[NFL] 2008 Offseason

[Akileese]

Caroll said he'd consider going back if he got total control. Arthur Blank is willing to give it to him so he's listening. He's fucking nuts for giving it to him, but whatever. We need more terrible coaches anyways.

[Radahr Manasponge]

Our favorite ex-Bear linebacker must have turned 'em down (smart man!) if they're all the way down the list to Pete Carroll.

Ye gods, imagine the long-term trainwreck if he got full control of another NFL franchise.

It *could* happen to a better, more deserving team (Dallas, Oakland, Baltimore, N.E.) but won't, as I'm not that lucky.

[Gigfc]

Well. We are fucked for next year. (Not as bad if Gregg steps up tho!)

[Sunder]

Sorry Bengal fans, no Martz for j00!

Former Lions coordinator Martz hired to run 49ers offense

ESPN.com news services

Updated: January 8, 2008, 11:28 PM ET

Despite some initial resistance from ownership, San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan has hired Mike Martz as his offensive coordinator.

Martz, offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions for the past two years, agreed to a two-year deal with the 49ers. The reason for a two-year contract is that it coincides with the remaining length of Nolan's deal in San Francisco. The two coaches worked together when they were with the Washington Redskins.

Nolan interviewed former Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey late last week and was planning on visits from former Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron and former Ravens coach Brian Billick.

Martz visited Monday and was offered a contract Tuesday morning.

Martz has been on a rocky coaching road for the past three years, but he tormented the 49ers for six years during his greatest successes with their NFC West rival St. Louis Rams. Martz built the so-called Greatest Show on Turf over seven seasons, honing a remarkable passing game while the Rams reached two Super Bowls.

After the Lions fired him last week following two seasons as their offensive coordinator, Martz -- who coached alongside Nolan in Washington a decade ago -- jumped at the chance to resurrect the franchise that redefined offensive football in the 1980s under Bill Walsh.

"There are a lot of really outstanding pieces there that we just need to tie together," Martz said. "If we can do that, they're so well-established in special teams and on defense, I think the potential and the opportunity there is pretty exciting. It's not a challenge, it's an opportunity, and that's the part I enjoy."

Martz sees boundless promise in a San Francisco offense built around talented running back Frank Gore, who reminds him of Marshall Faulk.

Of course, Martz also inherits an undistinguished offensive line, a weak receiving corps and a burgeoning quarterback controversy. He didn't even blanche at taking a job with Nolan, whose job could be in jeopardy if the 49ers post a sixth straight losing season in 2008.

"You've got to remember, I've been on the hot seat, too," said Martz, who has been fired twice in just over two years. "I believe that I have such a great feel for who Mike is. ... In this league, it's a year-by-year proposition anyway."

Nothing frightened Martz about replacing Jim Hostler, who also was fired last week after the 49ers finished last in the NFL in points (219), total yards (3,797), yards passing (2,320), offensive touchdowns (23), first downs (218), sacks allowed (55) and third-down conversions (31.4 percent).

Martz, who got a two-year contract, is San Francisco's sixth offensive coordinator in six years. The 49ers didn't disclose Martz's salary, but he would have made $2 million in Detroit next season -- and that's more than the 49ers pay Nolan, who has two years left on a five-year, $8 million deal.

While making his name in St. Louis, Martz became known for a confidence that often borders on arrogance -- a quality that's also been cited in Nolan.

"There's no one more creative, as far as using personnel that allows us to be productive on offense," Nolan said. "He's got one of the best minds in all of football. ... Mike was about as excited as I've seen him, and certainly excited about a lot of our players."

Nolan and Martz were together on the Redskins' coaching staff from 1997-98, with Martz coaching the quarterbacks while Nolan was the defensive coordinator.

It's difficult to tell how Martz's style will mesh with the 49ers, whose only reliable offensive skill has been Gore's rushing. The Lions finished 32nd and 31st in the NFL in yards rushing while Martz concentrated on his inventive passing attacks -- but Martz said he didn't have a player like Gore, who compares favorably to former MVP Faulk.

"I think you can put him as the centerpiece and build around that," Martz said. "Frank is a little bit bigger, more physical, but he has the receiving skills, he's an unselfish pass-blocker, and he's really a complete player that really shouldn't come out of the game. That's hard to find in this league anymore."

The 49ers have perhaps the NFL's least impressive collection of receivers, with starters Darrell Jackson and Arnaz Battle backed up by Ashley Lelie and rookie Jason Hill. Tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker often were underutilized.

And while Alex Smith heals his rift with Nolan over the treatment of the quarterback's shoulder injury, he'll also have to adjust to his fourth new offensive scheme in four NFL seasons -- if he even wins the starting job. The 49ers hope to re-sign former third-stringer Shaun Hill, who led the 49ers to victories in his first two NFL starts last month.

"There's great potential there," Martz said. "They're both accurate, and I think Alex, watching him through the year, is very impressive."

Nolan will fill the rest of his coaching staff with input from Martz, but the 49ers announced on Tuesday night that running backs coach Bishop Harris and offensive assistant/offensive line coach Mark Nori have been dismissed.

