Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (10/01/2008 9:35:09 PM)
Comment: For all the debate regarding Pts/Game Detroit vs SF, I think it becomes very clear that Millen & Co have shown what NOT to do regarding wasted Draft Picks on WRs. Granted we have nothing to sneeze at in that regard, but we also haven't tied up millions in cap money on the WR position like they have either. Defense wins championships as the battle cry goes, so look to Martz more for giving the offense a chance to stay on the field and perhaps complete some extended scoring drives while alllowing the D a chance to recharge. I'm not enamored with Martz as the answer, but I'll concede that he probably has forgotten more about Offensive football then Nolan and Co have learned in 3 years of futile attempts. I would also propose that VD be molded after Larry Fitzgerald, bigger, stronger and probably more upside as a Slot/Flanker then a blocking TE. See how Mad Mike feels about his abilities. Move Vernon, draft another blocking TE on Day 2. OG/OLB/DE (no particular order) Day 1. Change is better then staying this BS Course.

Posted By: onewhiner (10/01/2008 6:55:23 PM)
Comment: So what's your point? If you're responding to someone's comments, the least you could do is refer to them in your post, idiot. Just common sense. Then again, we all know you don't have any!

Posted By: Southernniner (10/01/2008 4:25:51 PM)
Comment: I heard the Ralph/Nolan interview. I found it somewhat revealing, especially regarding Nolan's perspective on the whole Alex Smith fiasco. It hit me that Nolan thought the following: If Alex had complained about pain in public or in front of his teammates, then he was effectively distancing himself from the performance of the unit, saying "I only play badly when injured, everybody else is just naturally bad." Meanwhile the other offensive starters and staff look responsible for the offensive failure, while Alex comes out smelling like a rose--commentators like Steve Young would just love to embrace Smith in this way (Young even compared his situation in Tampa, where teammates smoked cigs in the lockerroom after games, to what Smith was going through here...obviously a misapprehension of the situation). The original sin was allowing Alex to play at all, which ultimately falls to Nolan's shoulders. Alex was put in a no-win situation, and it's not as if he handled it very well. Anyway, Nolan's perspective was the only thing I took away from that interview, which certainly doesn't absolve him of responsibility. Hope this doesn't reopen a bad wound.

Posted By: oneniner (10/01/2008 3:57:54 PM)
Comment: Peter King is a consistent moron....i have been saying that for years.

Posted By: Bill P. (10/01/2008 3:55:45 PM)
Comment: Matt. Great interview with M. Faulk. Looks like your moving up in the world. I love the Martz hire. I just wanted to say that I felt Niner fans are impatient. A new coordinator on both sides of the ball takes time to show success. I think Nolan has built this team the right way and I am excited for 2008.

Posted By: Marco from Stockton (10/01/2008 3:48:45 PM)
Comment: Bold was Nolan's move that I will agree on. But so was Custer's drive into Little Big Horn. I imagine if you went back two years to Martz's hire in Detriot Faulk said many of the same things. I don't like the move because I think it will do nothing but screw up the Offense for the 2009 year when they have to hire another new head coach and OC after six straight losing seasons. But I do wish him well. It seems the Nolan panic-ed & went from, one extreme to the other. It's a roll of the dice. Maybe he will change and moderate.

Posted By: KezarMike (10/01/2008 3:47:43 PM)
Comment: To:Traj - re: Ralph's interview with Nolan. Ralph can waste more time in an interview than anyone I ever hear. He spent over 10 minutes, going over and over and over Nolan's comments about Dilfer and Smith after Dilfer's "good" game. Not content to just get Nolans' answer, Ralph had to continue it over and over.....and I've heard him give interviews like this for 20 years...stupid trivial questions and points that are repeated and eat up the whole interview. Of course he never asked him about how he thought he might improve the receiver position or about Smiley or the QB Coach position or why Sullivan is so "great" but our receivers have been stinking for three years. Of course not. Just over and over about his comments hurting Alex's feelings.....see, now I'm going over and over it. Well, I live near LA now and can only get Ralph on the computer and I don't do that very often (though I do miss Bay Area sports talk on the radio; I've been here 5 years and only listened to a local show once, when the Dodgers had lost eight in a row - that was a little bit of fun.

Posted By: SF Wire (10/01/2008 1:45:56 PM)
Comment: The question by Rayden confused me at first, too. But I think I know what he meant to ask. Good question by the way Rayden. I think he meant to ask if they (the coaches) do well and have a 10-6 record or better next season, who will likely be the long term QB for the team, assuming that both Alex Smith and Shuan Hill peform well? I don't think neither one of them wants to be a Backup QB. I am curious what will happen....may the best QB win the job and stay with the team.

Posted By: Darth (10/01/2008 1:40:05 PM)
Comment: SI is only good for the Swimsuit issue. The magazine has been obsolete since the conception of the internet. If we can put up points next year our passrush will be fine. The games we kept close in our passrush was fine. The scheme changes when you're getting blown up. Keeping games close also lets Walt and Nate take more chances.

