Nearly four weeks after the Chicago Bears cleaned out the majority of the offensive coaching staff, Mike Martz has been hired.
It will be up to him to turn around an offense that has been average to moribund during the Lovie Smith era, and based on the comments made by team president Ted Phillips last month, it’s a last-ditch chance.
Martz will be the third offensive coordinator in seven seasons for Smith, replacing Ron Turner. He’s got to get things going with quarterback Jay Cutler, who led the league with 26 interceptions this past season.
General manager Jerry Angelo called hiring an offensive coordinator the most important move for the franchise since he tabbed Smith to run the show in 2004. Martz interviewed with club officials on Friday, had dinner with Cutler the next night in Nashville, Tenn., and was chosen over Kevin Rogers, the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterbacks coach.
It was a long and winding process. The Bears were rebuffed at first. Jeremy Bates turned down a chance to interview for the job. The Green Bay Packers denied permission for them to meet with Tom Clements. Ken Zampese and Rob Chudzinski interviewed for the job. Hue Jackson turned the Bears down for an interview chance. Then, the Bears got to Rogers and Martz.
They chose the man with the more polished resume, with a proven track record for making passing offenses work. He’s got one year to fix things for his buddy Smith.
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The same teams that didn't go "uh oh" when Martz was the offensive coordinator in Detroit? "The Greatest Show on Turf" is what he lives on. Too bad that was 10+ years ago. I can't wait to watch Jay Cutler launching pick after pick 40 yards down the field. The Bears don't have Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt with Kurt Warner but they do have Orlando Pace!
Kurt Warner was an Arena League castoff when Martz got a hold of him. He saw the potential. I'm pretty sure he can work with Cutler et. al. And Pace won't be anywhere near the field or the city.
Anderson was starting his vehicle when he exchanged words with a valet. Police were called and they found Anderson to have warrants. The Cowboys are reportedly looking into the issue. Anderson posted bond at the Irving, Texas jail this morning.
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Feb 01, 2010
05:13 PM
Say what you will about Martz but I know fact that three particular defensive coordinators just went.... "Uh oh...."