Tollner Named Quarterbacks Coach

Ted Tollner, who helped to briefly steady the 49ers offense last season, was named quarterbacks coach and assistant to the head coach on Tuesday. Tollner helped stop an eight-game skid when he was brought in just before the Oct. 25 Arizona game, a game the 49ers won 37-31 in overtime.

Tollner, who has over 30 years of experience in the college and pro ranks including head coaching positions at USC and San Diego State, is in his second tour with the 49ers.

He tutored Jeff Garcia as the quarterbacks coach in 2002 and 2003. Garcia went to the Pro Bowl in 2002, which was the last year the 49ers appeared in the playoffs. Promoted to offensive coordinator in 2004, Tollner presided over an injury-riddled and ineffective offense on a team that went 2-14. He was released along with the rest of the coaching staff.

Tollner moved to Detroit as the Lions coordinator under Steve Mariucci in 2005 and was demoted to tight ends coach after Mariucci's firing 11 games into that season.

Nevertheless, quarterbacks coach is a good role for him and it will provide two experienced coaches with Tollner and offensive coordinator Mike Martz mentoring that crucial position. Last year, the team had first-year coordinator Jim Hostler and first-year quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti in those roles.

As a former head coach, Tollner could provide invaluable advice to Mike Nolan. If Nolan used Tollner as a sounding board last year, he might have avoided the fiasco with starting quarterback Alex Smith.

Adam Gase was also hired as an offensive assistant. He spent the last five seasons with the Lions in various roles. The 49ers are still on the hunt for a running backs coach to replace Bishop Harris.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | January 30 2008 at 11:49 AM

McCloughan in Support

A 49ers' spokesman called to say that general manager Scot McCloughan was in support of Mike Nolan hiring Mike Martz as offensive coordinator.

McCloughan said that "there was no truth" to the interest in Martz when it first surfaced in a story by Sam Farmer in the Los Angeles Times. But Nolan later explained that McCloughan was simply repeating something Nolan had said earlier.

Once Nolan explained to McCloughan the reasons for hiring Martz, McCloughan supported the decision according to the spokesman. Nolan did address this somewhat in a conference call Jan. 8, after Martz was hired.

"I will say today before making the decision I did consult Scot. I said here is the direction I am thinking of going. We went through all the candidates and why I thought he was the best choice, which is what we do with personnel."

While Nolan didn't say what McCloughan's reaction was, I'm supposed to talk to McCloughan today about this and other matters.

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH SINGLETARY: The 49ers assistant head coach and linebackers coach seemed like a top candidate for many head-coaching openings at the end of the year. But Singletary has yet to have a formal interview with head-less teams.

Coaching super agent Bob Lamont, who represents over 20 NFL head coaches and coordinators, began to represent Singletary last season and got Singletary to compile a perspective coaching staff. Former 49ers defensive coordinator and former Falcons head coach Jim Mora once showed me the binders Lamont gave him to prepare for all the different aspects of being a head coach in the NFL. With the different constituencies a head coach has to court (owners, press, fans, players, management), Lamont likens it to being a CEO of a major company.

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Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | January 17 2008 at 09:03 PM

Role Playing

NoFear wrote I mentioned that Mike Nolan no longer has the decision on retaining players, which he doesn't. The reason I didn't preface those remarks on players Mike Martz might want to retain or sign is because Martz is bringing in a new offense that will require different types of players. Whether Scot McCloughan and his personnel department see it that way will be interesting. McCloughan and Nolan tried to build a hard-running offense, hence the drafting of Adam Snyder and David Baas and the signings of Jonas Jennings and Larry Allen.

Several sources said McCloughan didn't want Martz because McCloughan didn't think the 49ers' talent was set up to support his system. McCloughan apparently didn't want Duane Carlisle taking over for the retiring Johnny Parker as the strength and conditioning coach, but Carlisle was hired anyway.

