Martz: Lions OC

Archie F. Swin · 02-08-2006, 08:26 PM

Detroit News

It's finally done: Martz is hired

Lions get their man, agreeing to three-year deal with ex-Rams coach as offensive coordinator.

People in the NFL can stop wondering where former St. Louis Rams head coach Mike Martz might land and start preparing to stop his offense in Detroit.

Martz, who developed potent attacks knows as "The Fastest Show on Turf" as offensive coordinator and head coach in St. Louis, was hired Wednesday as coach Rod Marinelli's offensive coordinator.

The announcement ended almost two weeks of speculation and on-off talks between Martz and the Lions. Martz has signed a three-year contract.

Last Thursday, Martz was quoted in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch as saying he had rejected the Lions' offer, and that he was leaning toward taking a year off from football.

However, by the weekend Martz and the Lions had resumed talks. Financial terms were not immediately available, but finances appear to have played a role when negotiations ended last week. Martz reportedly was seeking a three-year deal worth more than $5 million that was heavily back-loaded.

"From our standpoint, it never really fell apart," said Tom Lewand, the Lions' chief operating officer. "I know Mike was commenting on some stuff. Rod kept going along with his process. It's been very consistent.

"There's no disputing his (Martz) success offensively in St. Louis. By all accounts, he's going to be an exciting guy to work with."

Marinelli did not comment on the hiring.

For Lions players, having Martz in charge of the offense will be a new realm. He is known for being intense, demanding and a perfectionist who insists on high-tempo practices.

The Lions have been anything but a precision, up-tempo team in practice or games, and it will be interesting to see how they adjust to Marinelli and Martz.

Martz brings impeccable credentials as an offensive mastermind. The Rams are the only franchise to score 500 or more points in three seasons -- 526 (1999) 540 (2000) and 503 (2001).

Martz was offensive coordinator of the 1999 Rams team that won the Super Bowl. He became head coach in 2000 after Dick Vermeil retired. The 2001 Rams lost to New England in the Super Bowl. A heart ailment forced Martz to step down as coach after five games in 2005. He was fired after the season with one year left on his contract.

The Rams were 8-8 in 2004, Martz' last full year as head coach, and scored 319 points. The '04 team ranked sixth overall in offense and fifth in passing.

Martz, obviously, will give Detroit's offense a new direction, but there also is one big question to be answered -- the future of quarterback Joey Harrington.

Harrington was in town last week for some appearance related to the Super Bowl. In a radio interview, he said he had not spoken to Marinelli. Marinelli has spoken highly of Harrington, and there is no proven alternative to Harrington on the roster.

The only quarterback under contract is Dan Orlovsky, a rookie in 2005 who played sparingly in two regular-season games.

The free-agent signing period begins March 3, but it is not considered to be a strong year for quarterbacks.

Martz was one of five assistants hired Wednesday by Marinelli. The others were Wilbert Montgomery (running backs), Pat Carter (tight ends), Joe Cullen (defensive line) and Shawn Jefferson (general offensive assistant).

Montgomery and Carter were Martz assistants in St. Louis. Montgomery played running back for 10 seasons in the NFL with Philadelphia and Detroit. He retired with the Lions in 1986. Carter was drafted by the Lions on the second round in 1988 but was traded to the Rams the next year when the Lions went to the Run 'n Shoot offense -- which does not use a tight end.

Jefferson was a part-time assistant with the Lions last year, and Cullen is a career college coach. He was with Illinois last year and Indiana the previous three years.

The only assistant's position open on Marinelli's staff is for the defensive backfield. Marinelli also might add a general defensive assistant.

Previously, Marinelli hired Donnie Henderson as defensive coordinator and retained Chuck Priefer as special-teams coordinator. Both are highly regarded in the NFL.

For position coaches, Martz hired Larry Beightol (offensive line) and Kippy Brown (wide receivers). Retained from last year's staff were Jason Arapoff and Malcolm Blacken (strength and conditioning), Stan Kwan (special teams assistant), Phil Snow (linebackers), Don Clemons (defensive quality control) and Adam Gase (offensive quality control).

