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Nolan Nabs Martz to Run 49ers Offense

Mastermind will attempt to resuscitate league's most impotent attack

By Jesse Andrews, Newser User

Posted Jan 9, 2008 10:16 AM CST

(Newser) – 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.

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... (Associated Press)

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz is seen on the sidelines in the Lions' NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in this Sept. 30, 2007, file photo in Detroit. The San Francisco 49ers... (Associated Press)

Detroit Lions offesive coordinator Mike Martz talks to quarterback Jon Kitna during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game against the New York Giants at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 18,... (Associated Press)

San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan is seen during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game in San Francisco, in this Nov. 18, 2007 file photo. Nolan will return to the San Francisco 49ers... (Associated Press)

San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan walks off the field after a 20-7 loss to the Cleveland Browns in the final regular season NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan) (Associated Press)

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Nolan Nabs Martz to Run 49ers Offense

Mastermind will attempt to resuscitate league's most impotent attack

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Kyle Williams Gets Twitter Death Threats

Big game miscues lead to angry online backlash

49ers Fumble Super Bowl Chance, Giants Win 20-17

Field goal knocks New York over the top in overtime

Pats Sink Bills 49-21, Clinch Top AFC Seed

Patriots top Bills, Saints crush Panthers, 49ers thump Rams

Ndamukong Suh Crashes Car

He smashed into a light pole, tree in Portland

Lions Player Ejected for Kicking a Packer

Ndamukong Suh denies it, but video is hard to dispute

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Nolan Nabs Martz to Run 49ers Offense

Mastermind will attempt to resuscitate league's most impotent attack

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

NFL • San Francisco 49ers • Detroit Lions • Alex Smith • Mike Nolan • Mike Martz

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Kyle Williams Gets Twitter Death Threats

Big game miscues lead to angry online backlash

49ers Fumble Super Bowl Chance, Giants Win 20-17

Field goal knocks New York over the top in overtime

Pats Sink Bills 49-21, Clinch Top AFC Seed

Patriots top Bills, Saints crush Panthers, 49ers thump Rams

Ndamukong Suh Crashes Car

He smashed into a light pole, tree in Portland

Lions Player Ejected for Kicking a Packer

Ndamukong Suh denies it, but video is hard to dispute

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?