are big, punishing, north/south runners. Maybe Eddie George is more accurate? He's roughly the same size as SJ.

                      If these choices aren't comparable I would like to hear who SJ reminds everyone of. I really have no clue about this guy other than what I've read since the draft about his potential.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Guest of the Martz Dog House?

                        Well living in Oregon I can probably give you a bit of insight to what I have seen of Steven Jackson. Now granted, I am an avid Ducks fan so rooted against him in college, but I did have the opportunity to see him play live a few times.

                        This is a kid that wont quit. I saw a few civil war games where he got hit HARD by Igor Oshanski (now a pro LB) or other linemen for the Ducks and just would not go down. What you will get with this guy is someone that won't drop the ball, can cut back to make the defender miss him and, when he does get hit, will give you that second push to gain the extra 2-3 yards. He isn't the blocker that Faulk is but can catch the ball out of the backfield and bust loose for the big gains.

                        I was on the phone with a buddy of mine for the 4 picks leading up to his selection by the Rams (friend is a Cowboy fan) and he was disappointed that his team didn't select him. Admittedly this is a weak year for the RB position, however I think we picked up a solid player in Jackson. He works hard on and off the field and with Faulk getting older, maybe 2-3 good years left in him, Jackson will learn his role and be a great heir for him.

                        Just my 2 cents...

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Guest of the Martz Dog House?

                          I agree with Nick on this one. I have never been a Gordon fan. I like Harris. I hope that kid gets a shot in the league.

                          With Jackson and Faulk I don't see it happening for the Rams.

                          Trout

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Guest of the Martz Dog House?

                            Originally posted by moklerman
                            If these choices aren't comparable I would like to hear who SJ reminds everyone of. I really have no clue about this guy other than what I've read since the draft about his potential.
                            He reminds me of a hybrid clone of Eric Dickerson and Eddie George
                            Curly ~ Horns

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Guest of the Martz Dog House?

                              Originally posted by Blacktrout
                              I agree with Nick on this one. I have never been a Gordon fan. I like Harris. I hope that kid gets a shot in the league.

                              With Jackson and Faulk I don't see it happening for the Rams.

                              Trout
                              Unfortunately. But, at least we can rest easy knowing our RB depth is set. Martz is trying to find a way to get him on the field (I can see him as a Holcombe-type fullback), and he's a great special teams player.

                              Comment

                              Previous 1 2 template Next

                              Related Topics

                              Collapse
                              • RamWraith
                                Martz regrets doubting RB Gordon
                                by RamWraith
                                By Jim Thomas
                                Of the Post-Dispatch
                                08/16/2004
                                MACOMB, Ill. - The left ankle problem cropped up in Lamar Gordon's first training camp with the Rams, in 2002. Before long, it became a recurring theme: Just when it seemed Gordon was laying the groundwork for a solid NFL career at running back, the ankle problem returned and he returned to the sideline.

                                It got to the point that some questioned his durability and toughness. Count coach Mike Martz in that group.

                                "I'm embarrassed and ashamed in my attitude towards him, because obviously he was in a great deal of pain," Martz said Monday. "When a guy is (complaining of pain), you've just got to trust what he's telling you. And this is one of the times in my career, I feel humiliated and feel stupid. I owe him an apology, because he certainly is very tough."

                                Trouble was, several medical examinations never showed anything that could be causing the pain that Gordon said he felt.

                                "We MRI-ed it. We did the X-rays. We did every diagnostic test we could," Martz said.

                                Yet Gordon would complain of pain, even though there often was no swelling in the ankle. Even Gordon began to doubt himself.

                                "We did all these tests, and they didn't find anything," Gordon said. "So I'm really thinking, 'I'm making this up myself.'"

                                Frustration sets in

                                The situation grew particularly frustrating in the current training camp.

                                "It really flared up as camp went on," Gordon said. "I was watching myself on film (of practice), and I was looking terrible. I was hurting so bad, I knew something was wrong. I couldn't even take it any more."