Sully · 02-08-2006, 08:33 PM

So I wonder if he's stabbed the HC int he back to get his job yet?

milkman · 02-08-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sully

So I wonder if he's stabbed the HC int he back to get his job yet?

I'm betting Marinelli has a defense for that.

jynni · 02-09-2006, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SideWinder

I'm betting Marinelli has a defense for that.

**The Bad Guy** · 02-08-2006, 09:00 PM

This is a great move for the Lions.

He has a lot of receiver talent. A versitile back and needs to mentor Harrington.

**Bowser** · 02-08-2006, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

This is a great move for the Lions.

He has a lot of receiver talent. A versitile back and needs to mentor Harrington.

Mike Williams
Roy Williams
Charles Rogers
Kevin Johnson
Marcus Pollard

I'm curious to see if he can re-create "The Fastest Show" offense.

You think he'll give Harrington a fair shake, or go with Garcia?

milkman · 02-08-2006, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Mike Williams
Roy Williams
Charles Rogers
Kevin Johnson
Marcus Pollard

I'm curious to see if he can re-create "The Fastest Show" offense.

You think he'll give Harrington a fair shake, or go with Garcia?

I don't think Garcia even remotely fits Martz offense.

Martz is going to have to try to get Harrington to play to his potential.
And I've said for some time that I thought that Harrington is a better fit for this style of offense.

If that doesn't work, the Lions will have to look elsewhere.

**The Bad Guy** · 02-08-2006, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Mike Williams
Roy Williams
Charles Rogers
Kevin Johnson
Marcus Pollard

I'm curious to see if he can re-create "The Fastest Show" offense.

You think he'll give Harrington a fair shake, or go with Garcia?

Garcia will never be the QB of the Lions with Martz around.

I think Kevin Jones will benefit the most from Martz.

Halfcan · 02-08-2006, 09:36 PM

Just when you thought the Lions couldn't get worse.,.,..,

**The Bad Guy** · 02-08-2006, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Just when you thought the Lions couldn't get worse.,.,..,

Yep.

Hiring the guy responsible for scoring 500 points three-straight years is a real downgrade.

I think some of you need to put your bias aside and admit that the guy is a pretty damn good coordinator.

4th and Long · 02-08-2006, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Yep.

Hiring the guy responsible for scoring 500 points three-straight years is a real downgrade.

I think some of you need to put your bias aside and admit that the guy is a pretty damn good coordinator.

What has he done lately?

VonneMarie · 02-08-2006, 10:04 PM

So, is it official or did he quit again?

Sfeihc · 02-08-2006, 10:25 PM

Maybe mad man Martz can restore the roar?

**Baby Lee** · 02-09-2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4th and Long

What has he done lately?

Umm, recovered from endocarditis?

