Martz done for the year
 

Martz is out for season
ASSOCIATED PRESS
10/24/2005

Rams coach Mike Martz will miss the rest of the season because of a bacterial infection of a heart valve that has already sidelined him for two games.

According to a press release from the Rams, Martz told the team Monday that after being examined and evaluated by his treating physician, Dr. Victoria Fraser, his illness will prevent him from performing his duties.

Fraser is co-chief of the division of infectious diseases at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Martz, 54, has had what his doctors have termed an acute bacterial infection since the beginning of the season, and was admitted to a hospital on Sept. 30 for treatment.

On Oct. 5, Martz announced that he had been sick for several weeks and that his condition prevented him from attending practice.

Five days later he was readmitted to a hospital, and Joe Vitt was named interim head coach.

The team said Vitt would continue as head coach for the rest of the year. Vitt is the assistant head coach and linebackers coach.

Vitt won his first game on Sunday, 28-17 over the New Orleans Saints.

Watch Vitt show some common sense, use Jackson to bang the football, and take that team to the playoffs.

Without Meathead misusing their talent they could challenge the Squawks for the division...

Dang, why did I draft him as my fantasy coach? :)

The Rams just got instantly better.

Zygmunt heads off Martz's attempt to get play suggestion to Fairchild
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
10/23/2005

Even in victory, the feuding apparently continues between head coach Mike Martz and the team's front office.

Two sources told the Post-Dispatch on Sunday that a team official was denied access to the Rams' coaching booth. The team official was trying to relay a play-call suggestion from Martz to offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild. According to the sources, president of football operations Jay Zygmunt wouldn't let the team official relay the information.

Martz apparently was trying to suggest that Fairchild call a specific running play in New Orleans territory.

Martz is resting and receiving treatment at home for a bacterial infection of the heart valve. He missed his second consecutive game because of the illness Sunday, a 28-17 comeback victory by the Rams.

Martz has been in fairly regular contact with members of the coaching staff since taking a leave of absence two weeks ago. On Sunday, watching from home, Martz phoned Fairchild at halftime to offer a couple of suggestions.

But unable to phone Fairchild once the second half started, Martz sent a team official to the coach's booth at the Edward Jones Dome with the play suggestion. After being conspicuous in his absence for the better part of a month, Zygmunt has been in the coach's booth the past two games since Martz has been sidelined.

I've mentioned it before, but for those who don't know, Vitt was the Chiefs' LB coach from 2000-2004. He resigned when we hired Gunther because he refused to work for him, so the Rams hired him last year. It'll be a good chance for him to try and get a better coaching job I guess.

Proof that story's bogus. No way Martz would call a running play in the opponent's territory.

Well they did run a WR reverse at the 5 yard line for a TD. Seemed Martz-ish to me.

I read that today, too. Can one story be hilarious and ominous at the same time? Looks like Zyggy(I don't know if that's his nickname, but what else could it be?) wants to cut Martz out of the equation.

I'm gonna go ahead right now and start the rumor that Al Saunders will be the Rams head coach next season.

I've been thinking that myself.

I think Jacksons value just went up. That said Martz is probable looking at the record and his starting QB banged up and asked him self "Do I really want to come back, and get blasted for another 8-8 record?" He probablesaves his job by doing this.

As long as he is not the head coach of the Chiefs next year I am happy.

Jackson should get alot more FFL value now.