Mike Martz

[RmsLegends]

Without some specific evidence, we are just going to have to disagree on that.
Especially when Martz held a press conference when he was coach, to reiterate the fact that he did have final say. Shaw/Ziggy did nothing (certainly publically) to refute that.

My apologies I could not find the original links to these articles, but I did find them on another Ram's board so I will post the link to it if ya want to read the full articles. As well as on some of these articles I found the link to the local St. Louis newspaper, but since I don't live there I don't have a subscription to the paper, but will post the links for anyone who does to read the article on their site. For this thread though I am only gonna post directly to your wanting evidence. However like I said I will post the links to the other forum as well as the links I have to the local paper.

Petty bickering need not be in the future at Rams Park
BY BERNIE MIKLASZ
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jan 08, 2006

..................How are the Rams being portrayed? Len Pasquarelli on ESPN.com wrote: "This has been a dysfunctional franchise, one fraught with infighting and influence-peddling and internecine bickering, and with considerable palace intrigue. There is a sense that everyone has his own agenda, that the various departments rarely work in concert, and that things are frayed at the seams."

That theme is being sounded by other NFL pundits. Rams Park sounds like a scary place to work, and that could chase off attractive coaching candidates.

Obviously, the Rams have been dysfunctional for a while; I've written about the situation many times. But I also believe it's important to understand why the Rams failed to function smoothly, and what can be done to correct it.

It isn't a hopeless situation. More than anything, the conniving and the chaos resulted from the ugly deterioration of the once-strong bond between Martz and director of football operations Jay Zygmunt.

In revising the executive branch following Dick Vermeil's retirement, Shaw set up a checks-and-balances system with his key employees: Martz, Zygmunt and general manager Charley Armey.

Martz was granted considerable authority over personnel matters, but he could be vetoed by Shaw, or, by extension, Zygmunt. When Martz and Zygmunt got along, there was no real disharmony. Armey felt left out in the Martz-Zygmunt alliance, but Armey retained a valuable presence in scouting.

http://business.highbeam.com/435553/article-1G1-140646055/petty-bickering-need-not-future-rams-park
http://www.clanram.com/forums/f11/petty-bickering-need-not-future-rams-park-14103/


SI's M. Silver on Rams Front office--W-O-W
I am just the deliver of this. But, all I can say is WOW!!

By Michael Silver

............Less than 48 hours after the franchise had won its first championship, however, 63-year-old coach Dick Vermeil retired, and Martz was named his successor. At the same time, Shaw announced an organizational restructuring: Zygmunt, an old friend of Shaw's and a team employee since the early 1980s, was promoted from salary-cap specialist to director of football operations; Armey moved up from vice president of player personnel to general manager; and Martz was given control of player personnel decisions, though Shaw held veto power.

After a choppy first season, at the end of which St. Louis lost in the wild-card round of the playoffs, Martz guided the Rams to a 14-2 record in '01. They were 14-point favorites over the Patriots entering the Super Bowl but lost 20-17. This time Martz's play-calling was widely questioned. Though New England frequently sent in extra defensive backs, essentially daring the Rams to run, Martz stuck to the passing attack. From then on, several current and former players and staffers say, the close relationship between Zygmunt and Martz began to deteriorate, with battles over personnel becoming more frequent. Though Martz had nominal power, Zygmunt became more assertive in his personnel recommendations, and Shaw would sometimes side with him over Martz.

http://www.clanram.com/forums/f11/sis-m-silver-rams-front-office-w-o-w-12725/
http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1113892/index.htm

Who Is Jay Zygmunt?

