BigTen Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 Analysis: Martz throws first fit , but Marinelli still wields control Thursday, May 04, 2006 By Tom Kowalski ALLEN PARK - Rod Marinelli was prepared for this. Marinelli, the Detroit Lions head coach, wasn't bothered when offensive coordinator Mike Martz got upset and walked out of the team's facility Tuesday afternoon. According to several sources close to the situation, Martz was irritated by something - no one contacted for this story is exactly sure what that was - but Martz was angry. There wasn't a lot of drama or angst, Martz just decided to leave. He was back at his desk Wednesday morning and everything is fine. For now. Welcome to Rod Marinelli's world. When Marinelli interviewed Martz for the job back in January, it took Marinelli more than a week to make his decision to hire him because Marinelli had a lot of things to think about. On the plus side, he was getting one of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL. Since Martz was hired, nearly every person in the Lions organization has used the word "genius" in describing him. His knowledge of offensive football is unmatched - at least by anyone employed by the Lions in the last several decades. However, there's also the negative side. Martz can be overbearing, rude, unpredictable, selfish, pushy and extremely volatile. It was the "genius" part that won over Marinelli. That, and his refusal to accept anything less than 100 percent in terms of technique, execution and hustle. Martz won a Super Bowl as the offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams and he went back to one as the team's head coach. He's very set in his ways and has an unyielding belief in his way of doing things. But that doesn't always mesh with what Marinelli believes and here's where the problems begin to boil. Marinelli made it clear to Martz from the beginning that there would only be one voice in the Lions organization and it would belong to Marinelli. Still, Marinelli knew that he would have some power struggles with Martz in how to operate the offense, not so much in terms of the playbook and the installation, but in how it would be done. Marinelli is a stickler for beginning with the basics and building a foundation and moving slowly forward. Martz wants touchdowns and he wants them right now. From the day he was hired, Marinelli's approach has been one of intensity, but with patience, too. The only promise he makes is that the Detroit Lions will be a better team, more fundamentally sound, smarter and better conditioned. Martz, on the other hand, walks through the halls of the practice facility and -- this is true - says things like "Touchdown, Lions. Touchdown, Lions" and "Line 'em up and let's go for two (points)." Martz has no patience and zero tolerance. If he's not happy, then everybody around him is not happy. Speaking of unpredictable, here's the part of Martz that Marinelli really likes. During the recent voluntary minicamp, the offensive players were attending an early evening meeting when a suddenly irate Martz demanded that they go back on the field. Upset with the team's seven-on-seven passing drill earlier in the day, Martz wanted all of his players to go through the plays again. The players thought their day was winding down, but Martz made them suit up again and hit the practice field. That part of Martz didn't bother Marinelli, either. As the season approaches, though, there are going to be more clashes between Marinelli and Martz, but Marinelli is convinced that the unorthodox Martz has his heart and motives in the right place - he just wants to score and to win … and then score some more. It takes a mentally tough head coach to put up with a personality like that and Marinelli isn't intimidated by the task. In fact, as long as that offense puts up points, he'll embrace it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 I think you just described me! Except for the "genius" part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 I hope they ride this out to the regular season. The fight I want to see is when Martz calls their 3rd timeout of the half less than 8 minutes into the 1st quarter. That being said, I think the Lions do well this year, quite well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 I know many have been saying this for the last few years but I finally think that this is the year we see the Lions' potential become a reality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 My favorite line... His knowledge of offensive football is unmatched - at least by anyone employed by the Lions in the last several decades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 millen in two years: "but mr. ford, they told me he was a geeeeeinus!!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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