New Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz fielded questions from the media on a conference call Monday. Here's a sampling of his comments: On whether he got impatient waiting for the opportunity after putting his name in the mix early in the process:
"Lovie (Smith) was very clear at the very beginning that this was going to take some time and he was going to go through it step-by-step. Still, that's always difficult (to wait around). But he did it the right way, especially since I got the job."
On the perception that he's not a great fit for the Bears because he likes to throw the ball:
"You know, (I'm) very pragmatic in the approach. And I think that you have to analyze your personnel, the circumstances and situation like Soldier Field, and look at what you have with the conditions and then proceed from there.
"Really, it's about winning games and just doing whatever it takes to take advantage of your strengths."
Photo: Mike Martz served as the 49ers' offensive coordinator in 2008. (AP)
On his meeting with Jay Cutler on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn.:
"It was even better than I anticipated. There was an instant connection. You know, that happened to me and (former Lions quarterback) Jon Kitna the first time I met him.
"This was really interesting because we just were on the same page in so many things. In fact, I really got excited. We were in a little classroom down there at Vanderbilt, and we were just kind of talking football. And he asked about special plays. I put a play up that was designed specifically for the Tampa Cover-2. I told him this is how we put it in, ran it through, hit a touchdown on it. He asked a question about that play, a wide-receiver split, that kind of just stopped me dead in my tracks. It just showed that he's so far ahead and on top of this type of thing, that veteran quarterbacks generally don't even asked that.
"We had a real good dinner. Enjoyed each other's company. It was a good chance just to kind of get acquainted."
On how long it will take to get everything installed:
"We will be hitting on all cylinders on opening day, I can promise you that. There is character in this group; I know the kind of people that Lovie brings in. With the coaches that are in place already with Darryl (Drake), Tim (Spencer) and Mike (Tice), the challenges ahead are just getting them the information they need to do to really get all the little details coached on a regular basis and we'll be ready to go. They'll want to learn it, and that's the biggest part of all that, is the willingness to accept it to learn what you need and this is certainly that kind of group."
On how his style meshes with Lovie Smith's "get off the bus running" philosophy:
"It depends on who you're playing. The physical part of it I think is really what Lovie is addressing. That's first and foremost. Everything starts in the offensive line -- everything. They allow you to keep your defense off the field, allow you to protect the quarterback, allow you to do what you want to do on offense. When that's established, which will get done, then I think more than anything else, you get off the bus and really you are getting in a position to hit them right in the mouth.
"That's one of the things with Mike Tice, that toughness and tenacity and run the ball and pound it in there and still have a chance to fake that, show that ball, pull it up and then Knox or somebody, throw streaking to the end zone. The mix-and-match between that, you do whatever it takes to win. Some weeks you're going to run it pretty good. The next week you're going to throw pretty good. But it's about winning, whatever you can do the best, that's what you do.''
On how he might use the Bears' receivers:
"Well, they've got some speed. And that really is kind of a diamond to me. When you look at that group, it could be a real strength of this football team. With (Devin) Aromashodu -- I hope I pronounced it right. (Johnny) Knox is really a diamond to me. And Hester, with what he can do whether he's outside or in the slot. The matchups on these guys are extreme.
"When I went to St. Louis from Washington, Isaac Bruce was too skinny. They weren't too happy with him. He was always hurt. Had this little guy, Az Hakim, and they didn't know what they were going to do with him. Rick Proehl, slow white guy. This is three-quarters of the Greatest Show on Turf.
"And really, what we'll do with these guys, I think there's plenty of talent there. I'm really excited about their speed and the potential. And what we'll do is give them every opportunity to explore that and not make a definition on what any one of those guys can do, but let them prove to us and put no limits on them."
On running back Matt Forte:
"There's so many thing you can do with him. He has the same kind of multi-abilities as (former Rams star) Marshall (Faulk). Soft hands. Change of direction. Good route runner. He's a very unselfish pass-blocker, so he's willing to stick his nose in there. He's the complete package. And the formation to get him matched up inside on linebackers and, on occasion, safeties will be a good part of what we do."