Posted By: Pat (10/01/2008 1:33:47 PM)
Comment: Peter King is a moron, and he continually proves this. Go to NFL.com and check the stats. Nate Clements led all CB's in the league in tackles! He has as many or more INT's and PD's then Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson, Terrence Newman, and Sheldon Brown. Watching this team all year, we know he was one of the impact players, game in and game out, play in and play out! OH, and Michael Lewis, the safety not punt returner, led all non linebackers in the league in tackles as well.

Posted By: carl (10/01/2008 1:31:27 PM)
Comment: Zed, I appreciate your scepticism. But I think the excitement is that whoever we got at OC was going to improve our offense. With Martz, there is a huge potential, enough potential to be excited about the 2008 season.

Posted By: Zed Rational (10/01/2008 1:26:43 PM)
Comment: Sorry, but a middle-of-the-pack offense does not "blow my mind". I don't think Lions fans would find Faulk's comments convincing. And Martz's record over the past four years (in which his offense scored 30+ points only 11 times in 64 games, and fewer than 20 points more than 40 percent of the time) does not lead me to believe that we can expect our team to start putting up a bunch of 30-point games. If you want to call that ignorance, be my guest. But hearing people in these parts referring to Detroit as a bad team is more than a bit ironic, don't you think?

Posted By: Parker (10/01/2008 1:14:11 PM)
Comment: mick13 - You're obviously far more astute than the overpaid sack of potatoes Peter King. It's easy to nitpick with Clements because of his fat contract, but he did have a solid season given the circumstances with our D line's lack of up front pressure. Watching from the Stick and watching highlight reels in NBC studios while munching on pork rinds are two very different perspectives.

Posted By: Dan in SF (10/01/2008 1:01:07 PM)
Comment: Mike is not a sharp person. The point is Martz is not going to bring a miracle. So we might go from 32 to 26, WOW! He was middle of the pack in Detroit, which if Im not mistaken is a better team in S.F. Look at the stats and record.

Posted By: mick13 (10/01/2008 12:56:48 PM)
Comment: I'd like to say a word or two about Nate Clements. He's getting trashed by SI writers Pete King and Dr. Z as being a disappointment. I don't think so. I often watched Clements from my seat at the 'Stick during time the defense was on the field. The guy was always near or in the play. The Niners had virtually no pass rush to help out the corners. Clements often blanketed his man, but also broke coverage to tackle runners. He's a complete corner and a valuable, voluble team guy. Remember it was Peter King who suggested to John York that he consider Nolan as a head coach. Thanks Pete, you were wrong on Nolan and now you're wrong on Clements. Any thoughts Matt?

Posted By: allen49stars (10/01/2008 12:54:50 PM)
Comment: Saying the 49ers have Smith & Hill who do you think the #3 QB should be Matt? Should it be a rookie that we draft or a vet we get in FA? Two guys I hope we take from this group with our late 1st and early 2nd; Frank Okam, Vernon Gholston, Lawrence Jackson, Derrick Harvey, Limas Sweed, Malcolm Kelly or Mario Manningham. Gholston seems like the only sure player to be gone when we pick late. Maybe Booty will be around in the 3rd.

Posted By: Mike (10/01/2008 12:38:30 PM)
Comment: Lions before Martz Madness: 2005 - Pass 26, Run 26, Total 27, Points 28. The Lions after Martz Madness: 2007 - Pass 9, Run 31, Total 19, Points 16. End of argument right there! That's significant improvement for a dog poop organization that will never field a good or winning team. They also have no D or Special teams to speak of... ZERO O line and running game. Not sure what's left to argue here Zed other than your ignorance.

Posted By: Bill in Rocklin (10/01/2008 12:33:32 PM)
Comment: I wouldn't call Martz a great hire, but I would call it a bold one, and one that I didn't think that Nolan would make. I had pegged Nolan as too insecure to hire someone with the credentials to take his job. With two SB appearances, he has those credentials. Also, those against the Martz hiring are missing two important points: First, this team is still capable of a stinker 5-11 record. But at least this team will go down in flames, not into the line of scrimmage on 2nd and long. Second, Marshall Faulk recorded what I recollect to be the only other 1000 yrds rushing, 1000 yrds receving season in NFL history. Given that Roger Craig was the other guy, I think we should all be OK if Gore can match that output.

Posted By: Pete in New Hampshire (10/01/2008 12:26:08 PM)
Comment: Great work Matt. I had to sleep on the Martz hire, but I woke up this morning feeling very good about and for roughly the same reasons you did. I like the roll of the dice. Now we have a chance. I'm obviously one who has little respect for Mr. Nolan and his Neighborhood, but the Martz hire feels like a committment to win NOW. Everyone seems to think we need to draft WRs, but I think we need to stock up the defencive line. It drove me crazy when Seifert used to do that, but I now see the method in his madness. Based on the roster as it is now, what is your sense of the positions most in need of new players?

