Tag: Mike Martz (Page 6 of 6)

      So maybe Martz isn’t a miracle worker after all

      October 19, 2008 /

      J.T. O'SullivanMike Martz may be known as the “Mad Scientist” but he also should have another nickname: “The coach who can turn crap quarterbacks into 3,200-yard quarterbacks.”

      Okay, so “crap” might be a harsh word. Marc Bulger wasn’t crap, he was more of a relative unknown, and Jon Kitna did have some productive seasons before his back to back 3,400-plus yard season. But Martz’s latest project, J.T. O’Sullivan, might fill the aforementioned use of the word crap.

      O’Sullivan’s final numbers (16 of 28 for 256 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs) in the Niners’ 29-17 loss to the Giants on Sunday weren’t bad, but don’t be fooled. He has zero pocket presence, bad footwork and his accuracy is below average. (And that’s putting it kindly.)

      If O’Sullivan’s first half effort is any indication of his potential, than there’s no way San Fran should give up on former first overall pick Alex Smith. Not that Smith has quelled doubts that he’s a first round bust, but O’Sullivan isn’t the answer either. And Mike Nolan has to be the next head coach on the chopping block. (Enough with the suit, will ya?)

      On a related topic but different note, this was a nice bounce back game for the Giants after their debacle on Monday night against the Browns. Eli Manning didn’t have an earth shattering performance, but he was solid and the G-Men got back to running the ball effectively again. I don’t know how much you can take from beating the 49ers at home, but again, they needed this after their loss to Cleveland.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Mike Martz gets revenge on former team as 49ers blast Lions 31-13

      September 21, 2008 /

      Offensive coordinator Mike Martz helped his new team the San Francisco 49ers beat his former team, the Detroit Lions, 31-13 on Sunday.

      It was over when…
      Arnaz Battle recovered an onside kick with just over 6 minutes remaining and the 49ers holding a 15-point lead. Joe Nedney kicked a field goal with 4:25 left to take a three-score lead.
      Game ball
      Frank Gore rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown. His 27 attempts helped the 49ers control the clock in the second half, and his 33-yard run in the first quarter helped set up the 49ers’ first score.

      Key stat
      J.T. O’Sullivan was not sacked in 23 pass attempts, an almost unheard of streak in a Mike Martz offense.

      Noteworthy
      The 49ers are 2-1 for the second consecutive year. … Rudi Johnson rushed for 83 yards and caught a 34-yard touchdown pass for the Lions after replacing rookie rookie Kevin Smith. … Quarterback Jon Kitna was shaken up toward the end of the game and had his right knee examined by the training staff.

      The 49ers’ offense is starting to click. QB J.T. O’Sullivan was sharp, throwing for 189 yards and two touchdowns on 16 of 23 passing. Frank Gore was outstanding as well, rushing for 130 yards and touchdown. As long as the defense can hold its own, the 49ers can definitely compete in a weak NFC West, although it’s still hard to fathom that a J.T. O’Sullivan-quarterbacked team will make the playoffs.

      New week, same results for the Lions. They got down early, Jon Kitna had zero time to throw and the defense was bad. Outside of Calvin Johnson, Roy Williams, Ernie Sims, Kevin Smith, Dewayne White and maybe Kitna, the entire roster should be blown up.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Lions need more than just talented receivers

      September 1, 2008 /

      In the weeks leading up to the kickoff the 2008 NFL Season, I’ll take a look at position groups that could potentially lift teams to new heights, or bury them and their postseason hopes. Today I take a look at how the Detroit Lions will need more than Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson to be successful on offense.

      Roy WilliamsNFL cornerbacks are going to have their hands full trying to defend Detroit Lions’ wide receivers Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson this season. But even with the outstanding talent at wide receiver, the Lions are going to need way more help to succeed offensively in 2008.

      Over the past two seasons, quarterback Jon Kitna has thrown for over 4,000 yards and completed over 62% of his passes. But he compiled those stats in Mike Martz’s offense, the same Mike Martz who is now the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

      Kitna is a tough veteran who probably doesn’t get enough credit for what he does for his team on the field, but can he survive without Martz’s play calling and guidance? Looking at his receiving corps, it’s easy to say yes. But dig deeper.

      While Kitna has compiled outstanding numbers over the past two seasons, he’s also been sacked more times than any other NFL quarterback. The Lions did select promising former offensive linemen Gosder Cherilus in the first round of April’s draft, but he’ll need time to develop. Until he does, Detroit’s offensive line is likely to continue to struggle.

      Matt MillenWhile Lions’ GM Matt Millen deserves credit for building a talented wide receiving corps over the past couple drafts, it should be noted that it took him several tries (and several first round picks) to do so. Millen’s 2003 first round pick, Charles Rogers, proved to be a bust. Millen’s 2005 first round pick, Mike Williams, proved to be an even bigger bust.

      Wide receiver is arguably the most overrated position on the football field, yet Millen used four first round picks on wide out over the past six drafts. Only Williams and Johnson have panned out, while the offensive line remains a mess and the defense is void of talent.

      Fans love to claim how the Lions’ offense will be tough to stop with Williams, Johnson and underrated Mike Furrey. But remember, there’s only one ball and it’ll be tough for Kitna to spread the ball around to all of his weapons while he’s lying on his back.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

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