Re: Martz still in talks over Lions' coordinator job <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>DETROIT -- Former St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz has agreed to become the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, a job for which he interviewed on Tuesday, but there remains a fairly significant caveat:The two sides must still negotiate a contract. And those talks are still believed to be in the relatively early stages.Lions first-year coach Rod Marinelli, appearing at a Wednesday afternoon press session at the primary hotel for Super Bowl week, termed the parties "close" to a deal."We still have plenty of talking and working through some things to do," Marinelli said.Martz and Marinelli met for several hours on Tuesday but not offer was immediately made to the former Rams coach, who missed the final 11 games of the 2005 season as he recovered from endocarditis, a bacterial infection of a heart valve. The Lions did, though, offer the job to Martz on Tuesday night, after he returned him.The 54-year-old Martz was cleared by specialists treating his heart condition to return to work on Jan. 1. He recently interviewed for the Oakland Raiders head coach vacancy, but then withdrew his name from consideration over the weekend. Martz and the Rams have reached a settlement on the one-year, $3.25 million remaining on his contract. It is not known if there are any complications with that deal that might delay negotiations with Lions officials.It was clear from his Wednesday remarks, however, that Marinelli wants Martz on his staff and that, as a first-year coach, he has absolutely no reservations or insecurities about having a more experienced head coach on board."That man knows how to win and how to move the football," Marinelli said. "I like him and I would love to have him."Not counting the 11 games he missed last season, during which Joe Vitt served as interim head coach, Martz compiled a 56-36 record with the Rams. He led St. Louis to four playoff appearances, two division titles and a Super Bowl XXXVI berth. In his five full seasons in St. Louis, the Martz-designed offense statistically ranked in the top 10 every year, and was No. 1 in 2000 and 2001.Even for the innovative Martz, reviving the moribund Lions offense might be a challenge, given the unit's recent history. The Lions have not finished in the top half of the NFL's offensive standings since 1998, and were 20th in 2005. Also, the quarterback situation remains unsettled, as is the future of former first-rounder Joey Harrington.Marinelli said he has not yet spoken to Harrington and likely will delay the call, he said, until a coordinator is in place. Marinelli, the former Tampa Bay defensive line coach, said he has spoken to other candidates about the coordinator post in the event a deal with Martz is not consummated, and said he will wait as long as necessary to find "the right man for the job."Speaking to an audience that included many national reporters not familiar with him, Marinelli exuded the same passion that likely helped earn him the Lions' job. He spoke of wanting a strong team and strong coaches who would bring fresh ideas and who would not be afraid to challenge him."I don't want to have a bunch of guys just sitting [in a meeting]saluting me," he said.</div>What the hell did I just read? You gotta be freakin' kidding me, not almost with the Detroit Lions......
Re: Martz still in talks over Lions' coordinator job He was a very good OC with the SuperBowl Winning 99 Rams, I dont see why he couldnt be the Lions OC. They have enough pure talent on offense, hopefully he can revive a few of their careers.
Re: Martz still in talks over Lions' coordinator job Yeah I'll bet he can turn that Offense around, that particular unit has the potential to be the best in their division.
Re: Martz still in talks over Lions' coordinator job I heard last night on ESPN that he turned the job down.
Re: Martz still in talks over Lions' coordinator job <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DW20 @ Feb 3 2006, 07:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I heard last night on ESPN that he turned the job down.</div>Yes it was reportedly a contract issue, the money wasn't where he wanted it to be. Its a shame because I think he could do wonders in Detroit
Re: Martz still in talks over Lions' coordinator job Man, just like Tice, Martz is desperate for a job, and he'll take it in an underdog organization like DET.
