Mike Martz: Savior or Band-Aid?

[pecrawley]

It seems like there is more to do in SF than just change the play-caller. Martz is a unique talent, but there's not much of an o-line there (esp. with Larry Allen leaving).

Check out this Martz article:

Ong Talk: Martz Jumps on Board

[JCD]

You need a third option: horrible mistake.

IMO, Martz is why the Lions missed the play-offs. He is a terrible offensive coordinator.

With the Lions, you had:
-A marginal QB
-A big offensive line with road graders that struggle with pass blocking (the offensive line isn't as bad as it is being made out, they were just square pegs in a round hole)
-Depth at RB with Jones, Bell and Duckett
-A marginal defense that lacked depth
-Inconsistent WRs

Any sensible coach would think that we should shelter our QB by pounding the ball (rotating 3 RBs would give them a good crew to get it done) and let one of the biggest lines in football maul opponents. Use that to set up the play-action and keep the defense off the field.

But no. He opts to pass >70%. If you look just at the raw yardage, you get a very skewed perspective of how bad the offense was. The number of sacks, turnovers, 3rd down efficiency, time of possession and red zone scoring tell you the real story. Lions offense was terrible.

Before people go blaming Kitna and the line, realize that Kitna had arguably the best season of his career. The Lions went out and signed Mulitalo and Woody already knowing what kind of players they are. So who is to blame? Kitna and the linemen for playing like they have throughout their careers? Or the idiot that thought he could change them into stars?

The net effect of that offense was one that (IIRC) led the league in 3-and-outs and put it's defense on the field more thant virtually any other team. Lions defense got steadily worse as the season wore on and they wore out.

The Lions have already had a great off-season. They just fired their biggest weakness.

Now the Niners are about to learn what the Rams and Lions did the hard way. Martz is a horrible fit.

Smith isn't the QB for that system, he needs a confidence builder. With Martz, he is going to get beat into oblivion (when is the last time a Martz team wasn't among the league leaders in sacks?) and likely shatter his confidence. Davis has the skills to be an elite TE. Best trade him now while you can get value for him. Martz ignores the TE position. Smart idea to trade Gore while you are at it. He doesn't seem like the kind of RB that can be effective with only 5-15 touches per week.

In other words, you have a Offensive Coordinator who could care less about what little talent the Niners have to work with and is going to shine the spotlight on their biggest weaknesses.

My prediction: Martz lasts one year. Niners rack up decent passing numbers, but their scoring and efficiency numbers tank. Gore finishes with <600 yards and the Niners are the worst team in the league in sacks and TOP.

[pecrawley]

Good points. Thanks for weighing in from the perspective of a team who's already been crushed by this monster. I think Nolan and York (the owner) are in WAY over their heads. SF is not a good situation for anybody at this point.

[Browns17]

they need more than a RB to even consider having an offense

[JCD]

Originally Posted by Browns17

they need more than a RB to even consider having an offense

Lions are not as far away as you might think. A more conservative offense and they would be a far more effective team.

QB- Kitna. OK, he is a marginal starter. An upgrade is needed here. Stanton got a mulligan on his rookie season, and was a project to start with.

RB- Jones and Bell (I believe he has a year left). Jones came back last year to show he still can get it done... of course he got hurt again. The Lions have (had) enough talent here to be an effective ball-control offense, they just didn't use it. Jones is a good all-around back, though if Bell is a FA they will need a 2nd back to share carries. Those kind of backs are cheap and easy to get.

OL- They get a ton of negative press, but they really are not that bad. Just better run blockers than pass blockers and in need of 1) Depth and 2) a good RT. Backus, Raiola and Woody (if he stays) are all solid to good starters. Mulitalo is at the end of the line, but adequate. Get a decent RT and possibly an upgrade at LG and the line is competent.

WR- For all the picks and press, the supposed strength of the offense isn't nearly what it is cracked up to be. Their numbers are reflective of a high volume of passes more than tremendous play. They have not shown the elite ability to go out and consistently beat the double-teams. Heck, there are times when they can't make plays even when covered 1-on-1. I think they would be FAR more effective if Lions became more run focuses and set the WRs up on the play-action. Get those safeties closer to the line and let these big, tall, fast WRs face the CBs 1-on-1.

This off-season, a more sensible game plan, a RT and then a possible upgrade at LG and QB and this is a solid offense.