Posted By: Jay T. (10/01/2008 12:19:56 PM)
Comment: Talking about what happened in Detroit is pointless - nothing EVER works out well there. Besides, Detroit's defense was horrible so their offense had far fewer posessions and typically with bad field position. When you consider that, the offensive numbers weren't bad.

Posted By: Indiana Jim (10/01/2008 12:19:32 PM)
Comment: Hey Dean, when Ralph speaks of vultures he doesn't mean Matt or Matt. He means the Chronicle and the Mercury News, but most especially the Mercury News.

Posted By: JJninerFan (10/01/2008 12:17:14 PM)
Comment: everyone keeps talking about Martz not running the ball... if i remember the walsh offense, he used the pass as a long handoff and passed to set up the run. i don't remember alot of 1500 yd rushers under walsh

Posted By: Zed (10/01/2008 12:13:16 PM)
Comment: Zed Rational I don't suppose he did because the Lions have always been awful and will always be an awful franchise. The fact that they were even in the middle of the pack coming from the absolute basement blew my mind and the minds of many NFL fans. The Lions were actually taking playoffs in late November. Kitna was talking about a 10 win season and they got off to a 6-2 start. That in and of itself should have blow your mind.

Posted By: Zed Rational (10/01/2008 12:10:40 PM)
Comment: 30-point games? The Lions scored 30 or more points 3 times last year. They scored fewer than 20 points 6 times. In 2006, the Lions again scored 30 or more points 3 times. They scored fewer than 20 points 7 times.

Posted By: Moron Killer (10/01/2008 12:10:04 PM)
Comment: Hey Darren - How can you predict a team's record in 2008 before the draft, free agency signing period, minicamps, and training camp? Are you kidding with that question? or are you 12 years old and don't know better

Posted By: allen49stars (10/01/2008 12:07:25 PM)
Comment: For everyone who thinks the 49ers are going to be some offensive powerhouse next year, here are two interesting stats about the 2007 Lions. They were 19th in yards and 16th in points. That means they were below average (19) & average (16)! Thats with a Lions team that has a lot more offensive weapons than the 49ers. By the sound of Martz offense you need to be smart, great route runners, good hands, and talented. Offensively we lack all 4, excluding Gore & Davis on the talent.

Posted By: Zed Rational (10/01/2008 12:04:18 PM)
Comment: Do you suppose that Marshall Faulk told the Detroit fans two years ago that their new offense would blow their minds? Update: no minds were blown by the middle-of-the-pack Martz-coached Lions offense.

Posted By: Dino (10/01/2008 12:00:05 PM)
Comment: Bob in Marin: "Martz Madness" very fitting because we're all feeling that right now. You should have that sign made when you go to the games. It's funny how we're all so angry just a few days ago about Nolan not leaving and now we're praising what a great hire Martz is. Maybe Nolan is not clueless after all when it comes to personnel. We'll see how it goes come game time. Let's just hope we pick up a true #1 WR via FA or draft and some capable O linemen for Martz. Either way, this coming season should be fun to watch. I can't believe I'm rooting for Martz when I used to hate his guts back when he coached the rams. But he's on the correct team this time so here's to some 30-point games come next season! Go niners!!

Posted By: Darren (10/01/2008 11:37:51 AM)
Comment: Hey Matt: With Gibbs resigning and possibly Mike Holmgren might not come back to seattle, what are the chances the 49ers just picked up 3 additional wins for a possible 6 and 10 finish? What chances do the 49ers have against the NFC/AFC East, 1 and 7 or 5 and 3? Finally, think Holmgren comes back to the 49ers in 2009 after he takes a break from coaching, if he steps down?

Posted By: Jay T. (10/01/2008 11:20:19 AM)
Comment: Matt, do you think Martz being hired as OC for the 49ers will make it easier to sign potential free agent wide receivers? I'd imagine a WR who wants the ball would love to play under him. If so, what free agent receivers might the 49ers consider pursuing?

Posted By: Graham (10/01/2008 11:17:23 AM)
Comment: On Barrows' blog there's a great breakdown of the O-Line's play this season, and how Martz's offense might change our O-Line complexion in 09.

Posted By: Rich, San Ramon (10/01/2008 11:14:35 AM)
Comment: Great interview and article in today's paper, Matt. But didn't you hear Steve Young being critical of Martz' hiring on KNBR yesterday? Shouldn't we let that guide our thinking? I mean, c'mon...what does Faulk know about football? ((joking))

Posted By: Randy (10/01/2008 11:02:34 AM)
Comment: I'm excited about Martz and Manusky as our coordinators going into '08. Manusky proved to be a great hire by Nolan. Hopefully, Martz turns out to be the same... Matt- It seems we don't hear much about Manusky? For a first time defensive coordinator, he seems to be doing a heck of a job. It would be cool to hear what the players have to say about him. They played with an attitude this year, despite the offense playing like crap. Hopefully Martz brings out the same on the offensive side of the ball.

Posted By: Armchair T (10/01/2008 10:26:07 AM)
Comment: It seems Martz likes the flexibility of using the whole field when attacking a defense. Does Shaun Hill have the arm strength to do that? Isn't Smith the obvious favorite for the starting job?