September 26th, 2008

Jeff

Posted in Features

After the Rams won the Super Bowl in January 2000, Dick Vermeil suddenly retired which left the Rams in a lurch.They needed to restructure the organization and in the restructure Jay Zygmunt was named President of Football Operations. Also, as we all know, Mike Martz was named Head Coach and Charlie Armey was named General Manager. Martz still had the final call on all personnel decisions, but needed both Armey and Zygmunt’s approval. But if Martz had final call on all decisions, why would have need Armey and Zygmunt’s approval? In either case, Armey was in charge of evaluating talent, but the Rams still did not have a full scouting department, instead relying on an outside scouting agency.At this point, the Rams were a three-headed checks and balances front office with Armey, Zygmunt and Martz.

http://www.ramsgab.com/2008/09/26/who-is-jay-zygmunt/


ON PRO FOOTBALL.
A most valuable president for Rams
Zygmunt's skill with salary cap a key to success
January 31, 2002|BY DON PIERSON.

..........Zygmunt referees debate between coach Mike Martz and general manager Charley Armey and calls the notion of intramural friction "beyond inaccurate."
Conflict among the decision-makers would make it "impossible to get all the things we've gotten done," Zygmunt said. "Everything we do, we do with heavy consensus."

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...gmunt-salary-cap-rams-owner-georgia-frontiere

MARTZ, ARMEY DENY REPORTS OF STRUGGLE FOR POWER WITH RAMS: ROLES ARE CLEARLY DEFINED, THE TEAM'S PRESIDENT SAYS.(Sports)
Article from: St Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) | December 12, 2001 | Thomas,


When the Rams won the Super Bowl following the 1999 season, Charley Armey got a pay raise and the title of general manager. But Mike Martz got the power to make personnel decisions, along with the head-coaching position.

So Martz wonders how there could be a power struggle at Rams Park between him and Armey, as has been speculated in some recent media reports.

"It's impossible to have a power struggle," Martz said. "I have the final decision, with Jay's approval, on all the personnel decisions. I have had it since two years ago, when I started this job. That's in my contract."

Armey also denies reports that he and Martz aren't getting along.

Martz and club president Jay Zygmunt separately showed copies of Martz's contract, dated Feb. 1, 2000, to the Post-Dispatch on Tuesday. They had no intent to embarrass Armey but rather to clear up any misconceptions about the decision-making process at Rams Park.

http://business.highbeam.com/435553...-armey-deny-reports-struggle-power-rams-roles


JUDGE: Rams' hierarchy rift greatly exaggerated


The New England Patriots look at St. Louis and wonder how you break up Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk. Not me. When I study the Rams I wonder how you bring Mike Martz and Charley Armey together. Martz is the head coach of the Rams. Armey is the general manager. They've been together three years, but the scuttlebutt is that they've never been farther apart. From everything I read and heard they don't get along and barely talk. Check that. They don't talk. At least that's what I read. So how come they can be seen together at practices dissecting personnel, and how come Martz was in Armey's office at 5 a.m. on Wednesday? Armey knows, and it's far, far from what I ... you ... we ... have been led to believe. St. Louis, we don't have a problem. "That's never been further from the truth," Armey said of reports of friction with his head coach. "Mike is the easiest guy in the world for me to be around as far as work goes. I've known Mike Martz since I drafted his quarterback in 1977 when he was a junior-college coach in California. In all those years we've never had an argument. I respect him, and he respects me." That's not what the gossip columnists say, but then didn't they have San Francisco's Steve Mariucci going to San Diego? Or was it Washington? Stanford, maybe? Speculation is rife this time of year, and there were reports that Armey was looking to escape St. Louis because Martz assumed some of his personnel powers. That doesn't appear true, either. Armey insists he has the same responsibilities today that he had under Martz's predecessor, Dick Vermeil. The St. Louis Post Dispatch reported that Martz's contract affords him more latitude in personnel decisions than Armey, but at least one source close to Armey said their powers are similar. "It's never about what it says in your contract," said Armey. "It's whether you can make it work. If you're good in personnel you find what your coach needs and wants. Then you go and get it.

http://msn.foxsports.com/home/story/JUDGE%3A-Rams%27-hierarchy-rift-greatly-exaggerated

I had some more I was gonna post, but all say the same thing, so it has always been my understanding from reading the print back then that no one person really had the absolute say. An as far as Martz when he broke out his contract and made his statement in my opinion while it might have been written as such he knew darn well it was not the actual case, but his ego being what it was made him try and seem more important than the real case.