                                But finally, a bone scan was performed on the ankle, and it showed enough of an irregularity that surgery was necessary.

                                What Martz called a significant bone chip was found and removed from the ankle in surgery on Aug. 10.

                                To say that Gordon and the Rams were relieved to find the cause of the pain - and hopefully, eradicate it - would be big understatement.

                                "I'm just excited to go through the surgery process, get this healed up, and move on and play some ball," Gordon said.

                                Gordon returned to Macomb on Sunday, with his left leg encased in a small cast, and wielding a crutch to help him get around.

                                "I can pretty much walk around without it, but they're worried about my ankle swelling up, and splitting the stitches," Gordon said. "Because there's no pain when I walk."

                                Back by opener?

                                The cast comes off Friday, after which Gordon still has about 2 1/2 weeks of rehab time before he's ready to play. So is it realistic to think he could be ready for the season opener, Sept. 12 against Arizona?

                                "I think...
                                -08-17-2004, 05:41 AM
                              • RamWraith
                                Roster scrambling, defensive holes hint at trouble for Rams
                                by RamWraith
                                By Bernie Miklasz
                                Of the Post-Dispatch
                                Wednesday, Sep. 08 2004

                                A few days before the 2004 regular-season opener, the Rams seem unusually
                                restless.

                                They're signing waiver-wire pick-ups and other castoffs in a late, desperate
                                rush to upgrade the roster. They tried to lure used-up Jason Sehorn out of
                                retirement, but he flunked the physical. In this flurry of activity, the Rams
                                oddly failed to address the most glaring weaknesses, at cornerback and
                                defensive tackle.

                                If you're going to invite people off the street for open auditions, why not try
                                to reinforce the unimposing, underachieving cast at defensive tackle? And how
                                can the Rams be comfortable with only one experienced NFL cornerback in
                                Jerametrius Butler? (I'm not counting Aeneas Williams; the Rams insist he will
                                remain at free safety). The NFL is a passing league, and the Rams simply don't
                                have enough cover guys.

                                The Rams also made a debatable, peculiar decision to trade promising running
                                back Lamar Gordon to Miami. Marshall Faulk's health is an open-ended concern.
                                If Faulk's knee folds, the offense will have to rely on a rookie, Steven
                                Jackson, who had knee issues late in his college career at Oregon State. Arlen
                                Harris is a tough runner and can fill in at the position, but he lacks speed.

                                Astoundingly, the Rams got nothing more than a third-round pick for Gordon. And
                                they didn't insure themselves with a side agreement to upgrade to a more
                                premium draft choice should Gordon produce a 1,000-yard rushing season in
                                Miami. (And he will). More baffling is that the Rams unloaded Gordon's
                                salary-cap friendly contract. Gordon wasn't costing them much, so why move him?

                                After the retirement of head case Ricky Williams, the Dolphins were hard up for
                                a back, and the Rams should have exploited the situation by holding out for a
                                better draft choice. They're not running a charity.

                                Gordon's frustrating foot problems finally were solved through surgery, so the
                                move was hardly embraced inside every office at Rams Park. I'd be surprised if
                                coach Mike Martz privately gave an enthusiastic endorsement to this trade.
                                Martz offered mixed signals Wednesday when discussing the deal. While
                                explaining that Gordon was expendable because of Jackson's emergence and the
                                increased confidence in Faulk's viability, Martz also described the transaction
                                as "risky" and his feelings as "nervous."

                                "Lamar's a terrific value," Martz said.

                                Yes, and the Dolphins undoubtedly would agree.

                                It's been a fidgety week at Rams Park.

                                "Very, very, busy," Martz said.