Posted By: Aaron (10/01/2008 9:45:50 AM)
Comment: Matt, what's the over/under on the number of times we see "the trigger" referenced in 2008? I know I'm having a lot of fun with it.

Posted By: Pat (10/01/2008 9:35:54 AM)
Comment: Is MoHicks an unrestricted free agent? Do you see him coming back? I actually think he'd do well in this type of offense. He seems to catch well and does have some nice runs when there isn't 8 or 9 in the box. With the offense structured as having the RB being the centerpiece, I don't want to see us going with only Gore, Robinson, Clayton. We need a solid backup. I imagine Moran Norris isn't too thrilled these days.

Posted By: goniners (10/01/2008 9:35:35 AM)
Comment: Did you see Matt's response below where he says the offense was using _at least_ 90 different plays? OMG, no wonder there were so many blown blocking assignments, illegal motion and formation penalties, and wasted timeouts due to confusion -- particularly at the beginning of the year. Hostler was being way too "smart" for his own good.

Response: Considering a teams should expect to run more than 60 plays in any given game, having 90 plays in the game plan sounds about right. I'm sure a lot of teams have more than 90 plays in the game plan. --Matt M.

Posted By: Jeff in Alaska (10/01/2008 9:22:00 AM)
Comment: Hi Matt, will Martz be making the decisions on clock management and whether to go for it on 4th down?

Response: No. Mike Nolan, like every head coach in the history of the league, has "the trigger" when it comes to those decisions. --Matt M.

Posted By: shobbrobb (10/01/2008 8:01:28 AM)
Comment: Micheal Robinson????Are u kidding me M.R.will never be any better than he has been a oversized Q.B. who cant pass, hes a tough guy who doesnt have the instincts to be a running back it just doesnt come natural for him hes far more mechanical than Vernon Davis who looks like hes doing the robot as soon as he leaves the line of scrimmage, Vernon has a chance to work through his, M.Robinson doesnt

Posted By: joe (10/01/2008 7:37:14 AM)
Comment: great info as always mat now i look foward to 08....matt your post are not coming in on sf paradise...when i go there two or three times a day i always look for your articals first then if i have time i read others but latley when i click on your articales they dont show any text...not sure if you can fix this but im sure you can get someone to...joe in napa

Posted By: MARCO from New York (10/01/2008 7:17:10 AM)
Comment: Check out Ken Garcias' "Fault Lines" column in the Examiner. It says it all, the Yorkies were the biggest disaster in the Bay area in '07. To paraphrase, the Yorkies have turned the 49ers into the worst franchise in team sports! Enough said. DO NOT RENEW your season tickets!!! Send the Yorkies a STRONG MESSAGE!

Posted By: oneniner (10/01/2008 7:02:02 AM)
Comment: as usual, you guys luv to take my comments and blow them up, so you can legitimize your thoughts.......Gore would be fine, we have already seen what he can do....Mrob had 21 carries in the season, he would benefit the most from Martz because since he was drafted nobody has spent lots of time with him, in the yr before he was used primarily in short yard situations, this past yr he wasnt used that much, Mrob is a better receiver out of the back field and he does have the experience of being the centerpiece of an offense(penn state)....nobody is knocking Gore, its my opinion he could have done more this past season than complaining about his o-line execution, and i am still waiting for him to show me the instincts of runner who understands where and where not to run, so far he just follows the plays and tries to make the most out of them......a good example is shaun alexandra, most of his plays are to the middle but once in a while the guy improvises by bouncing the ball to sidelines....a good question is how many times have you seen Gore run a sweep, clinton portis does that almost every game......to understand what my point is watch clinton portis and gore, you will see my point.

Posted By: wsmith (10/01/2008 6:54:44 AM)
Comment: The Niners should go after Rex Grossman (UFA) or JP Losman (trade) hard. They will need 3 good QB's in Martz's kill-the-qb system, and the odds are pretty good he could turn one of those guys into a Bulger.

Posted By: Dean (10/01/2008 6:05:38 AM)
Comment: Matt, how do you feel about Ralph "the Razor" referring to you and your peers as buzzards? Can't believe he would call out Nolan on a 4th and 1 vs. the Bengals in a game in which the season by all accounts was "over". It was over Ralph move on...

Response: I've been called worse. --Matt M.

Posted By: whut (10/01/2008 3:55:05 AM)
Comment: gel

Response: Gel is a noun that is a "jellylike substance." Jell is a verb that means "to become firm." I'm correct. --Matt M.

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (10/01/2008 2:56:57 AM)
Comment: Matt, did Hostler suggest that Nolan ran a 9-5 (Cliche) practice schedule? Which Mike will be learning to adjust to the others' way of doing business? For all the reasons to get excited about the change, (and I am TRYING), Nolan and his willingness to let go of influence on offense is key. If he allows Mad Mike to run practices and meetings as he sees fit things can be dramatically different next season. Somehow, someway, I see reason for excitement, but it nags me that Hostler intimated a rigid scheduling edict which may, (or may not), have impeded his ability to get things to click. Still comes back to Nolan, good and bad. Nolan=Control Freak. Martz=Free Spirit. I submit, Nolan & Martz=SF Odd Couple. Hoping for the best. We've suffered too long already. Going to take one for the team, and remain cautiously optimistic.

