Martz Will Make Detroit Offense Better

Like him or not, Mike Martz is an offensive genius. He proved that with the St. Louis Rams when he was at the controls of an offense that ranked number one in the NFL from 1999-2001.

The Rams offense scored over 500 points and gained over 7,000 yards for three straight seasons. Something that was never done before and may never be again.

That's the reason why new Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli wooed Martz to the Motor City. Even after he turned down the offer originally, Marinelli kept persuading until Martz gave in and accepted the job as offensive coordinator.

He was needed big time.

The Lions offense hasn't fulfilled the expectations of fans or management the last three years. GM Matt Millen drafted three wide receivers (Charles Rogers, Roy Williams and Mike Williams) in the first round in three of the last four drafts. They have underachieved in a big way and, fair or not, Millen's name is hated in the Motor City because of it.

Joey Harrington, the second overall pick in 2002, never panned out and is now in Miami. RB Kevin Jones, who gained 1,133 yards as a rookie in 2004, fell off the pace big time last year with only 664 yards on the ground.

Martz is inheriting a dysfunctional offense and that's exactly the way he likes it. When he became offensive boss of the Rams in 1999, he took the reins of an offense that ranked 22nd in the league and took them to first in one season.

He made his presence felt immediately at Detroit's mini-camp and when he finally addressed the media for the first time as a Lion on Thursday. He said that some of the players ''were grossly out of shape."

Martz did say that they had a long way to go, but that strides are being made. "We teach all the details, then we start putting it together," Martz said. "Once they learn the details, then you start mixing and matching, then it becomes a lot of fun. But we're a long ways away from that."

As erratic, unpredictable and maddening as Martz is as a head coach, he is just as awe-inspiring and amazing as an offensive coordinator. The 'Greatest Show on Turf' days with the Rams, especially the 1999 and 2001 Super Bowl years, proved beyond a shadow of a doubt his ability to call plays and creating intricate game plans.

His knack for developing quarterbacks is another strength that will help the Lions tremendously. And with Jon Kitna and Josh McCown coming in to replace Harrington and Jeff Garcia, Millen, Marinelli and company are looking for that Martz magic to come through once again.

The list of quarterbacks he has turned into solid NFL players is impressive: Jake Plummer, Trent Green, Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger.

He coached Plummer at Arizona State, Green in Washington and Warner and Bulger in St. Louis. Everyone knows Warner's Cinderella story, going from grocery bagger to NFL and Super Bowl MVP. Kitna and McCown are veterans with tons of experience, so don't be surprised if one of them (most likely Kitna) has a big year in 2006.

He will demand discipline and effort, qualities the Lions desperately need on the offensive side of the ball. He may not be the best liked coach by his players, but he is a successful one and in the end, that's all that matters to the fans and the city.

One thing is certain - no matter what Detroit's record is - defenses will be in fear of the Lion offense in 2006. And the reason for that is Mike Martz.

Check out the most complete guide to coaching youth football ever created!