                                And the roster tuning has taken Martz...
                                -09-09-2004, 04:19 AM
                              • RamWraith
                                Live with Gordo 10-17-07
                                by RamWraith
                                **EDITED FOR RAMS CONTENT


                                By Jeff Gordon
                                Monday, September 17, 2007 01:00 PM CDT


                                Ram1380: Gordo,
                                Lets open up with a huge round of applause for Ryan Clifton and Ron Bartell.These two kids played the best game of their young pro careers.Now to the ugly,do you think the
                                o-line can jell before Bulger goes out on a stretcher?Don't you think this unit is made to pound the rock not pick up exotic blitzes all afternoon. I expected Steve Jackson to handle the ball 25-30 times and Hall to handle it everytime he touched it.I guess I was
                                Waswrong on both accounts.

                                Jeff Gordon: This game wasn't all bad. Like you say, Ryan and Bartell had stellar games. The "D' was strong, but for one play. And even with that, it was a "plus" game for the unit. As for Bulger, he can't last another game getting beat up like that.
                                Eric: Why did Ch 5 have to show the hopeless Cardinals instead of a historic beatdown by Tiger Woods yesterday? They did the same thing two weeks ago with the Labor Day telethon. Actually, I guess it was good yesterday because it got me off of the couch to finish remodeling the family room. So at least my wife thanks Ch 5.

                                Jeff Gordon: Booking all those Sunday games at the expense of golf seemed like a good idea at the time, but now . . . well, not so much. But even a bad Cards team draws ratings and revenues.

                                George M.: Hi, Jeff. Just finished reading your chat from yesterday. I always find it interesting, informative, and entertaining, and this one was also.One comment just sent me through the roof, though. In discussing Andy McCollum, you said "Andy wasn't excited about playing back-up guard". What? WHAT??? Andy lost his starting job. He may not agree with that decision, but it is not his decision to make. In the NFL, a backup offensive lineman HAS to back up more than one position. Andy is, in effect, saying "I don't want to be a backup offensive lineman on this team". Someone on the coaching staff needs to explain to Andy that they don't have enough roster spots to carry a guy who is just a backup center (at least, not while carrying so many tight ends), and give him about 15 minutes to reconsider. While I haven't been a fan of Andy's run blocking for several years, I thought he could do a decent job of pass blocking, and should have been in there doing it yesterday.

                                Jeff Gordon: McCollum expressed that sentiment after learning of his demotion. He was down at the time. If the team needed him there - and it may yet need him there, given the O-Line play this season, my guess is he would jump in if needed. He had a great camp at center, but the Rams decided to give the younger player a chance to grow into a regular role.

                                john: Being a Ram fan since the days of Roman Gabriel this team is an embarrassment! Since the day they moved to St. Louis they have been the...
                                -09-17-2007, 04:41 PM
                              • RamDez
                                Gordon's output bodes well for Rams' depth
                                by RamDez
                                Gordon's output bodes well for Rams' depth
                                By Jim Thomas
                                Of the Post-Dispatch
                                Friday, Sep. 03 2004

                                The plan Thursday was to put on the uniform, see how he felt in pregame
                                warmups and take it from there. Little did Lamar Gordon know he would end up
                                carrying the football 22 times against Oakland.

                                "No, I didn't expect it, but I was kind of ready for it," Gordon said.
                                "Mentally, I was ready."

                                Ready, because he knew the Rams wanted to emphasize the running game in their
                                preseason finale.

                                "So I was just trying to go for it, and trying to be at my best," Gordon said.

                                Gordon gained 77 yards on those 22 carries, including a two-yard touchdown run
                                in the fourth quarter of the Rams' 28-24 loss to the Raiders.

                                Gordon's career high for rushing attempts is 21, which came last Sept. 28
                                against Arizona - one week after Marshall Faulk suffered a fractured hand in
                                Seattle. Gordon had not carried more than 12 times in any exhibition game.
                                Until Thursday, that is.

                                It was an amazing performance considering Gordon was just 23 days removed from
                                surgery to remove bone chips from his left ankle. The original timetable called
                                for Gordon to be sidelined for a month.