"These are very difficult decisions that impact the lives of coaches and their families. But after meeting with all our coaches, I determined that it was necessary to make these changes," Nolan said in a statement.

Martz seems inclined to keep receivers coach Jerry Sullivan and offensive line coach George Warhop, praising both veteran coaches Tuesday.

Ted Tollner, the veteran coach who came on late in the season to aid Hostler, also will return to the 49ers in some capacity.

ESPN - Former Lions coordinator Martz hired to run 49ers offense - NFL

[Moontayle]

So for the Cowboys, the most likely scenario is that Sparano leaves for Miami and Garrett leaves for Baltimore where they need someone to get their offense going. I don't want to see Garrett go because he's the main reason the 'Boys did so well for the first 13 games, but really all he did was make the best use out of the personnel he had. That's all you can ask out of your Offensive Coordinator.

If Garrett leaves, I think Wade might pull the coaching acquaintence card with Cam Cameron. They've worked together and Cam would know what he's getting into in regards to how much control he'd have over the Offense. Our OL coach replacement is going to be a big mystery but I hope to hell he rides Gurode's ass during the offseason so he learns how to snap from the shotgun.

Free Agency we need to look at shoring up our secondary, especially in the Nickle Corner position. Might also look at getting a #2 receiver. I like Glenn but he's going into his 14th season and I'm not entirely convinced he can come back from his inevitable offseason microfracture knee surgery. Reeves enters Free Agency and I can't wait to see him go. Him and Williams fucked up our secondary real bad. Williams at least can probably correct his problems, he's a good athlete, but Reeves isn't the guy we need to look to for secondary help.

Draft, we get two 1st round picks. Expect one of them to be traded away for a couple of lower picks. I'm not well versed on what's coming out of the college scene to make any real judgement calls here. Just gonne have to wait until draft weekend to find out what our ownership sees as a necessity.

I think our biggest problems are special teams coverage and coverage in the nickle package. The special teams coverage is going to be hard to correct because those spots are typically filled by young guys without a lot of experience as well as guys barely hanging on to a roster spot. Theoretically they should play their asses off in the job they have been given, but realistically it doesn't happen that way. The Nickle coverage is a toss up. I think grabbing a mid-range corner in free agency and a strong safety who can take Williams' spot in that package is our best bet.

Lastly, the Cowboys really need to learn to pace themselves. They turned the dial to 11 and after a while it was just too much for them to keep up the intensity. You're not supposed to frontload your season. Yes, you want to come out strong, but you also want to finish strong.

[Akileese]

I think Cameron would be a very good fit in Dallas honestly, but I want to see him get another head coaching gig. He got the rawest of raw deals in Miami. That organization is a disgrace for hanging him out like that.

[Yutnopash]

Williams at least can probably correct his problems, he's a good athlete, but Reeves isn't the guy we need to look to for secondary help.

Rofl. No he can't Roy Williams is a TERRIBLE TERRIBLE Safety. He shouldn't even be called a safety, he's a liability. Oh he can hit hard? Yeah with his shoulder he rarely if ever wraps people up. So many times during the season he just ran into people thinking a hard bump would constitute a tackle only for the other guy to gain another 10 yards.

Don't even get me started on his pass coverage. He's slow as fuck against WRs and alligator arms on pass defense when he's in the vicinity, which happens to be a rarity.

They need to trade Roy or something, but I know they won't do that unless Jerry grows a pair and does what's needed. Keep Newman Hamlin and Henry, and either draft a stud-like DB or pick one up in FA.

[Zhaun's_Shade]

This is the first time I even payed a little bit of attention to the post-season shenanigans that goes on with coaches, but it seems right now there are less coaches then teams need, as some teams seem to be hard pressed to fill in spots (Falcons) is this normal?

[Draegan]

Originally Posted by Zhaun's_Shade

This is the first time I even payed a little bit of attention to the post-season shenanigans that goes on with coaches, but it seems right now there are less coaches then teams need, as some teams seem to be hard pressed to fill in spots (Falcons) is this normal?

There is no offseason in the NFL. It's the business season and the regular/playoff season. This is why the game is fun to pay attention to 365 days a year.

[Moontayle]

Originally Posted by Zhaun's_Shade

This is the first time I even payed a little bit of attention to the post-season shenanigans that goes on with coaches, but it seems right now there are less coaches then teams need, as some teams seem to be hard pressed to fill in spots (Falcons) is this normal?

Yes. And when coaches leave a team there tends to be some cannabilizing from the old team. Wade brought over a couple from San Diego. Whisenhunt took a couple from Pittsburg. On the whole the 'Boys had 9 out of 13 coaches change this year. Most coaches like people they can trust so that's a big reason for it. Some coaches can simply walk into a new team and it's instant Karma and little needs to be changed. Many require major overhauls so everything is their way or the highway.

I expect the Cowboys to lose 3-4 coaches, though it really could be as little as 2 with Sparano and Garett. Most position coaches are likely to stay unless offered coordinator/hc jobs, and won't jump ship unless it's sinking (a HC leaves, prompting them to seek a solid position elsewhere).