02-08-2006, 08:26 PM	Topic Starter
Archie F. Swin This is the way Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Casino cash: $9975673	Martz: Lions OC Detroit News It's finally done: Martz is hired Lions get their man, agreeing to three-year deal with ex-Rams coach as offensive coordinator. People in the NFL can stop wondering where former St. Louis Rams head coach Mike Martz might land and start preparing to stop his offense in Detroit. Martz, who developed potent attacks knows as "The Fastest Show on Turf" as offensive coordinator and head coach in St. Louis, was hired Wednesday as coach Rod Marinelli's offensive coordinator. The announcement ended almost two weeks of speculation and on-off talks between Martz and the Lions. Martz has signed a three-year contract. Last Thursday, Martz was quoted in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch as saying he had rejected the Lions' offer, and that he was leaning toward taking a year off from football. However, by the weekend Martz and the Lions had resumed talks. Financial terms were not immediately available, but finances appear to have played a role when negotiations ended last week. Martz reportedly was seeking a three-year deal worth more than $5 million that was heavily back-loaded. "From our standpoint, it never really fell apart," said Tom Lewand, the Lions' chief operating officer. "I know Mike was commenting on some stuff. Rod kept going along with his process. It's been very consistent. "There's no disputing his (Martz) success offensively in St. Louis. By all accounts, he's going to be an exciting guy to work with." Marinelli did not comment on the hiring. For Lions players, having Martz in charge of the offense will be a new realm. He is known for being intense, demanding and a perfectionist who insists on high-tempo practices. The Lions have been anything but a precision, up-tempo team in practice or games, and it will be interesting to see how they adjust to Marinelli and Martz. Martz brings impeccable credentials as an offensive mastermind. The Rams are the only franchise to score 500 or more points in three seasons -- 526 (1999) 540 (2000) and 503 (2001). Martz was offensive coordinator of the 1999 Rams team that won the Super Bowl. He became head coach in 2000 after Dick Vermeil retired. The 2001 Rams lost to New England in the Super Bowl. A heart ailment forced Martz to step down as coach after five games in 2005. He was fired after the season with one year left on his contract. The Rams were 8-8 in 2004, Martz' last full year as head coach, and scored 319 points. The '04 team ranked sixth overall in offense and fifth in passing. Martz, obviously, will give Detroit's offense a new direction, but there also is one big question to be answered -- the future of quarterback Joey Harrington. Harrington was in town last week for some appearance related to the Super Bowl. In a radio interview, he said he had not spoken to Marinelli. Marinelli has spoken highly of Harrington, and there is no proven alternative to Harrington on the roster. The only quarterback under contract is Dan Orlovsky, a rookie in 2005 who played sparingly in two regular-season games. The free-agent signing period begins March 3, but it is not considered to be a strong year for quarterbacks. Martz was one of five assistants hired Wednesday by Marinelli. The others were Wilbert Montgomery (running backs), Pat Carter (tight ends), Joe Cullen (defensive line) and Shawn Jefferson (general offensive assistant). Montgomery and Carter were Martz assistants in St. Louis. Montgomery played running back for 10 seasons in the NFL with Philadelphia and Detroit. He retired with the Lions in 1986. Carter was drafted by the Lions on the second round in 1988 but was traded to the Rams the next year when the Lions went to the Run 'n Shoot offense -- which does not use a tight end. Jefferson was a part-time assistant with the Lions last year, and Cullen is a career college coach. He was with Illinois last year and Indiana the previous three years. The only assistant's position open on Marinelli's staff is for the defensive backfield. Marinelli also might add a general defensive assistant. Previously, Marinelli hired Donnie Henderson as defensive coordinator and retained Chuck Priefer as special-teams coordinator. Both are highly regarded in the NFL. For position coaches, Martz hired Larry Beightol (offensive line) and Kippy Brown (wide receivers). Retained from last year's staff were Jason Arapoff and Malcolm Blacken (strength and conditioning), Stan Kwan (special teams assistant), Phil Snow (linebackers), Don Clemons (defensive quality control) and Adam Gase (offensive quality control).
Posts: 11,800

02-08-2006, 08:33 PM	#2
Sully It Goes On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lees Summit Casino cash: $10026331	So I wonder if he's stabbed the HC int he back to get his job yet? __________________ "And I don't wish that girl any bad luck," he said, "but I hope she gets hit with a car." - Tommy Lasorda
Posts: 18,295

02-08-2006, 09:00 PM	#5
The Bad Guy Scott Pioli Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The Copacobana Casino cash: $9373645	This is a great move for the Lions. He has a lot of receiver talent. A versitile back and needs to mentor Harrington. __________________
Posts: 23,212

02-08-2006, 09:36 PM	#9
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	Just when you thought the Lions couldn't get worse.,.,..,
Posts: 43,200

02-08-2006, 10:04 PM	#12
VonneMarie Don't look over here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $10008987	So, is it official or did he quit again?
Posts: 17,644

02-08-2006, 10:25 PM	#13
Sfeihc It's All Good Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $10010133	Motor City Kitties Maybe mad man Martz can restore the roar?
Posts: 3,441