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      Bears interview Martz for O-coordinator job

      January 29, 2010 /

      According to the Chicago Sun Times, the Bears interviewed Mike Martz for their vacant offensive coordinator job on Friday.

      Martz had spoken to Bears head coach Lovie Smith early in the process, but he finally got an interview today. Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers is believed to have made a strong impression on the Bears during an interview Thursday, and he or Martz could compel the Bears not to wait for any assistants on the two Super Bowl teams.

      As for Martz, he and Smith have plenty of history; Smith was Martz’a defensive coordinator in St. Louis. But Martz will have to prove several things today. First, that he isn’t going to ignore running the ball, which is essential in Chicago yet goes against the grain of his track record. And second, that he can co-exist with his players and coaches, particularly assistant head coach Rod Marinelli, who fired Martz when he was the head coach of the Detroit Lions.

      This would be one desperate party hiring another desperate party. The Bears have had zero luck in trying to replace Ron Turner (whom they fired earlier this month) and Martz wants to get back into coaching after a one-year hiatus as an analyst on the NFL Network’s “The Head Coaches.”

      What’s interesting about this potential marriage is that Martz criticized Jay Cutler earlier this season after the Bears’ QB was nonchalant in a post game presser after he threw four interceptions in a Week 1 loss to the Packers.

      “He just doesn’t get it. He doesn’t understand that he represents a great head coach and the rest of those players on that team … somebody needs to talk to him,” said Martz.

      As a fan, I would love to see how Martz and Cutler would interact. It would either be an offensive explosion every week or be a complete and utter disaster. Either way, sign me up for that scenario.


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      NFL

      What’s next for Cardinals?

      January 29, 2010 /

      Over the past two seasons, the Arizona Cardinals have established themselves as legit Super Bowl contenders. But now that Kurt Warner has announced his retirement, the franchise has suddenly been thrown into a state of flux.

      The Cardinals knew this day was coming, so in no way are they surprised by Warner’s decision. But just because they were prepared for this eventual outcome, it doesn’t mean that their task ahead of them is any easier.

      Matt Leinart was drafted to be the team’s franchise quarterback, but that was when Denny Green was still calling the shots. Leinart isn’t one of Ken Whisenhunt’s “guys,” although he’s still expected to have first crack at the starting quarterback position now that Warner has decided to hang ‘em up. The problem is that some believe Leinart doesn’t have enough tools to carry on the success that Warner has had over these last two seasons.

      Leinart has come under criticism for his inaccuracy, his slow release, his poor footwork and his questionable arm strength. He’s set to make $2.4 million next season and if he can’t prove that he can take over the reins of Arizona’s offense, then there’s no way the Cardinals will pay him the $7.4 million (plus a $5 million roster bonus) he’s due in 2011. He essentially has one year to prove that he can lead the team’s offense or else the Cards will look to dump him after the 2010 season.

      That said, the Cardinals will likely change their offensively philosophy regardless of whether or not Leinart proves capable of taking over for Warner. Beanie Wells will become the new focal point of an offense that will have to be balanced to win, as opposed to the pass-happy unit it has resembled over the past couple seasons. The aerial show in Arizona essentially died on Friday when Warner decided to call it a career and Leinart took over. Change is coming.


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      NFL

      Kurt Warner announces his retirement

      January 29, 2010 /

      Kurt Warner has officially decided to hang ‘em up.

      From ESPN.com:

      “Not much on the drama part of it, as most of you know,” Warner said to begin a news conference at the Cardinals’ training facility in Tempe, Ariz.

      Warner, 38, a two-time MVP and Super Bowl champion, had added motivation for a quick retirement decision: He has multiple promotional appearance commitments during Super Bowl week in Miami.

      Rather than answer retirement questions then, Warner preferred to remove the focus from his future as quickly as possible so it’s not an issue next week, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

      “Obviously, it’s been 12 unbelievable years, some of the best years of my life,” Warner said Friday. “But I want everybody to know that I’m just as excited about the next 12, that I’m excited about what lies in front of me. I’m excited about spending more time with my family, and seeing what God’s going to do next.”

      Warner demonstrated class by not wanting to make his retirement announcement one of the focal points of next week’s Super Bowl. His selflessness and unwavering character are just two reasons why he will be missed on Sundays. (His outstanding play is another.)

      Warner is one of only two quarterbacks in the history of the NFL to lead two different franchises to the Super Bowl. He finishes his career with 208 touchdown passes, 32,344 yards, a 93.7 QB rating and two MVP trophies. Even if he isn’t a first ballot Hall of Famer, the 12-year veteran will likely end up having a bust in Canton someday.

      Not bad for a former grocery store stock boy and Arena league quarterback.


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      NFL

      Report: Damon rejected $6 mil from Yankees

      January 29, 2010 /

      According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Yankees offered free agent outfielder Johnny Damon a $6 million contract last week and he turned them down.

      In a last-ditch effort late last week after Damon himself called the team, Cashman, one of baseball’s best dealmakers, tried floating a contract of $6 million with $3 million deferred at no interest (with the promise it would be cleared with team boss Hal Steinbrenner, who was about to return from his honeymoon). But Damon wasn’t moved enough to respond.

      “I know what kind of player I am. I know I’m a player who makes a difference and won’t back down,” Damon told SI.com by phone on Thursday.

      Damon is said to have a few possibilities. Teams reported to have shown some interest include the A’s, Rays, Tigers, Reds, Braves and Blue Jays. Damon doesn’t sound worried at all.

      “I’m all right being a free agent at this point. I get to see how teams are shaping up,” Damon said. “I know what I can do. And I think the rest of the world knows what I can do.’

      This is turning out to be one of the greatest mysteries of the MLB offseason and I’m not referring to how Damon still hasn’t signed with anyone. It’s a mystery that this clown thinks he’s worth double-digits because he hit 24 home runs last year in the wind tunnel that is Yankee Stadium.

      Damon and his agent Scott Boras have reportedly been seeking $10 million a year from the Yankees, but Brian Cashman was only willing to do $2 million a year. It’s a little surprising that Cashman bumped that number up to $6 million and Damon rejected.

      Any National League team that is willing to give Damon $10 million a year is out of their minds. He has the throwing arm of a 3-year-old child and he’s a complete disaster judging balls in the outfield. Simply put, the only thing he can do well is hit and there’s no guarantee at his age (35) that he’ll continue to hit .282/24/82 away from Yankee Stadium.

      If some team is willing to fork over $10 million for half a player, then they obviously have no idea what the terms “money management” and “value” are. The Yankees have played this situation right and if Damon doesn’t want to compromise on a $6 million deal from the World Series champs, then here’s hoping he has to settle for a low ball deal from a non-competitor. Because he and Boras are delusional about what he brings to the table in terms of talent.


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      MLB

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