 

[LesBaker]

After glossing through that I have a headache......and another reason to loathe Shaw.

If in fact he did have the ability to over ride Martz on personnel and he still allowed him to cut Warner then I dislike him even more.

 

[Thordaddy]

Once again IF Shaw and Zygmunt had been as good at their jobs AND as committed to winning as Martz,MM would have retired from the Rams headed for the HOF,he hired Marmie more because he knew he could trust him than for his defensive acumen at a time when the long knives were all out for him.

 

[WelfareRam]

I was going to say what the Legend stated about Vermail as well. I'd take Martz back if we could bring back Vermeil as well, the Bonus package if you will.

 

[Thordaddy]

I was going to say what the Legend stated about Vermail as well. I'd take Martz back if we could bring back Vermeil as well, the Bonus package if you will.

AS MUCH

 

[Thordaddy]

try AGAIN as much validity as I want to lend to Legends POV I must point out that Tony Banks and Lawrence Phillips were players DV held on to for too long and the combination of Green/Warner, Faulk, and Martz came over his at least mild objection and hose guys saved his reputation in St.L.
Shaw did the right thing there and had abilities, but didn't ply those abilities in favor of using his pit bull Zigster

 

[RmsLegends]

try AGAIN as much validity as I want to lend to Legends POV I must point out that Tony Banks and Lawrence Phillips were players DV held on to for too long and the combination of Green/Warner, Faulk, and Martz came over his at least mild objection and hose guys saved his reputation in St.L.
Shaw did the right thing there and had abilities, but didn't ply those abilities in favor of using his pit bull Zigster

Oh I would agree with ya. History has proved that sometimes the smartest decision a real leader or successful person makes is actually listening to those around him realizing his perceived ideas just are not getting it done so ya actually take advice and use it to implement in conjunction with what ya have envisioned. As a trader one thing I have for sure learned that in order to be a winner ya really do have to know when to cut your loses short. As fact is no one is gonna be perfect, but to realize this and then act on it is a skill set most don't have. As far to easy and happens all the time in life something goes wrong and we look at the circumstances the people around us and we give blame to that first. So a smart person will also look at maybe it was what they decided to do and that can be a reason for the failure. I would just disagree in that DV did not hold on to Banks and Phillips all far to long as in the grand scheme when we compare the losing years under him compared now to the years of futility we have had years and years of the same exact results. Under DV we were able to get different results and sure we had some bad years, but were those bad years acceptable as the end result was glorious. So when we look at those years in retrospect to now. I would have to say DV did understand the concept of cutting your loses short and they did not have to go on any longer than need be once he saw it was not working. So I would have to say another good attribute he had was been able to realize he might have to lend a ear. Sometimes being able to bend can make us firm as concrete. So in my opinion when he faced one of his biggest foes his own ideas and self, he bent just enough so he was not his own downfall.

 

[WelfareRam]

Oh I would agree with ya. History has proved that sometimes the smartest decision a real leader or successful person makes is actually listening to those around him realizing his perceived ideas just are not getting it done so ya actually take advice and use it to implement in conjunction with what ya have envisioned. As a trader one thing I have for sure learned that in order to be a winner ya really do have to know when to cut your loses short. As fact is no one is gonna be perfect, but to realize this and then act on it is a skill set most don't have. As far to easy and happens all the time in life something goes wrong and we look at the circumstances the people around us and we give blame to that first. So a smart person will also look at maybe it was what they decided to do and that can be a reason for the failure. I would just disagree in that DV did not hold on to Banks and Phillips all far to long as in the grand scheme when we compare the losing years under him compared now to the years of futility we have had years and years of the same exact results. Under DV we were able to get different results and sure we had some bad years, but were those bad years acceptable as the end result was glorious. So when we look at those years in retrospect to now. I would have to say DV did understand the concept of cutting your loses short and they did not have to go on any longer than need be once he saw it was not working. So I would have to say another good attribute he had was been able to realize he might have to lend a ear. Sometimes being able to bend can make us firm as concrete. So in my opinion when he faced one of his biggest foes his own ideas and self, he bent just enough so he was not his own downfall.