Some believe Nolan, hurting after being stripped of his personnel power, wanted to exercise his authority with his coaching staff, so he hired the volatile Martz, who no one in the organization wanted. I don't know if that's true. Nolan, instead, could have looked at his special teams, which was arguably the best in the league, and his defense which was decent, and said, "If I get an offense, this thing could turn around."

So he turned to Mr. Instant Offense.

In St. Louis, fans clamored for Dick Vermeil's firing after he went 5-11 and then 4-12. So Vermeil hired Martz in 1999, and the Rams went from 4-12 to 13-3 and won the Super Bowl. The offense went from 27th in total yards to first after the team traded for running back Marshall Faulk, who replaced Amp Lee. The Rams also ditched quarterback Tony Banks who had thrown seven touchdowns and 14 interceptions and then they signed Trent Green, who Martz had coached in Washington.

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Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | January 16 2008 at 04:12 PM

Two Games

After pouring over two game tapes of the Lions offense, conclusions can be drawn about new offensive coordinator Mike Martz. The first was this year's 42-10 Lions' loss in Minnesota, in which Martz only ran six times. The other was the 49ers' 19-13 win in Detroit in 2006.

Here's a brief break down of each game:

-Detroit at Minnesota Dec. 2, 2007: This was one of three games in which the Lions trailed by 30 points in the first half, which explains the lopsided 36 passes to 6 runs ratio. It was also the best game of the year by quarterback Jon Kitna, who completed 27 of 35 passes for 260 yards. He also was hit 11 times in this game, including getting sacked four times.

Martz used every formation possibe - I backs, split backs (which the 49ers never use) no backs, one, two, three, four and five receiver sets. In the last three seasons the 49ers have used four receiver formations a handful of times and have never used five.

Of his 35 passes, 26 of them were on the mark. Of his 35 attempts, 22 of his intended receivers were open by 3 yards or more.

Despite Martz's complexity, they were few mistakes - only one dropped pass and despite 40 attempts to pass, the offensive line missed one blitz pickup.

What was surprising, was the relatively light use of shifts, which is a Martz hallmark. Of their 46 offensive plays, only 12 used motion. Martz does like motion before a run play, which the Lions did on four of their six designed running plays.

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Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | January 11 2008 at 06:16 PM

More Mad Martz

Mike Nolan has gone Joaquin Andujar on us with the hiring of the volatile Mike Martz. Remember Andujar, the former hard-throwing, light-hitting pitcher of Astros and Cardinals fame? Andujar's philosophy of hitting was to fetch the biggest bat he could find and swing as hard as he could at every pitch. That's what Mike Nolan is doing with the hiring Martz, at least that's the conclusion of a brief canvas of players, reporters, coaches and scouts, who were asked about the 49ers' stunning hire.

Everyone seemed impassioned by Martz - they either loved him or despised him.

One scout, who had worked with Martz in the past, said by the time he left St. Louis, his coaches were ready to punch him. Martz was described as controlling in his meetings and deeply moody - charming one day, and looking right past you the next.

All say the man has a robust ego, and that he'll clash with Nolan, who also has a sizable self image. In Detroit, some believe Martz either got his way or he threatened to quit. Apparently, the former Summa Cum Laude graduate from Fresno State, has invested well and isn't coaching for the money any more, so he can tell people to "screw it" easily.

Some took a cynical view of the hiring. Nolan, the theory goes wanted to make a splash because he and the organization were ripped for not making any significant changes after a season. Also, Nolan wanted to assert his own authority after getting stripped on his personnel "trigger" so he hired someone most in the organization didn't want.

ESPN's Chris Mortenson reported that ownership didn't like Martz, which is believable because Rams President and General Manager Jay Zygmunt knows the Yorks well and Zygmunt wouldn't even talk to Martz in their last year together in St. Louis.

One scout, who has traveled recently with some 49ers scouts was told Martz was getting a "token" interview and wouldn't be hired. Then everyone was shocked when he was.

