shaneo69
12-29-2007, 08:09 PM
Detroit set to oust Martz, name Brown O-coordinator
ESPN.com news services
Updated: December 29, 2007, 8:44 PM ET
The Detroit Lions are expected to fire offensive coordinator Mike Martz after Sunday's season finale against Green Bay, the Los Angeles Times reported on its Web site.
The newspaper, citing multiple sources familiar with the situation, said the Lions will replace the veteran coach with receivers coach Kippy Brown. ESPN NFL analyst Chris Mortensen confirmed the report Saturday night.
The little blotch on Martz's resume shouldn't be enough, however, to keep him unemployed for long, The Times said.
Martz will likely be pursued by the struggling San Francisco 49ers as a replacement for current offensive coordinator Jim Hostler. The 49ers are apparently turning to Martz because of his familiarity with the NFC West and successful pedigree as coach of the St. Louis Rams (2000-2005), the paper reported.
Martz led St. Louis to the playoffs in four of his five full seasons, including a Super Bowl after the 2001 season, and helped the franchise win the 2000 Super Bowl as offensive coordinator. The Rams went 51-29 in the regular season and 54-33 overall during his five full seasons as head coach.
St. Louis ranked among the NFL's top 10 teams in total offense in six of the past seven years, ranking first from 1999-2001. The Rams' passing offense hasn't ranked below fifth in the league since 1999, and was first from 1999-2001.
The Lions, 7-8 going into Sunday's road game, rank near the bottom in several key offensive statistical categories, including rushing and interceptions. They have lost six of their last seven games. The Lions have more interceptions (18) than passing touchdowns (20), a major reason they are in third place in the NFC East.
Martz, 56, has been with the Lions since early 2006, when then-new head coach Rod Marinelli brought him aboard as part of his first staff in Detroit.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3173002&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines
ESPN.com news services
Updated: December 29, 2007, 8:44 PM ET
The Detroit Lions are expected to fire offensive coordinator Mike Martz after Sunday's season finale against Green Bay, the Los Angeles Times reported on its Web site.
The newspaper, citing multiple sources familiar with the situation, said the Lions will replace the veteran coach with receivers coach Kippy Brown. ESPN NFL analyst Chris Mortensen confirmed the report Saturday night.
The little blotch on Martz's resume shouldn't be enough, however, to keep him unemployed for long, The Times said.
Martz will likely be pursued by the struggling San Francisco 49ers as a replacement for current offensive coordinator Jim Hostler. The 49ers are apparently turning to Martz because of his familiarity with the NFC West and successful pedigree as coach of the St. Louis Rams (2000-2005), the paper reported.
Martz led St. Louis to the playoffs in four of his five full seasons, including a Super Bowl after the 2001 season, and helped the franchise win the 2000 Super Bowl as offensive coordinator. The Rams went 51-29 in the regular season and 54-33 overall during his five full seasons as head coach.
St. Louis ranked among the NFL's top 10 teams in total offense in six of the past seven years, ranking first from 1999-2001. The Rams' passing offense hasn't ranked below fifth in the league since 1999, and was first from 1999-2001.
The Lions, 7-8 going into Sunday's road game, rank near the bottom in several key offensive statistical categories, including rushing and interceptions. They have lost six of their last seven games. The Lions have more interceptions (18) than passing touchdowns (20), a major reason they are in third place in the NFC East.
Martz, 56, has been with the Lions since early 2006, when then-new head coach Rod Marinelli brought him aboard as part of his first staff in Detroit.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3173002&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines