badblood
01-03-2006, 10:26 AM
Mike Martz, St. Louis
Overview: Behind all the glitz of the high-octane offense that marked Martz's tenure with the Rams, this has been a dysfunctional franchise, one fraught with infighting and influence-peddling and internecine bickering, and with considerable palace intrigue. There is a sense that everyone has his own agenda, that the various departments rarely work in concert, and that things are frayed at the seams. Someone has to restore order and functionality to the operation. The Rams went to two Super Bowls in three seasons from 1999-2001, but have just one playoff victory in the four seasons since being upset by New England in Super Bowl XXXVI.
Martz
Next for Martz: He owns a Super Bowl ring as a coordinator, took the Rams to a Super Bowl XXXVI appearance, and despite habitual problems with game management, still is regarded as a terrific offensive innovator. His detractors note that his quarterbacks get hit an awful lot, a legitimate insight, but his team will score a lot of points if he's got solid personnel. Put him in, say, Oakland, with a wide receiver group that includes Randy Moss, Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry and Doug Gabriel, and Martz would be diagramming pass plays before his plane hit the ground. Martz is going to be a more popular candidate than some people realize.
Next for Rams: Interim coach Joe Vitt, who pinch hit for the ailing Martz, has zero shot of retaining the job. Williams is almost certain to emerge, and quickly, as a guy in whom the Rams have interest. The problem is, any team seeking the Redskins' coordinator, who was the Buffalo head coach for three seasons (2001-03), will have plenty of competition. Gray is likely to be on the short list (and perhaps Rivera, too), as it is generally believed St. Louis management prefers the next coach have a defensive orientation. Don't rule out Lewis or Tennessee defensive boss Jim Schwartz, an impressive young coach who finished as the runner-up to Mike Nolan at San Francisco last year. It's doubtful the Rams would look at an offensive-minded coach. If they do, Cameron could be in the mix, as could Kubiak. Here's one name out of left field who should not be ignored: Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz.
Overview: Behind all the glitz of the high-octane offense that marked Martz's tenure with the Rams, this has been a dysfunctional franchise, one fraught with infighting and influence-peddling and internecine bickering, and with considerable palace intrigue. There is a sense that everyone has his own agenda, that the various departments rarely work in concert, and that things are frayed at the seams. Someone has to restore order and functionality to the operation. The Rams went to two Super Bowls in three seasons from 1999-2001, but have just one playoff victory in the four seasons since being upset by New England in Super Bowl XXXVI.
Martz
Next for Martz: He owns a Super Bowl ring as a coordinator, took the Rams to a Super Bowl XXXVI appearance, and despite habitual problems with game management, still is regarded as a terrific offensive innovator. His detractors note that his quarterbacks get hit an awful lot, a legitimate insight, but his team will score a lot of points if he's got solid personnel. Put him in, say, Oakland, with a wide receiver group that includes Randy Moss, Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry and Doug Gabriel, and Martz would be diagramming pass plays before his plane hit the ground. Martz is going to be a more popular candidate than some people realize.
Next for Rams: Interim coach Joe Vitt, who pinch hit for the ailing Martz, has zero shot of retaining the job. Williams is almost certain to emerge, and quickly, as a guy in whom the Rams have interest. The problem is, any team seeking the Redskins' coordinator, who was the Buffalo head coach for three seasons (2001-03), will have plenty of competition. Gray is likely to be on the short list (and perhaps Rivera, too), as it is generally believed St. Louis management prefers the next coach have a defensive orientation. Don't rule out Lewis or Tennessee defensive boss Jim Schwartz, an impressive young coach who finished as the runner-up to Mike Nolan at San Francisco last year. It's doubtful the Rams would look at an offensive-minded coach. If they do, Cameron could be in the mix, as could Kubiak. Here's one name out of left field who should not be ignored: Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz.