An interesting article from 2006 about when Mike Martz returned as Lions OC to face Marc Bulger and the Rams.
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http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/rams/3971
In Martz Madness, Rams make final score
By Steve Reynolds | Sunday, October 01, 2006
When former
St. Louis Rams' head coach Mike Martz entered the Dome for Sunday's game, it was like old times, especially from the scoreboard's perspective.
Like many of the pundits predicted, the Rams and Lions exchanged offensive fireworks all afternoon, with the Rams pulling it out at the end, 41-34. However, excessive penalties on both sides marred the entire contest and despite the Rams' victory, this week's grades aren't stellar overall. The wild shootout saw the Rams find their offense but lose their defense; maybe they'll find it where they misplaced their special teams:
Offense
Quarterback: It seems Marc Bulger has finally shaken off the rust and found the form he is capable of. Bulger has often been accused of being a "system quarterback," in that his success of previous years should be attributed to Martz' offense rather than his own merit. Bulger has proven that he is still among the more accurate passers in the game and threw for over 300 yards for a second consecutive week.
While not quite perfect in the end zone yet, Bulger broke the Rams' offensive malaise to the tune of three touchdown passes. If anything, Bulger is a better quarterback without Martz, as his having yet to throw an interception this season will attest.
Grade: A
Running backs: Memo to Steven Jackson: Auditions for Dancing with the Stars are closed. Jackson had a respectable 81 yards rushing on Sunday but his penchant toward halting his momentum in the backfield is turning potentially good performances into average ones. When Jackson learns that he can't look to make the highlight films on every play and simply runs north and south, he'll be difficult to stop.
On a more positive note, Jackson is proving to be a reliable receiving threat, contributing 65 yards. Stephen Davis illustrated that he is more than just an insurance policy and punished the Lions late in relief of Jackson.
Grade: B
Receivers: There is simply no better starting duo in the league than Torry Holt and Issac Bruce. The Rams' receivers abused the Lions' secondary all afternoon; each reached the 100-yard plateau and added a touchdown apiece. Rookie tight end Joe Klopfenstein caught his first NFL touchdown.
Grade: A
Offensive Line: Given Orlando Pace's absence due to the lingering effects of a concussion, the Rams' line could have been a complete disaster. However, the revamped unit played well considering it was without arguably the best tackle in the league, yielding only a single sack. The Lions were able to occasionally get in the backfield and harass Bulger, but it was a solid effort nonetheless.
Grade: B +
Defense
Defensive Line: Leonard Little did his usual dependable job in harrying Lions quarterback Jon Kitna, earning a sack in the process. However, Little's excessive arguing with officials after a roughing the passer call led to an inexcusable additional 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Rams cannot afford such ridiculous mistakes, especially in tight games.
Rookie defensive end Victor Adeyanju showed that he can play run defense and the announcers actually mentioned Jimmy Kennedy's name as he got a paw up and batted down a pass. However, Kitna was able to sit in the pocket with impunity and target his receivers all day long. The Rams must do a better job of generating pressure.
Grade: C
Linebackers: Pisa Tinoisamoa tallied a sack and Will Witherspoon continues to prove that he is invaluable to the Rams' defense with his stellar play, but the Rams gave up 93 yards at nearly five yards per carry to running back Kevin Jones.
Grade: C +
Secondary: Youngsters O.J. Atogwe and Jerome Carter each contributed an interception and Corey Chavous was a tackling machine, but the Rams' defenders were absolutely gutted by Lions receivers Roy Williams and former Ram Mike Furrey.
Mike Martz knows his former team well and was able to take advantage of weak spots in the Rams' zone. The Rams are a team still searching for a defensive identity and the secondary's sieve-like performance will prove terminal against teams with defenses St. Louis can't drop 40 points on.
Grade: C
Special Teams: In a word, frustrating. The Rams looked as if they had left the ineptitude of their special teams in the past but reality had a way of reasserting itself on Sunday. The Rams' coverage unit was absolutely abysmal, allowing 237 yards on kickoff returns. Jeff Wilkins added four field goals but missed a critical fourth-quarter attempt that would have put the game away. Matt Turk was solid, bailing the Rams' offense out the few times it stalled deep in its own territory.
Grade: C
Martz homecoming was as advertised, a wild offensive showcase with the lead changing five times in the second half. The erratic defense, likewise, paid homage to past Martz-led teams, earning a plethora of penalties and being unable to stop the opposition's passing attack. The Rams will definitely take the odd, though nonetheless hard- earned, victory.
Indeed, the match with Mad Mike was everything it was cracked up to be.