On the positive side, one player said he hated playing a Martz team because he always knew where to attack a defense's weakness, and that his constant misdirection plays were confounding.

"If it wasn't for Mike Martz, the Rams wouldn't have won the Super Bowl," he said.

Jon Kitna, the Lions quarterback, said he loved Martz and his attacking philosophies, even though Kitna was the most sacked quarterback in the league the last two seasons.

Martz has an unquestioned record of improving offenses and quarterbacks and the NFL demands good quarterback play. Looking at the first four top-rated passers in either conference, all those quarterbacks led their teams into the playoffs (AFC: Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, David Garrard and Peyton Manning. NFC: Tony Romo, Brett Favre, Jeff Garcia and Matt Hasselbeck.)

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | January 09 2008 at 08:10 PM

Mike Martz Hired

Mike Martz come on down! The volcanic coordinator with the volcanic offense will bring the Greatest Show on Candlestick Slop to the 49ers. He'll have a tough task trying to top the Walsh offenses of the 1980's but he'll nevertheless be anounced as the 49ers' choice later today.

The hiring confirms two things - first, that Mike Nolan really does plan to stay out of the offense, and secondly, Martz's quick-trigger, explosive passing game will the fourth big shift in offensive emphasis in four years. Let's review:

-2005 Mike McCarthy and the West Coast/Bill Walsh scheme.

-2006 Norv Turner and the "digital" offense.

-2007 Jim Hostler and the meddling on the first two approaches

-2008 Mike Martz, who learned the same system as Turner, but has his own flourishes.

In order to accommodate his pass-crazed scheme the 49ers might have to change their personnel. They'll need a pair offensive tackles who can pass protect and a team of wide receivers who are quick and get open. It will be interesting to see if this changes their free agent and draft priorities.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | January 08 2008 at 01:58 PM

Martz and Other Matters

Here are responses to some of the theories put forth in the last few posts.

GREEN AND BULGER UNDER MARTZ: NoFear said Trent Green had better seasons without Mike Martz, a candidate who's interviewing for the 49ers offensive coordinator post.

Green had his best season with Martz in 2000 when he threw 16 touchdown passes, five interceptions and registered a career-high 101.8 passer rating with the Rams. If his numbers were doubled (he only played in 8 games that year) Green would had set career highs in yards and touchdowns. In Kansas City, he never went above a 96 passer rating.

Rams quarterback Marc Bulger increased his quarterback rating every year under Martz 81.4 to 93.7 to 94.4. Since Martz's departure in 2005, Bulger's rating has gone down: 92.9 to 70.3. The bigger point is Martz developed Green and Bulger during their formative years and made them viable NFL quarterbacks and neither had the physical skills of someone like Alex Smith.

COORDINATOR CLARIFICATION: The Browns' Rob Chudzinski and the Titans' Norm Chow have proven to know their offensive football, but neither would come to the 49ers unless their organizations wanted them to leave. Lateral moves are not allowed in the NFL, except for head coaches, and even then, it's tricky. Read More 'Martz and Other Matters' »

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | January 07 2008 at 02:22 PM

Martz to Interview

The 49ers are methodically going through their interviews for the offensive coordinator. Former Dallas and Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has already interviewed, Mike Martz is due in and so is former Dolphins coach Cam Cameron. Interestingly, former Ravens coach and Mike Nolan employer, Brian Billick, doesn't appear to by on the agenda yet.

Mike "Mixed Bag" Martz has an impressive list of attributes for the team's moribund offense and potentially disastrous detractors. Here are the positives first:

-A strong personality, Martz would have no qualm about pad locking his offensive meetings to keep Mike Nolan out.

-If anyone can revive a passing offense it's Martz. Before coming to Detroit two years ago, the Lions were ranked 28th in points scored, 27th in total yards and 26th in passing yards. This year, they were 16th in points scored, 17th in total yards and sixth in passing yards.

-The league is becoming more pass-orientated and Martz is at the forefront of passing offense.