[kcxiv]

Originally Posted by Draegan

There is no offseason in the NFL. It's the business season and the regular/playoff season. This is why the game is fun to pay attention to 365 days a year.

Pretty much. There is good drama 365 if you pay attention. With the internet age, its alot easier to keep track off this. Some of it is very very good stuff.


I think the Chiefs are going to end up hiring fucking Mike Shula as our Offensive Coordinator. 2 reasons, 1 is that he was the OC for Tampa Bay back in the Dungy days while Herm was the DB coach there. So gotta love the friends network system, fucking football myspace is what it is. 2, he was Brodie Croyles Head Coach at Alabama. Well he's not the OC yet but my money is on him. We should know by tomorrow.

[Moontayle]

SI.com - NFL - Dolphins hire Sparano - Wednesday January 16, 2008 10:28AM

Most everyone knew it was going to happen but it's a good choice nonetheless. With Parcells, Ireland, and Sparano on the job, I see Miami back in playoff contention within 2-3 years.

[Zhaun's_Shade]

Originally Posted by Moontayle

SI.com - NFL - Dolphins hire Sparano - Wednesday January 16, 2008 10:28AM

Most everyone knew it was going to happen but it's a good choice nonetheless. With Parcells, Ireland, and Sparano on the job, I see Miami back in playoff contention within 2-3 years.

Dallas seemed like it had good potential with the possibility of another playoffs and maybe Super Bowl next year if they worked the kinks out of the tools they had this season. Doesn't them losing coaches just hurt the team and set Dallas back more?

[Moontayle]

Depends. Cowboys replaced 9 out of 13 coaches last year and look at what they managed to do. San Diego went through a similar upheaval.

[Sunder]

Kudos to those who said he wouldn't leave.

Sources: Garrett turning down head coaching jobs to stay with Cowboys

Dallas head coach Wade Phillips has been informed that Jason Garrett will turn down head coaching opportunities with the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens and remain as the offensive coordinator for the Cowboys, sources told ESPN's Ed Werder.

Sources told ESPN.com that Garrett, who spent several hours meeting with Atlanta officials earlier in the day, huddled with Dallas owner Jerry Jones on Wednesday night. Garrett met with the Ravens on Monday night and part of the day Tuesday before flying to Atlanta for a follow-up session.

The Cowboys could offer Garrett a substantial raise and the tacit promise that he will eventually succeed Phillips within the next couple years.

In 2004, Jones convinced both his coordinators at the time, Sean Payton on offense and Mike Zimmer on defense, to bypass head coaching opportunities and stay with the Cowboys. Payton had been offered the Oakland Raiders' head coaching position and Zimmer the job at the University of Nebraska.

It is believed the Ravens formally offered Garrett their head coach job, at a salary of less than $3 million annually. Sources told ESPN.com's Matt Mosley that the Falcons' job is Garrett's if he wants it. The Falcons have also been seriously considering former Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who met with club executives on Monday for a second time, and who is held in high regard.

There were rumblings around the league on Wednesday that the Ravens were growing impatient with Garrett and might turn to another candidate, perhaps Philadelphia secondary coach John Harbaugh. But a club source said late Wednesday that Ravens officials still believe they have a solid shot of landing Garrett if he decides to depart Dallas for his first head coach job.

Both the Falcons and Ravens lost a candidate on Wednesday when Indianapolis assistant head coach Jim Caldwell withdrew his name from consideration for the vacancies. The move, first reported by ESPN's Chris Mortensen, fueled immediate speculation that Caldwell removed himself because he is about to be named the successor to Colts' coach Tony Dungy.

But Dungy told Mortensen that he has not yet made a decision on his future and likely will not before the weekend. League sources said Caldwell's action was motivated more by the reality that he was probably not viewed as more than the No. 3 candidate by both Atlanta and Baltimore officials.

One reason for a second interview between Garrett and Atlanta executives is that the Falcons did not have a general manager when they huddled with him for the first time on Jan. 4. On Saturday, however, Atlanta hired New England college scouting director Thomas Dimitroff as its new general manager, and he will have considerable input into the selection of the head coach. The Falcons' vacancy was created when Bobby Petrino resigned with three games remaining in his first season as an NFL head coach, to fill the vacancy at the University of Arkansas.

Atlanta has interviewed five other candidates for the position. If the team is still without a new coach by the weekend, and New York loses at Green Bay in Sunday's NFC Championship Game, the Falcons probably will seek permission to interview Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. The Falcons made such a request earlier, but the Giants rebuffed it because of the team's status in the playoffs.

Even as he faced the specter of losing Garrett as his coordinator, Jones was attempting on Wednesday to retain several assistant coaches whose contracts are about to expire, and who are rumored to be candidates for staff positions in Miami, where Cowboys assistant head coach Tony Sparano on Wednesday was hired as the Dolphins' new coach.

Jones has offered contract extensions to secondary coach Todd Bowles, linebackers coach Paul Pasqualoni, and defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers.

ESPN - Sources: Garrett turning down head coaching jobs to stay with Cowboys - NFL