[JCD]

Originally Posted by pecrawley

Good points. Thanks for weighing in from the perspective of a team who's already been crushed by this monster. I think Nolan and York (the owner) are in WAY over their heads. SF is not a good situation for anybody at this point.

Agreed.

Martz is a smart X's and O's guy (according to what the articles say anyway... that may just be reputation and not reality). He just stinks at play calling.

Any team that wants to have success with him on it will either need to be stacked like the Patriots on offense; or have a Head Coach that calls the plays. Niners are neither.

[Browns17]

Originally Posted by JCD

Lions are not as far away as you might think. A more conservative offense and they would be a far more effective team.

QB- Kitna. OK, he is a marginal starter. An upgrade is needed here. Stanton got a mulligan on his rookie season, and was a project to start with.

RB- Jones and Bell (I believe he has a year left). Jones came back last year to show he still can get it done... of course he got hurt again. The Lions have (had) enough talent here to be an effective ball-control offense, they just didn't use it. Jones is a good all-around back, though if Bell is a FA they will need a 2nd back to share carries. Those kind of backs are cheap and easy to get.

OL- They get a ton of negative press, but they really are not that bad. Just better run blockers than pass blockers and in need of 1) Depth and 2) a good RT. Backus, Raiola and Woody (if he stays) are all solid to good starters. Mulitalo is at the end of the line, but adequate. Get a decent RT and possibly an upgrade at LG and the line is competent.

WR- For all the picks and press, the supposed strength of the offense isn't nearly what it is cracked up to be. Their numbers are reflective of a high volume of passes more than tremendous play. They have not shown the elite ability to go out and consistently beat the double-teams. Heck, there are times when they can't make plays even when covered 1-on-1. I think they would be FAR more effective if Lions became more run focuses and set the WRs up on the play-action. Get those safeties closer to the line and let these big, tall, fast WRs face the CBs 1-on-1.

This off-season, a more sensible game plan, a RT and then a possible upgrade at LG and QB and this is a solid offense.

i was talkin bout the 49ers

[JCD]

Originally Posted by Browns17

i was talkin bout the 49ers

I agree to an extent.

Niners have their RB in Gore (who is no Faulk that is for sure), but could use a #2 to share the load (maybe Duckett to act as the sledgehammer in short-yardage).

But the RB (and TE) positions won't matter. With Martz, they are going to run the ball <20 times per game on average.

[Blaze_1UP]

Martz has an excellent passing scheme that will work if the running game of Gore is mixed in enough with his play calling. SF's OL was injured most of the season and so was Smith, if those two factors can stay somewhat healthy they could have good productivity next season. The defense is set Nolan has established that, the real question mark is QB (maybe Hill is the better man) and getting a good cast of WR's. Davis is a great TE when used and I think he will have a breakout year through Martz system if he stays healthy. York has no clue whats going on and man does it suck having him as an owner. SF has to get some help in the FA market like Faneca and a top WR, drafting a D-Line man would also be a plus.

[JCD]

Davis may be a great talent, but who was the last TE to put up numbers in Martz system?

I can't name one either.

Better off trading him and getting value than letting him rot.

[SkinsCavsNation]

I think Mike Martz can help Alex Smith and Frank Gore and take the talent they have and turn it into a pretty decent offense next season. Darrell Jackson and Vernon Davis have to stay healthy though and they need to sign a couple offensive lineman.

[Browns17]

Originally Posted by Blaze_1UP

Martz has an excellent passing scheme that will work if the running game of Gore is mixed in enough with his play calling. SF's OL was injured most of the season and so was Smith, if those two factors can stay somewhat healthy they could have good productivity next season. The defense is set Nolan has established that, the real question mark is QB (maybe Hill is the better man) and getting a good cast of WR's. Davis is a great TE when used and I think he will have a breakout year through Martz system if he stays healthy. York has no clue whats going on and man does it suck having him as an owner. SF has to get some help in the FA market like Faneca and a top WR, drafting a D-Line man would also be a plus.

They probably don't have that much money this year due to their heavy spending last offseason for a top O-Lineman and WR, and Martz doesnt use his TEs as a reciever often either

[Blaze_1UP]

They have plenty of cap room, I just don't know if Yorks ready to use it. Martz has never had a TE as talented as Davis and I see him being used more in motion to slot positions.