Response: I don't think the practice schedule will change. Every play would generally take CDs of game video home, but Faulk was saying that players in Martz's offense have to show an even greater commitment. --Matt M.

Posted By: Traj (10/01/2008 12:57:44 AM)
Comment: Hi Matt, Did you hear Mike Nolan on KNBR the other day with The Razor & Mr. T? My impression was he did not handle some of the questions put upon him by the two, especially Ralph, all that well. It was hard to listen to honestly, just about as hard as watching the Niners play during their huge slide after the second game of the season. Traj.

Posted By: MACK DADDY (10/01/2008 12:08:31 AM)
Comment: Hey Matt, 49erAli posed a great question. Got an answer?

Response: I answered it below. --Matt M.

Posted By: Medford (09/01/2008 11:50:44 PM)
Comment: The one problem with Gore is he is not the best recieving RB. How many times have we seen the ball fly right threw his hands? Hopefully he works on it this offseason.

Response: Frank Gore has led the 49ers in receptions the past two seasons. --Matt M.

Posted By: Shawn (09/01/2008 10:50:41 PM)
Comment: Hi Matt, do you think the niners would take a chance on a player like a Ray Rice out of Rutgers as their No. 2 receiver behind to be like a Maurice Jones-Drew/Dave Meggett type player especially if Maurice Hicks don't resign, it will give Martz another weapon to use, and they can use him in the return game, or is the Niners still have confidence that Michael Robinson can still be that No. 2 back, and Thomas Clayton be there no. 3 back?

Posted By: Shawn (09/01/2008 10:50:39 PM)
Comment: Hi Matt, do you think the niners would take a chance on a player like a Ray Rice out of Rutgers as their No. 2 receiver behind to be like a Maurice Jones-Drew/Dave Meggett type player especially if Maurice Hicks don't resign, it will give Martz another weapon to use, and they can use him in the return game, or is the Niners still have confidence that Michael Robinson can still be that No. 2 back, and Thomas Clayton be there no. 3 back?

Response: I know McCloughan likes Thomas Clayton, though Bishop Harris was not sold on him. Harris is gone. The 49ers still have Gore and Robinson, so I don't see them spending a high pick on a running back -- unless someone really falls in their laps. --Matt M.

Posted By: Tim (09/01/2008 10:45:14 PM)
Comment: Matt -- Which offensive players will benefit the most from Martz's presence? Which will benefit the least or be gone? By the way, terrific job on the blog.

Posted By: Vince (09/01/2008 10:39:50 PM)
Comment: Hi Matt, do u know how many draft picks the Niners will have this year, and will they have any compensatory picks this year?

Response: I believe they have seven picks. They don't have their own first-round pick, but they do have the Colts' pick in the first. Then, they have their own pick in each of the next six rounds. I don't recall any other trades in which 2008 picks were dealt or obtained. And, no, they will not get any compensatory picks. Don't you remember how they went hog-wild in free agency last year? --Matt M.

Posted By: Larry (09/01/2008 10:38:12 PM)
Comment: Here are the free agents, and players from the draft I think the Niners should target this year. The free agents in order they should target on Midnight East coast time on Feb. 28th if they are not franchised by their team. 1. Terrell Suggs LB/DE-Baltimore Ravens (If not franchised) 2. Justin Smith DE-Cincinnati Bengals 3. Jordan Gross RT-Carolina Panthers 4. Nnamdi Assomugha CB-Oakland Raiders (If not franchised) 5. Bernard Berrian WR-Chicago Bears 6. Bryant Johnson WR-Arizona Cardinals 7. Lance Briggs ILB-Chicago Bears 8. Ashanti Samuel CB-New England Partiots Next will be the College Players they should take at least in the first 5 rounds. Round 1: James Hardy WR-Indiana or Early Doucet WR-LSU Round 2: Adarius Bowman WR-Oklahoma State Round 3: Ray Rice RB-Rutgers Round 4: Eric Ainge WR-Tennessee Round 5: Dwight Lowery CB-San Jose State

Posted By: pcslave (09/01/2008 10:25:40 PM)
Comment: No Kool-aid for me, but I'm hoping paying for season tickets again in 2008 will be something that turns out to be worthwhile. It's all just talk until next season, but for now, talk's all we've got. Hoping for the best...

Posted By: fryet (09/01/2008 10:21:59 PM)
Comment: I am worried about Frank Gore in this offense. He is known as a slow learner, and they expect him to be on the field all of the time. They will probably need to simplify things for him so that he doesn't have to do too much too quickly. I hope he doesn't get caught up thinking so much that he forgets how to be instinctive.

Response: Frank Gore is the last player you need to worry about. He flat-out knows football. You're referring to his learning disability, but I don't think it's much of a factor on the football field. After all, he's had three offensive coordinators in three years, too. And he's been the team's best player over that period of time. I don't see that changing. --Matt M.

