FanPost

Does Martz Need to Go?


Before I begin, let me say I'm not sure whether I want Martz to come back or not. On the one hand, I think it is important for a QB and offense to have some measure of continuity in leadership and playbook. On the other hand, it's important to have a coordinator that will work with the strengths of the personnel, and is effective as a playcaller.

I was never in favor of hiring Martz. The Martz offense requires a quarterback that can stay in the pocket, quickly diagnose plays, and make accurate throws. It requires receivers that run precise routes. It requires an offensive line that can hold blocks long enough to allow 7 step drops. It de-emphasizes the run game.

We have an inaccurate qb whose strength is a strong, albeit inaccurate arm, and enough mobility and improvisational skills to overcome his inaccuracy and poor mechanics. We have a young wr corps that doesn't always run crisp routes or learn quickly. We have a offensive line that can't hold blocks. The best player we have on offense is our running back.

Poor fit notwithstanding, I gave Martz the benefit of the doubt, because I saw everywhere the stats showing the turnarounds he's had with much worse QBs.

Let's take a look at the Bears' stat progressions from 2009 to 2010:

2009 2010

Total Offense YPG (rank) 310 (23rd) 289 (30th)

Passing Offense YPG 213 (17th) 188 (28th)

Rushing Offense YPG 93 (29th) 101 (22nd)

So we've had a small improvement in rushing offense, but our total offense and our passing offense are worse, and both are near Terry Shea levels. These numbers are improvements since the bye week, when Martz was reportedly dressed down by Lovie and ordered to change his gameplan.

Further, let's look at Martz's player evaluation. This off-season we had "the big 3" signings. Martz obviously had nothing to do with Peppers, but reportedly both Chester Taylor and Shamu were hand-picked by Martz. Both those guys have been disasters, and expensive disasters at that. Martz's other hand-picked talent was Todd Collins, and he was reportedly the one who pushed Collins back up the depth chart despite the collosally bad performance against Carolina.

I don't have time to go in to all the in-game problems, but I'll touch on a few:

Our offense game plan in the first half Sunday, as well as the entire game week 17, was terrible.

Earl Bennet should never run an end-around, let alone in the most critical play of the season.

Calling time-outs as a play is being snapped that would've given us a first down in a huge situation was a killer--twice. Calling stupid plays after the time-out compounded the problem.

In short, nothing other than continuity would make me want to keep Martz around. He is not effective, he makes poor personnel choices (whither Aromashadu), and he makes poor decisions in-game.

I would float Jeremy Bates as a possible successor. Cutler seems to like him, and he's had success with him in the past.

This Fanpost was written by a Windy City Gridiron member and does not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of its staff or community.