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FBF Rookie
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lincoln Park, Michigan
Posts: 170
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Martz: Offense Out of Shape, but Improving.
ALLEN PARK -- Whether during practice or dealing with the media, Mike Martz operates at full throttle and speaks his mind.
Martz has been confronted by major issues since he was hired as the Lions' offensive coordinator.
There has been upheaval at quarterback, with the departure of Joey Harrington and the arrival of free agents Jon Kitna and Josh McCown.
The young receivers -- Roy Williams, Mike Williams and Charles Rogers -- have been scrutinized.
The line is being rebuilt.
And, almost incidentally, Martz has installed a system that is different from the West Coast offense that failed in five previous seasons.
In his first interview session with the local media in almost three months, Martz addressed a wide range of topics Thursday between practices at a three-day mini-camp.
Among other things, Martz said the unit was "grossly out of shape" to run his system, but he sees it improving and likes the players' work ethic.
Martz said he was surprised Harrington decided he didn't want to play in Detroit. Harrington made the decision after attending a three-day quarterback orientation camp in early March. Martz had spoken highly of Harrington's potential.
"I didn't know Joey going into that," Martz said. "Like this stuff (mini-camp), you just go in with an open mind. Joey made that decision on his own.
"I respect that. It was such a drastic change from what he had been doing. He felt like it was going to be too hard for him to do. And I understand that."
In subsequent interviews, Harrington talked about the pressure he was under in his four seasons in Detroit, and that it was better to start over with another team, where he felt wanted.
Martz was asked if he thought Harrington's decision was based purely on football.
"Oh, I don't know," Martz said. "I just assume it's the football. Who knows? I'm new on the scene. I don't know all the dynamics of that whole thing. I was a little surprised by it, but things happen to work out for the best. It'll work out for him."
Martz said there was no conflict with Harrington at what has been called his "quarterback school." Martz tried to change Harrington's mechanics so he could adapt better to his offense.
"We were just trying to help him be a little more compact, like he was in college," Martz said. "As time went on, there were some habits that, for what we do, I wanted to groove him a little bit.
"First of all, there wasn't a quarterback school, and there was no clash. It was just, 'Hey, here's what we do.' "
Martz covered a wide range of topics. Here are his views:
On what he considers the strengths of the offense:
"I think the athleticism. It's a team that's grossly out of shape. They're getting there now. It's hard to evaluate anybody when they're out of shape. They don't do anything very well. They're very athletic. It's a good crew. They're learning the work ethic, and they're willing. That's the big thing I see. They're so willing. They're not fighting anybody."
On whether it's common for a team to be out of shape at this point of the year:
"It just kind of depends. For what we do, they're not in very good shape. On every snap, we want to sprint down the field, that kind of thing. We don't run guys in and out. The concept of what we do lends itself to a different type of mode in camp, I guess is the best way of putting it."
On his three receivers selected in the first round:
"They're athletic receivers, big guys. Usually, as soon as you get a tall receiver in stature, he doesn't have good feet. All three of them can run. Mike is faster and has better feet than I realized. I just haven't seen him practice for about six weeks. He's just been injured or whatever.
"Charles has made a big, big jump in the last four or five days. I'm very pleased with his effort. It's hard for him because this is different. He's going to make some mistakes mentally. (He) doesn't know how to deal with that. But he'll learn. I think Charles is going to be fine."
On his belief Roy Williams can be an elite receiver:
"I think he is. If you've watched practice out here at all, it's not hard to figure that one out. We've made no effort to isolate him at all. We're just teaching the offense. When we do, I think he could be very effective. He's still trying to get in shape. He's not used to the tempo, either."
On the development of tailback Kevin Jones as a receiver:
"He's done a great job with it. They put him on the Jugs machine, I guess for the last two months. He's very comfortable catching the ball right now. He's really a well-rounded back."
On the role of fullback Cory Schlesinger:
"When I came in here and watched him, I wasn't sure what Cory was. He's probably one of the better competitors on this team. The consummate professional. Great shape. Intense. Doesn't make mistakes. He's what you're looking for in the NFL now. I really like Cory now."
On the quarterback competition among Kitna, McCown and Dan Orlovsky:
"We'll see how that goes. You just kind of let that play out. You never know what's going to happen between now and the end of the preseason. (Kitna has) got the most experience, obviously, and he's played quite a bit. That's our starting point, and he's done a good job.
"Josh has made tremendous strides in the last two weeks. I'm excited about where he is."
On building the line:
"That's where you want things to be very competitive. Whoever the five end up (being), you want those guys very physical, tough guys mentally, that have been able to fight through that situation, win the position so to speak, not just hand it to them. The competition in the offensive line is very severe and very healthy for us."
Briefly
The Lions are awaiting test results to determine the extent of an injury to the right wrist of guard Damien Woody . Woody was injured in practice Thursday morning and watched the afternoon session.
Woody, wearing a hard cast from the knuckles to above the wrist, said he did not know how badly he was hurt. "We'll see what the doctor says," Woody said. "Hopefully, it'll be all right."
Coach Rod Marinelli declined to be interviewed.
Rookie safety Daniel Bullocks was excused from practice to take care of personal business. He is expected back today.
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Martz: Offense Out of Shape, but Improving.
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