Posted By: Graham (09/01/2008 10:14:50 PM)
Comment: Listen, I'm drinkin' the Kool-aid, I love this hire. It should be noted, though, that it's dangerous to fully trust a man who says everything you want to hear. Martz is scary-good at this. I also have no doubt he's a scary-good coach; just saying, let's wait and see, and keep expectations reasonable. Look at this article from a Detroit newspaper, entitled, "WHAT MARTZ SAID: ALL THE QUOTES ON HOW GREAT THE OFFENSE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE." http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080102/SPORTS01/80102066/1049

Posted By: pcslave (09/01/2008 10:05:41 PM)
Comment: Sounds like we'll find out quickly who the smart players are...

Posted By: Wilson (09/01/2008 10:03:45 PM)
Comment: What's great about that interview is that Faulk, who is a thoughtful, smart guy, has a lot of respect and affection for Martz. In spite of ourselves, we are all starting to get excited about the prospects for 2008!

Posted By: pcslave (09/01/2008 9:58:20 PM)
Comment: Some really interesting insight into what it will take to run the Martz offense... http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080103/SPORTS01/301030016

Posted By: JP from Foster City (09/01/2008 9:56:30 PM)
Comment: The hire of Martz is a great move for the Niners. Forget the Superbowl. Bring on the draft!

Posted By: sro_pet (09/01/2008 9:52:08 PM)
Comment: Why don't they let go all of the offensive coaches? The receivers can't get separation and have too many drops. VDavis has not progressed as a top draft pick though he has the physical talent. Our offensive line leads the league in sacks. Why are sullivan, hoener, and warhop still retained? Thanks

Posted By: Rayden (09/01/2008 9:23:23 PM)
Comment: Alex Smith vs. Shuan Hill Both have potentials to be starters, but I have a feeling only one of them will remain on the team in the long run. Matt you answered to somebodys question and said that both Nolan and Martz will likely be gone in 2009 if they don't improve the team....my question is: If they do well, who is likely to be the future starting QB of the niners? Smith? Hill? Olson?

Response: Not sure I understand the question, though I think you're asking which QB gives the 49ers the best chance to succeed. I still think Smith has the most upside, but he also has the most downside. Hill seems pretty steady. --Matt M.

Posted By: "The Jim" Listner in Stockton (09/01/2008 9:18:48 PM)
Comment: Hey we show your blog love!!

Response: Glad you heard the show and checked out the blog. --Matt M.

Posted By: jeremy (09/01/2008 9:15:59 PM)
Comment: I smell a Super Bowl trophy coming to SF!!! Wait...... nevermind it was just almonds coming from the emerald Bowl.

Posted By: Kelvin (09/01/2008 9:07:48 PM)
Comment: Another point I would like to make. Everyone always mentions that Martz had all of this "talent". Fact is that he had Faulk who was proven and Bruce and that was it. But if anyone remembers, Trent Green was supposed to be the QB. He got hurt in pre-season so they went with unproven Kurt Warner. They also drafted Torry Holt who was an unproven rookie WR. Az Hakim was in his second year and Ricky Proehl was a journeyman WR. Again, I am not saying we are going to be the "Greatest show on Grass" or anything, but there are alot of similarities.

Posted By: kelvin (09/01/2008 8:53:03 PM)
Comment: This could be Deja Vu for Martz. In 1999 he took over one of the worst teams in football. The Rams were 4-12 in 1998. They were ranked 27th in total offense with scoring 17.8 pts/gm. Their best QB had 7td passes with 2500yds passing. Their leading receiver was their RB. He had 64 catches. Doesn't this sound so familiar to the 07 Niners. Then Martz takes over in 1999. They become 1st in offense. Their QB is the league MVP and throws 42td passes. Leading receiver is the RB with 87 catches and they win the Super Bowl. I know it is wishful thinking that Martz will do the same here but MAN it has to be exciting to have an offensive mind like him around. With a defense that hopes to be better with Lawson back and maybe a key free agent, we all have to be optimistic they we will at least be competitive in 08. We should all be excited. Dont worry about Gore. His numbers will go up. He already said he is not going home to Miami like he usually does to train. He said he is going to stay here to learn the offense. Imagine if he becomes 80% of Faulk was?

Posted By: dexdah (09/01/2008 8:52:52 PM)
Comment: Late in the season, did you all see how Shawn "Sugar" Hill would drop off passes to Frank Gore just beyond the line of scrimmage? That is where Gore made most of his receptions this year, and good yardage. It reminded me of Faulk repeatively ripping the Niners from drop-off passes from Warner or Bulger. Killer and practically unstoppable short passes. I will alway dislike Martz for those cheapshots, EXCEPT, if Martz applies the same method for Frank Gore. Radical hire for the conservative Nolan. Go Niners!

Posted By: Mad9erfan (09/01/2008 8:40:07 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt....nice piece. Thanks. Now moving along....who is Martz and the 9ers looking at in the draft, especially at WR? Your thoughts?