On whether he has a different view of the game after being out of coaching for a year:
"What shocked me was how many elite quarterbacks were in the league. I just couldn't believe when I looked at teams play, the level of the passing game throughout this league right now. It's never been like this. If I'm not mistaken, I think during the season, there were 25 Pro Bowl quarterbacks on rosters. There so many guys playing at a high level."
On the Bears' offensive line:
"I think the biggest issue here is Mike Tice. What I know of him as a coach, and being able to visit with him, I think this is just a terrific hire. ... This guy will get this group squared away and going good. A tough, physical group. They'll be attentive to all the little details. This will be a really well-coached group."
On the situation with the rest of the offensive staff:
"Darryl (Drake) and Tim (Spencer), I met with both of them and came away so encouraged. They're excited. They've been in this system before, the three-digit system. I just had a real good conversation with them and really excited about them and I look forward to working with them. In terms of the rest of the staff, discussing things with Lovie, but really those are things that are probably better left unsaid by me and addressed with Lovie.
On how quickly he will meet with Cutler:
"As soon as I get back and he gets up there; whenever that is, we'll start on a regular basis. We actually did talk about that, if this works out, and he was really enthusiastic about that, even just from the point of looking at tape and going into the bubble inside there and walking through things -- just he and I -- that when we get going in mini-camp that he has a full comprehension of everything that we want to do.''
On comments he made about Cutler's demeanor after the season-opening loss in Green Bay, and about working again with Rod Marinelli, for whom he served as offensive coordinator in Detroit:
"The thing I told Jay, the thing I felt bad when I watched that, was I felt like I knew what Jay was, I met him when he was coming out in the draft for quite some time up in Detroit. I felt like I had a pretty good understanding of who he was and the integrity and the dignity that he has and how classy a guy he is, and how he kind of misrepresented himself with that and really that was totally out of frustration for that game.
"He's going to be one of the elite players in this league for a long time and those are things that he's just going to have to deal with. That was a very difficult situation for him, very difficult, but a great experience for him to go through it and know now you've just got to kind of take that deep breath before you go in there. As a former head coach, you go through those things and collect yourself a little bit and then go in there. I didn't think it demonstrated who he really was ... those are all learning experiences for all of us.
"In terms of Rod, it was interesting because somebody had mentioned that to me a few days ago that there might be some sort of issue. Let me tell you guys this now: I went to Detroit after I met Rod Marinelli, that's the only reason I went to Detroit. When I left Detroit, it had nothing to do with Rod, there were other factors involved there, but nothing associated with Rod or disharmony. I had a real good visit with him when I was back there; I spent the morning with him, had breakfast and laughed about some things. He and Lovie have been good friends and there's just no issue there, it just doesn't exist."
"It was even better than I anticipated. There was an instant connection. You know, that happened to me and (former Lions quarterback) Jon Kitna the first time I met him.
"This was really interesting because we just were on the same page in so many things. In fact, I really got excited. We were in a little classroom down there at Vanderbilt, and we were just kind of talking football. And he asked about special plays. I put a play up that was designed specifically for the Tampa Cover-2. I told him this is how we put it in, ran it through, hit a touchdown on it. He asked a question about that play, a wide-receiver split, that kind of just stopped me dead in my tracks. It just showed that he's so far ahead and on top of this type of thing, that veteran quarterbacks generally don't even asked that.
"We had a real good dinner. Enjoyed each other's company. It was a good chance just to kind of get acquainted."
On how long it will take to get everything installed:
"We will be hitting on all cylinders on opening day, I can promise you that. There is character in this group; I know the kind of people that Lovie brings in. With the coaches that are in place already with Darryl (Drake), Tim (Spencer) and Mike (Tice), the challenges ahead are just getting them the information they need to do to really get all the little details coached on a regular basis and we'll be ready to go. They'll want to learn it, and that's the biggest part of all that, is the willingness to accept it to learn what you need and this is certainly that kind of group."
