Nolan Nabs Martz to Run 49ers Offense

Mastermind will attempt to resuscitate league's most impotent attack
By Jesse Andrews,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 9, 2008 10:16 AM CST
Nolan Nabs Martz to Run 49ers Offense
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex D. Smith (11) walks the sidelines against the St. Louis Rams in the second quarter of their NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007. Smith did not start against the Rams. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)   (Associated Press)

San Francisco set the standard in 2007 for offensive moribundity, but that may change next year; the San Francisco Chronicle reports that coach Mike Nolan hired offensive whiz Mike Martz to revamp a unit that trailed the league in scoring and yards. In two seasons, Martz had coaxed the previously woeful Lions to respectability before his firing.

Also the architect of the great Rams offense of 1999-2001, Martz got the nod over Chan Gailey; the deal prevented Nolan from interviewing recently sacked head coaches Cam Cameron and Brian Billick. Among other players, Martz will inherit troubled quarterback Alex Smith, who completed less than 50% of his passes in San Francisco's morale-corroding nightmare season. (More NFL stories.)

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