Posted By: jimpooba (09/01/2008 8:37:17 PM)
Comment: New RB Coach: http://www.baltimoreravens.com/Team/CoachBio.aspx?id=1354

Posted By: Bob in Marin (09/01/2008 8:15:41 PM)
Comment: Two months till March Madness. Nine months till Martz Madness! Can't wait. Could be interesting.

Posted By: Weary9er (09/01/2008 8:13:22 PM)
Comment: Super interview, Matt! This move was the kind of 90 degree turn we needed and if we're good enough we beat the Pats next year and get back on the NFL radar screen!:]

Posted By: Graham (09/01/2008 7:59:23 PM)
Comment: Matt, superb interview. Thanks.

Posted By: mj (09/01/2008 7:51:20 PM)
Comment: I really hope that we draft Limas Sweed in the first round to go along with this...

Posted By: Mrob is going to benefit the most from M.Martz (09/01/2008 7:42:34 PM)
Comment: AHHAHAHAHHA. oneniner, could you have picked a less significant player? How the hell do you figure he will benefit the most? The guys that will benefit the most will be VD and Smith. I don't recall Martz saying "Robinson will be the centerpiece of the offense" and I am pretty sure Martz isn't that great at developing special teamers and 3rd string RBs. Don't say another word and spare yourself the embarrassment. If you are 12 years old you should just come out and say it, theres no shame in that.

Posted By: Mike Hawk (09/01/2008 7:29:40 PM)
Comment: oneniner, where the hell do you come up with this stuff? how old are you? and where the heck do you live?

Posted By: The Juice (09/01/2008 7:27:18 PM)
Comment: GREAT QUESTION BY 49ERALI! I'D LOVE TO GET MATT'S ANSWER ON THAT.

Posted By: Jim in Walnut Creek (09/01/2008 7:24:13 PM)
Comment: Really excellent reporting work, Matt. Faulk is also saying that some guys probably won't keep pace with Martz. I don't worry about Gore. His football dedication is 24 x 7, dyslexia be damned. Smith, Hill, Battle, etc seem cabalbe, but I do worry about Davis keeping up the pace. Davis has really struggled in his assignments, (lining-up in the wrong place, leading the team in penalties, etc). Here's hoping that Davis can step it up and keep pace.

Posted By: 49erAli (09/01/2008 7:18:06 PM)
Comment: Great work as always Matt. Any idea how many plays the Niner's Offense would know going into a game this season? In other words, did Nolan and Hostler's Offensive gameplan consist of 25 plays, 50 plays, or 80 plays, going in to each game?

Response: I don't know the exact amount. I asked Hostler and he said the number varied, depending on the game plan. I'm pretty sure I wrote about. He said they'd have maybe 20 or something base runs, 20 one-back runs, and so on and so forth. I do know that during a typical week of preparation, they would run approximately 90 offensive plays in practice. So all those plays were definitely in the game plan. So, I suppose my answer would be, 90 or more. --Matt M.

Posted By: Ima Ninerfan (09/01/2008 7:13:06 PM)
Comment: ONEIDIOT just ripped somebody a new one! Hahaha! You gotta love it. I'm afraid some day we are gonna find out that idiot is just 12 years old and we're all gonna feel sorry for him!

Posted By: oneniner (09/01/2008 6:57:38 PM)
Comment: right now on ESPN2 (east coast)...niners vs packers 1998 playoff game

Posted By: 16280 (09/01/2008 6:54:13 PM)
Comment: Now that is some great stuff Matt right from the horses mouth. Kudos to you for an outstanding job. If Marshall's takes on what Mad Mike will do for the O this tear don't fire you up as Niner fan then your wood is wet. Guaranteed better QB play, monster season for Gore, Blow your mind...etc. I'm pumped and back on the wagon after having little hope with Nolan just days ago.

Posted By: Steve (09/01/2008 6:41:37 PM)
Comment: Since the Niners have Martz in place as the OC. Niners needs to get him weapons to play with. The niners have the centerpiece RB in Frank Gore. Also, the Niners have the TE that Martz never had in Vernon Davis, and the H-Back type player in Delanie Walker. Now we just need upgrade the OL, and WRs positions. Obviously, Jonas Jennings, and Larry Allen won't be back. In free agency I would like to see the Niners sign Jordan Gross from Carolina to play the RT position, you move Joe Staley to LT, and move Adam Snyder to LG. Now you have an OL that actually run, and pass block with Joe Staley at LT, Adam Snyder at LG, Eric Heitmann at C, David Bass at RG, and Jordan Gross at RT. Regarding the WR position. I dont think the Niners will dive in the free agency for any WRs. I see them upgrading that position in the 1st and 2nd round in the draft. With the late 1st round pick I can see them either drafting James Hardy from Indiana, or Early Doucet from LSU, and then with the 2nd round pick draft Adarius Bowman from Oklahoma State. Now the Niners have either Hardy or Doucet, and Bowman as you no. 1 and no. 2 WR. They still have Arnez Battle as the Ricky Prohl type No. 3 receiver, Ashley Lelie and Jason Hill that can stretch the flied Vertically with their speed has the no. 4, and no. 5 receivers especially since Martz does use the spread alot.

