*Updated* Martz Hired as Bears OC

OnTheClock · 2010-01-30T09:27:49-08:00

Links regarding interview: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/35149361/ns/sports-player_news/http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/sports/nfl/bears/martz_interviews_with_bearshttp://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=6516LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Veteran NFL coach Mike Martz arrived at Halas Hall Friday afternoon to interview for the Bears’ offensive coordinator position. Martz, 58, worked with Bears coach Lovie Smith in St. Louis, operating an explosive Rams offense that was dubbed “The Greatest Show on Turf.” The unit featured quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Marshall Faulk, and wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. As offensive coordinator under head coach Dick Vermeil in 1999, Martz helped the Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV by directing an offense that recorded the first of three straight 500-point seasons, an NFL record. In his first year as a starter, Warner passed for 4,353 yards and 41 touchdowns. Martz replaced Vermeil as head coach in 2000 and went on to compile a 56-36 record in five and a half seasons in that role. The four coaches who have followed Martz have combined to go 18-51 since he left. Martz hired Smith to be his defensive coordinator in 2001. In their first year together, they helped lead the Rams to their second Super Bowl in three seasons, cruising to a 14-2 record, including 8-0 on the road. After departing St. Louis, Martz served as offensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions in 2006-07 and the San Francisco 49ers in 2008. In his first season with the Lions, unheralded quarterback Jon Kitna passed for a career-high 4,208 yards at the age of 34. After serving as an offensive assistant at Arizona State from 1983-91, Martz coached quarterbacks and receivers with the Rams from 1992-96. He left St. Louis to become quarterbacks coach with the Washington Redskins in 1997-98 before returning to the Rams in 1999. Martz is the fourth candidate to interview for the Bears’ offensive coordinator position—and the second in as many days following Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers. Links regarding hire: http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d816202a5&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Jan 30, 2010 at 9:29 AM

toeknee
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do it

Jan 30, 2010 at 9:33 AM

AXEGRINDER
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Maybe Martz will stick around long enough for Cutler to break Favre's all time INT record.

Jan 30, 2010 at 9:33 AM

Shifty
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Originally posted by AXEGRINDER:
Maybe Martz will stick around long enough for Cutler to break Favre's all time INT record by week 4

Jan 30, 2010 at 9:35 AM

AXEGRINDER
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Originally posted by Kalen49ers:
Originally posted by AXEGRINDER:
Maybe Martz will stick around long enough for Cutler to break Favre's all time INT record by week 4

could happen.

Jan 30, 2010 at 9:37 AM

Shifty
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Originally posted by AXEGRINDER:
Originally posted by Kalen49ers:
Originally posted by AXEGRINDER:
Maybe Martz will stick around long enough for Cutler to break Favre's all time INT record by week 4

could happen.

Man how much that guy has fallen off. To think I used to believe he was a really good QB

Jan 30, 2010 at 9:38 AM

OnTheClock
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They should honestly just hire Martz. Cutler can take the pounding. If there's anyone that can fix Cutler.. they need to give Martz a shot.

Jan 30, 2010 at 9:42 AM

AXEGRINDER
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Originally posted by Kalen49ers:
Originally posted by AXEGRINDER:
Originally posted by Kalen49ers:
Originally posted by AXEGRINDER:
Maybe Martz will stick around long enough for Cutler to break Favre's all time INT record by week 4

could happen.

Man how much that guy has fallen off. To think I used to believe he was a really good QB

Martz is definitley not what Cutler needs IMO. He needs to work on turning the ball over less, not more.

Gunslinger type QB's + Mike Martz = DISASTER

Did I mention I think the Bears should hire Martz?

Jan 30, 2010 at 9:48 AM

GEEK
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The situations are eerily similar between Lovie Smith and Mike Nolan of the 49ers. Their jobs on the line due to offensive woes - trying to establish a franchise QB with a good RB but no weapons in the passing game, and a HORRENDOUS offensive line.

Martz is really 1/3 on his OC skills, and that 33% success rate is because of Dick Vermeil.

Jan 30, 2010 at 9:50 AM

evil
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He is like the 4935th candidate to interview and everyone who has got hired elsewhere or turned them down/backed out. They are all scared Lovie will possibly get canned next year and they will be out of a job.

[ Edited by KRS-1 on Jan 30, 2010 at 9:50 AM ]

Jan 30, 2010 at 9:50 AM

#10

Legbreaker
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Originally posted by AXEGRINDER:
Maybe Martz will stick around long enough for Cutler to break Favre's all time INT record.

Axe FTW

Jan 30, 2010 at 10:03 AM

#11

OnTheClock
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Originally posted by GEEK:
The situations are eerily similar between Lovie Smith and Mike Nolan of the 49ers. Their jobs on the line due to offensive woes - trying to establish a franchise QB with a good RB but no weapons in the passing game, and a HORRENDOUS offensive line.

Martz is really 1/3 on his OC skills, and that 33% success rate is because of Dick Vermeil.

The Bears better hope to address those needs this off-season.

Jan 30, 2010 at 10:07 AM

#12

Allx9er
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they can take turns telling each other how good they are at their jobs

Feb 1, 2010 at 7:42 AM

#13

valrod33
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I read after interviewing for the OC job he went to Cutlers house

Feb 1, 2010 at 8:21 AM

#14

evil
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Originally posted by valrod33:
I read after interviewing for the OC job he went to Cutlers house