On how his style meshes with Lovie Smith's "get off the bus running" philosophy:
"It depends on who you're playing. The physical part of it I think is really what Lovie is addressing. That's first and foremost. Everything starts in the offensive line -- everything. They allow you to keep your defense off the field, allow you to protect the quarterback, allow you to do what you want to do on offense. When that's established, which will get done, then I think more than anything else, you get off the bus and really you are getting in a position to hit them right in the mouth.
"That's one of the things with Mike Tice, that toughness and tenacity and run the ball and pound it in there and still have a chance to fake that, show that ball, pull it up and then Knox or somebody, throw streaking to the end zone. The mix-and-match between that, you do whatever it takes to win. Some weeks you're going to run it pretty good. The next week you're going to throw pretty good. But it's about winning, whatever you can do the best, that's what you do.''
On how he might use the Bears' receivers:
"Well, they've got some speed. And that really is kind of a diamond to me. When you look at that group, it could be a real strength of this football team. With (Devin) Aromashodu -- I hope I pronounced it right. (Johnny) Knox is really a diamond to me. And Hester, with what he can do whether he's outside or in the slot. The matchups on these guys are extreme.
"When I went to St. Louis from Washington, Isaac Bruce was too skinny. They weren't too happy with him. He was always hurt. Had this little guy, Az Hakim, and they didn't know what they were going to do with him. Rick Proehl, slow white guy. This is three-quarters of the Greatest Show on Turf.
"And really, what we'll do with these guys, I think there's plenty of talent there. I'm really excited about their speed and the potential. And what we'll do is give them every opportunity to explore that and not make a definition on what any one of those guys can do, but let them prove to us and put no limits on them."
On running back Matt Forte:
"There's so many thing you can do with him. He has the same kind of multi-abilities as (former Rams star) Marshall (Faulk). Soft hands. Change of direction. Good route runner. He's a very unselfish pass-blocker, so he's willing to stick his nose in there. He's the complete package. And the formation to get him matched up inside on linebackers and, on occasion, safeties will be a good part of what we do."
On whether he has a different view of the game after being out of coaching for a year:
"What shocked me was how many elite quarterbacks were in the league. I just couldn't believe when I looked at teams play, the level of the passing game throughout this league right now. It's never been like this. If I'm not mistaken, I think during the season, there were 25 Pro Bowl quarterbacks on rosters. There so many guys playing at a high level."
On the Bears' offensive line:
"I think the biggest issue here is Mike Tice. What I know of him as a coach, and being able to visit with him, I think this is just a terrific hire. ... This guy will get this group squared away and going good. A tough, physical group. They'll be attentive to all the little details. This will be a really well-coached group."
On the situation with the rest of the offensive staff:
"Darryl (Drake) and Tim (Spencer), I met with both of them and came away so encouraged. They're excited. They've been in this system before, the three-digit system. I just had a real good conversation with them and really excited about them and I look forward to working with them. In terms of the rest of the staff, discussing things with Lovie, but really those are things that are probably better left unsaid by me and addressed with Lovie.
On how quickly he will meet with Cutler:
"As soon as I get back and he gets up there; whenever that is, we'll start on a regular basis. We actually did talk about that, if this works out, and he was really enthusiastic about that, even just from the point of looking at tape and going into the bubble inside there and walking through things -- just he and I -- that when we get going in mini-camp that he has a full comprehension of everything that we want to do.''
On comments he made about Cutler's demeanor after the season-opening loss in Green Bay, and about working again with Rod Marinelli, for whom he served as offensive coordinator in Detroit:
"The thing I told Jay, the thing I felt bad when I watched that, was I felt like I knew what Jay was, I met him when he was coming out in the draft for quite some time up in Detroit. I felt like I had a pretty good understanding of who he was and the integrity and the dignity that he has and how classy a guy he is, and how he kind of misrepresented himself with that and really that was totally out of frustration for that game.