Posted By: Alex, Frank, and Vernon (09/01/2008 6:41:22 PM)
Comment: Did you read what I just read? It's a "system" with an emphasis on a "spread" formation that requires a lot of "intelligence" out of the players to master the entire "system". My goodness, that sure sounds like all the knocks on Alex Smith. He was starting to get written off as a system QB that can only play in the spread offense. Say it aint so? We are going to utilize this guys skills FINALLY and put him in the ideal system? Gents - Don't write off Alex Smith just yet!!! To recap - Martz has never had the inside running talents of a Frank Gore, the athleticism and escapability of a Alex Smith, or the size and speed at TE of a Vernon Davis. Get your popcorn ready--.

Posted By: ONEIDIOT (09/01/2008 6:36:55 PM)
Comment: Here is the first paragraph from what Mike is talking about: "Frank Gore planned to spend the offseason in his native Florida, but after today's hiring of new offensive coordinator Mike Martz, Gore is willing to change his address back to Santa Clara. "I've got to be out there," Gore said by phone. "Got a new offense to learn."" Don't ever try to act as an expert again because it seems like you are pulling stuff out of your behind. This is yet another incident where you seem clueless. 49er/NFL nut, what a joke.

Posted By: Mike in SF #2 (09/01/2008 6:35:55 PM)
Comment: Sorry about the broken link below. Here is what Gore said: "Gore Responses Frank Gore planned to spend the offseason in his native Florida, but after today's hiring of new offensive coordinator Mike Martz, Gore is willing to change his address back to Santa Clara. "I've got to be out there," Gore said by phone. "Got a new offense to learn."

Posted By: Richard (09/01/2008 6:34:54 PM)
Comment: I don't know how you find the time to post so many blogs, write so many articles for the Press Demo, do interviews, and talk to the guys at KNBR, but I'm sure appreciative. Can we expect a comprehensive analysis of what the Niners will need this offseason via FA and the Draft in the next month or two? (after the things seem to calm down in Santa Clara)

Posted By: Mike in SF #2 (09/01/2008 6:30:51 PM)
Comment: Oneniner and anyone else questioning Gore need only look at his interview with Kevin Lynch of the Chron yesterday: http://www.sfgate.com/cgibin/blogs/ninerinsider/index?blogid=45

Posted By: Jay (09/01/2008 6:17:50 PM)
Comment: Great stuff Matt, as always. I'm very excited to see what Martz can do to this offense - I love to hear that it's about each player understanding the system and the play and not just his role in it. I think that's extremely important and underrated.

Posted By: shootme (09/01/2008 6:15:48 PM)
Comment: Perhaps the fact that Martz runs such a complex offense will benefit Smith. He's long been touted as one of the smartest quarterbacks...

Posted By: razoreater (09/01/2008 6:09:13 PM)
Comment: matt-did u ask marshall if he would be willing to be our rb coach?

Posted By: ONEIDIOT (09/01/2008 6:03:04 PM)
Comment: What are you talking about? Do you know Gore personally, or are you some expert who has been around him to say that you have doubts about Gore's discipline. He is one of the most dedicated players we have you moron. And how is his talent going to help YOU? Yeah you are right though, we do need A FEW MORE TALENT, what dumb teacher passed you in English back in elementary school? Also wouldn't Hardy be in the FEW MORE TALENT we need? After all he is a talented guy you want right? There should be a book written which has a chronological list of all your comments you have left on this blog, it would make for a good laugh and an example to show third graders on how not to write.

Posted By: Bruce (09/01/2008 5:58:28 PM)
Comment: Great insights. I'm starting to share your enthusiasm for this hire. Any thoughts on why Bishop Harris was let go or why George Warhop doesn't seem to be held accountable for poor o-line play?

Posted By: Michael (09/01/2008 5:56:59 PM)
Comment: Matt, you are the man. I think u are the only one who as connections. hahaha. Anyways, I agree that Frank Gore, and VD will benefit with Martz being the OC. However, I think there is probably one more player on the Niners that could really flourish in the Martz offense is Delanie Walker. I think he might the better hands probably of all the receivers. Do you see if Mike Martz might think about moving him back to the WR position, or keep him where he is, and use him more of H-Back?

Posted By: oneniner (09/01/2008 5:51:42 PM)
Comment: Mrob is going to benefit the most from M.Martz....I question Gore's discpline when it comes to learning a playbook, but his talent should help me.....this is exciting...we just need a few more talent....and WR james hardy from Indiana

Posted By: Mike - IL (09/01/2008 5:50:16 PM)
Comment: Matt, great post. Thanks for all the constant updates. My question is, wasn't there a knock on Vernon coming out of college that he would have problems digesting a pro offense?

Posted By: Dave (09/01/2008 5:47:38 PM)
Comment: Awesome Matt. Thanks.