-He uses a spread offense often, which Alex Smith ran so well in college and that could also suit Shaun Hill, who has a quick release.

-He's a terrific game-day play caller and he often inspires players with his attacking, wide-open attack.

-He does develop quarterbacks. Trent Green, Kurt Warner, Marc Bulger and Jon Kitna, in general, had their best seasons under Martz.

The negatives:

-Martz can get so immersed in his passing game, he forgets everything else, including the run game. As head coach he often let other aspects of the team languish, like special teams. His Rams were two touchdown favorites in the Super Bowl after the 2001 season and lost to the Patriots. Criticism centered on Martz's refusal to use running back Marshall Faulk more in that game. This year, the Lions ranked last in rushing attempts, which is something Frank Gore doesn't want to hear.

-Martz rarely fits his scheme to his talent. He's going to use the spread and get several receivers into the pattern even if his offensive line can't protect. The Lions, for example, gave up 53 sacks. The 49ers, which a much more conservative scheme and with 74 fewer pass attempts, gave up 55 sacks.

-An owner of a parade float-sized ego, Martz can be abrasive.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | January 06 2008 at 12:24 PM

Coordinator Candidates

First, the news: Patrick Willis is expected to be named Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press probably tomorrow. Willis, who also won Defensive Player for the month for December, led the league in tackles with 174 tackles, 33 more than Denver's D.J. Williams, who finished in second.

The 49ers might also find out tonight whether they will coach the Senior Bowl for the third straight year. A dubious distinction because coaching the game is offered to the coaching staffs of the teams with the worst records. No assistant coaches were seen cleaning out their offices in Santa Clara today.

On the offensive coordinator front, the stated criteria is an experienced NFL play caller who's had success. Here are some candidates

:

Cam Cameron - The just-fired Dolphins coach steered the Chargers offense for five years and helped develope Drew Brees and Philip Rivers. Even those who watched the 1-15 Dolphins this past year, said Cameron's play-calling was solid. Cameron is from the Norv Turner digital system, which the 49ers currently employ. From a logical standpoint, Cameron's the top candidate. His most impressive feat: Getting Gus Frerotte to the Pro Bowl in 1996 as the Redskins quarterbacks coach.

Brian Billick - The long-time Ravens coach won a Super Bowl in Baltimore in 2000. What's surprising was his lack of establishing a decent offensive team in Baltimore after emerging from the Vikings as a historically successful offensive coordinator with Minnesota. The 556 points the Vikings scored in 1998 under Billick was an NFL record until the Patriots broke it this year. Mike Nolan worked for him and Billick was drafted by the 49ers in 1977 as a lanky tight end. He has been exposed to Bill Walsh's coaching and even worked as a assistant public relations director for the 49ers. But has Billick lost his offensive touch? He was unable to develop former Cal quarterback Kyle Boller, who was a first-round pick. Could he turn the trick with Alex Smith?

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Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | January 03 2008 at 01:45 PM

The Right Move?

The 49ers have called a 1 p.m. news conference. With the expected announcement that Mike Nolan will stay and that Scot McCloughan will get a bigger office and more responsibility, the question is, is it the right move?

McCloughan is definitely general manager material, even though he has made mistakes. Overall McCloughan has proven to be a hard-working, well-respected talent evaluator, who's an information hound. He has deep connections with nearly every team in the league, which allows him a wide range of options in terms of trades and the ability to gather background on potential free agents.

Jimmy Johnson, the former Dolphins and Cowboys coach said the most important person on any NFL team is the personnel chief.

Also, the success of this shakeup greatly depends on how Nolan takes it. Will he be able to accept McCloughan's final say? Will he have the humility to repair his relationship with Alex Smith? Can he accept merely making suggestions rather than decisions? Will he be able to weather the withering criticism he'll face next year should the team start slowly? Read More 'The Right Move?' »

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | January 02 2008 at 07:59 AM