"He's going to be one of the elite players in this league for a long time and those are things that he's just going to have to deal with. That was a very difficult situation for him, very difficult, but a great experience for him to go through it and know now you've just got to kind of take that deep breath before you go in there. As a former head coach, you go through those things and collect yourself a little bit and then go in there. I didn't think it demonstrated who he really was ... those are all learning experiences for all of us.
"In terms of Rod, it was interesting because somebody had mentioned that to me a few days ago that there might be some sort of issue. Let me tell you guys this now: I went to Detroit after I met Rod Marinelli, that's the only reason I went to Detroit. When I left Detroit, it had nothing to do with Rod, there were other factors involved there, but nothing associated with Rod or disharmony. I had a real good visit with him when I was back there; I spent the morning with him, had breakfast and laughed about some things. He and Lovie have been good friends and there's just no issue there, it just doesn't exist."
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"Really, it's about winning games and just doing whatever it takes to take advantage of your strengths."
- If stubborn Lovie could just say the same thing about his defense, we might actually have a shot at the playoffs.
38 Int's for the brain-dead QB.
That's me Kyle Orton
"Martz totally failed in SF and in Detroit where the head coach wanted to "get of the bus running the football"
Umm...he took a team ranking last in the league in passing to 13th. Do you know which team that was? 49ers..and that was with poor personnel. Kitna threw for over 4,000 yards in consecutive season in Detroit. The Lions were awful because of their defense. Get a clue ROCKET before blowing a lot of hot air with zero substance.
Go Chicago Rams 2.0!
Bottom Line: It is about winning. It will be the players fault if their is failure next year. Win games make the playoffs and see what happens from there. Forte is going to be a beast and Cutler is going to take us a long way. Our receivers got the speed. Let's see if they have the brains to be where they are supposed to be. With nothing to lose as far as Angelo and Lovie are concerned, this is the best move they could have made. Tice coaching up the O-line. 4 coaches who have had-coaching experience. The stars are aligning for a Bears Super Bowl run.
How about all you whiny, pessimistic, idiots go where you belong? Somewhere North for you to where your Green and Gold.
This will be a total disaster. Martz totally failed in SF and in Detroit where the head coach wanted to "get of the bus running the football". With the Bears lack of O-line, lack of good receivers, and lack of playing on turf, the offense will take three steps backward in 2010. We will also see over 30 INTs from Cutler as he runs for his life. The catch-phrase for Martz running an offense in Chicago will be: "Greatest Horror Show in Mud"
The Bears still need a QB coach how about the guy that just retired from Arizona, I think he and Martz might be on the same page.
not sure how this will work but it's better than ron. I cant wait to see maybe a 5 receiver set or Greg O. used more like D. Clark (indy), should be fun. I only hope we can be better but still lose J.A. and Ted I don't care if Lovie stays or goes I kinda believe he deserves a chance with a competent G.M. he did make the S.B. inspite of him and the players do seem to defend him. The truth is I am not supporting Lovie but I know the Bears if they can save a buck they will spend 10 bucks, so if I had a choice of the 3 stooges I would choose Lovie to stay.
"We will be hitting on all cylinders on opening day, I can promise you that.
How much do we all love reading that? I can still hear Turner try to explain how everything takes so much time: Cutler will take time; Hester, Knox, Aromashodu, etc... It doesn't always have to take a long time if you are teaching players properly and practicing like you should.
The St.-Louis-part-II experiment continues, and in a better direction. No doubt there will be better offensive schemes under Martz than in recent years. I just wonder if the fans, including myself, and more importantly the team, will turn on him when Martz makes his first poor play-call. Isn't Marshall a free-agent?
Welcome aboard, Thank goodness Lovie won the internal battle.
Can we fire Angelo now?