                                "I pushed myself," Gordon said. "The second day after the surgery, I felt that
                                (the pain) was gone. It was still sore from the surgery, but I was in my house
                                doing stuff I shouldn't have been doing. Just walking around. I was supposed to
                                have a crutch. I was like: 'The surgery's a success. I can't wait to get
                                back.'"

                                In case they'd forgotten, Gordon returned just in time to remind the coaching
                                staff and front office that he can be a viable backfield option.

                                Faulk looked sharp on the opening drive against the Raiders, carrying three
                                times and catching two passes, one a 7-yard TD reception.

                                "I liked what I saw from Marshall," coach Mike Martz said. "I was tempted to
                                leave him in a little bit longer, because I knew we were going to try to pound
                                the ball a little bit. But from what I saw, he was going fast."

                                Rookie Steven Jackson logged 72 yards on 12 carries against Oakland to finish
                                the preseason with 323 rushing yards.

                                "I think it just proves to my coaching staff, and the people that were
                                intrigued by Steven Jackson, it lets them know what level I'm capable of
                                playing at," Jackson said.

                                And now comes Gordon, who ran powerfully and decisively Thursday, showing an
                                occasional burst in the process.

                                Martz said he wanted Gordon to get a substantial workload "if he could take it.
                                But the more we played him, I guess, the better he played.

                                ...
                                -09-04-2004, 12:58 AM
                              • RamWraith
                                They come from all over to bury Martz
                                by RamWraith
                                BY JEFF GORDON
                                Post-Dispatch Online Sports Columnist
                                09/30/2004

                                Online Columnist Jeff Gordon

                                The electronic mail has poured in from across the continent this week – and most it has been pretty angry. Rams Nation has grown rather impatient with the team's head coach.

                                Mike Martz has played the role of pinata again this week after that agonizing overtime loss to the Saints at the Edward Jones Dome. Here is another sampling of the missives sent to the "Letters to Gordo" bin:


                                * * *

                                "Does Martz look like the poster boy for insanity or what? Bryan Burwell was asking good, fair questions that the fans want answered and he got into that (ticked) mode where he wants to attack the messenger, and I loved the way Bryan quietly zinged him back. Martz is determined to go down with the ship rather than make needed adjustments.

                                "His offense has been analyzed to death by other coaches and they know how to stop him. He has become so predictable. Indy, the Patriots and several others are much more innovative. Plus, he has never learned the details of the head coaching job, like closing out a game. That will doom him to the head coach scrap heap. Like the Coryell era, this too has passed -- and unlike Don, Martz is self-imploding with his idiotic stubborness.

                                "He is doomed; even the Martz rationalizers online had their eyes opened up Sunday. Camelot is over. Mike Martz lost his Mojo. Now he is just another white-haired guy with glasses who doesn't get it."

                                -- Keith Walker


                                GORDO: Is Martz doomed? We'll know soon enough. The Rams have an unforgiving schedule in the weeks ahead, one that will punish the team if their sloppiness continues. If the Rams can reach the postseason after this 1-2 start, as they did last season, then we'll have to give Mad Mike his props.


                                * * *

                                " 'That's just the way it is. Get used to it.' Maybe we should . . . with another head coach. One that knows something about defense."

                                -- John Robison, San Antonio


                                GORDO: Martz rebuilt this defense once as a head coach. Given all the free-agent losses on that side of the ball, he has to do it again. Is he up to the task? The weeks ahead will tell the tale, since several high draft picks will HAVE to step it up.


                                * * *

                                "I am a fairly level-headed football fan, who prides myself in focusing on intricacies of the game that some of my friends overlook. I am not typically one to impulsively blame a team's misfortunes on bad coaching. That being said, Martz is awful! On any given weekend, I may watch parts of three or four games. I only notice conspicuously bad play-calling, or hear an announcer comment on bad play-calling, about once per month. However, it seems like Martz makes conspicuously...
                                -10-01-2004, 05:27 AM
                              Working...
                              X