It looks as if Vermeil had the experience to deal with such common methods of team chemistry by knowing what the Overall needs of building a team were all about. He had already built a Super bowl team, and coached a lot of winners at lower levels. I believe Vermeil knew Banks would never lead that team to a title, but gave him every chance possible to prove that he could. Boy I would sure like to see the Rams bring back Vermeil to the org even to coach special teams. A Martz Vermeil reunion would be really cool to see.

 

[ChrisW]

I don't think Bradford could do it. He's a West Coast QB. Not an Air Coryell guy.

Actually, Martz is a Coryell disciple. He just utilizes the parts a little differently. His biggest change was the way Marshall was used, as opposed to featuring tight ends.

 

[OnceARam]

Actually, Martz is a Coryell disciple. He just utilizes the parts a little differently. His biggest change was the way Marshall was used, as opposed to featuring tight ends.

That's what I was saying; Martz is a Coryell guy, not a West Coast guy.

 

[Speeps]

I've always believed that Martz wasn't the problem, instead, the problem was the structure in which the organization was being operated. It was complex and illogical.

 

[moklerman]

That's what I was saying; Martz is a Coryell guy, not a West Coast guy.

Shurmur was a WCO based OC but McDaniels and Schottenheimer aren't. Are you saying Bradford's skills make him a WCO QB or that that's what he's been? Martz would bring a similar terminology to what Schottenheimer's been using so I don't think it would be much of a transition on that front.

I think Bradford would be well suited for how Martz does things. It would actually play to his strengths as a QB IMO. He's good at the line and has the arm for making all the throws. Throwing to spots and timing should be right in his wheelhouse and if he's making those reads pre-snap, I don't see a problem with Martz involved.

 

[Mojo Ram]

I think the best offense for Bradford is the shotgun-spread-hurry up.

 

[LesBaker]

I think the best offense for Bradford is the shotgun-spread-hurry up.

I hope that username sees this and gives you a dickpunch!

 

[DR RAM]

I hope that username sees this and gives you a dickpunch!

 

[ChrisW]

That's what I was saying; Martz is a Coryell guy, not a West Coast guy.

Hmmm. Trying to reread your first post. It looks like you were saying Martz is a WCO guy. I guess I'm misreading it.

 

[The Rammer]

I think the best offense for Bradford is the shotgun-spread-hurry up.

Or a offense where Marshall Faulk reincarnate is apart of! lol MF2?

 

[RmsLegends]

It looks as if Vermeil had the experience to deal with such common methods of team chemistry by knowing what the Overall needs of building a team were all about. He had already built a Super bowl team, and coached a lot of winners at lower levels. I believe Vermeil knew Banks would never lead that team to a title, but gave him every chance possible to prove that he could. Boy I would sure like to see the Rams bring back Vermeil to the org even to coach special teams. A Martz Vermeil reunion would be really cool to see.

Oh would be a cool reunion would have that hey we are getting the band back together feel........LOL

 

[rdlkgliders]

I feel like the league knows how to defend Martz Madness and he has become far less productive over the years since leaving the Rams. That is not to say he would be less efficient than Schotty I just don't know.

 

[moklerman]

I feel like the league knows how to defend Martz Madness and he has become far less productive over the years since leaving the Rams. That is not to say he would be less efficient than Schotty I just don't know.

That may be true but I don't think he's had the right QB trying to run it for a while. Cutler couldn't do it. He was a bad fit. Hill may be the last guy who was the right kind of QB for the job. Martz's system is good but it can't run with any and every player. That was Martz's own downfall with the Rams.