Bad Move!!! Was Martz that bad? He improved that pathetic 2007 offense dramaticly. Who is out there to hire? I dont like this decision at all.

Good decision. Keeping Martz would have delayed having to find a new OC for one more year, thus setting the team back that much further.

Good decision my *ss! The offense was moving the ball with ease this year. If it ain't broke why fix it?

We led the league in sacks allowed. We were up there in turnovers as well. Do you mean moving the ball backwards?

I like Martz, but he was not a fit for this team and we would be in the playoffs hosting a home game this weekend if it were not for the debacles in AZ and Miami. That's a fact and you cannot argue against that. Second - how much credit does Martz deserve and how much was it good QB play, a better O-line, a fired up team, a better defense and better receivers? While the instability has lasted 7 years, name me one player that starts on offense that has been here for 7 years? Zero (maybe Heitman?).

Bad decision... If Singletary is trying to find an OC that is of the same mind set and the same thinking, this would lead them to making the same decisions. Having opposing viewpoints is a good thing. Singletary's influence over Martz was a good thing. I'd be interested to know if Martz wanted to come back. I'm sure he hated having Hill as his QB, he can't come close to making the throws Martz needs in his offense.

By the way, Martz was ready to desert the team 3 weeks ago for a college job, and he most likely would've done it next year if given the opportunity. So what would we do if we are in the playoffs without an OC and our HC doesn't have any experience on offense? Just play it Hostler style and call whatever comes to mind at the moment without any regard to cause and effect? No, we've seen how that goes.

This is a good decision, if for nothing else than to ensure we have a loyal OC for the next 3 seasons.

The sacks and turnovers were a reflection of the JTO style under Nolan, not the Hill offense under Singletary.

Firing Martz leaves me with somewhat mixed emotions. True, we did improve. Nothing mind-blowing, but improved. So Martz is gone - lets move on. And let us reach out to one of the best, most nimble offensive minds out there with impressive creds who would very probably NEVER be asked to be a Head Coach - Norm Chow. And if you haven't already, check out Chow's track record with QB's. Alex Smith would have a real decent shot at finally getting the sustained teaching he needs (first thing first tho - jettison JT O'Sullivan.)

I have said this before and will probably say it again but, martz is a really good OC. Sometimes people just don't fit. Think about your work, if you had a really good manager but sort of just didn't fit with upper management and you knew he would probably not be here the next year or after that, would you really want him to stick around? I think you could here it in Gore's tone that was the exact feeling. Remember how he talked about Norv Turner when he left, you got a completely different tone (like he was really hurt that he left) not so this time. I have all confidence that sing. will make a correct hire and things will just mesh.

With all of these firings there are gonna be plenty of pickings here in the next few day/weeks to make the right move.

I have said this before and will probably say it again but, martz is a really good OC. Sometimes people just don't fit. Think about your work, if you had a really good manager but sort of just didn't fit with upper management and you knew he would probably not be here the next year or after that, would you really want him to stick around? I think you could here it in Gore's tone that was the exact feeling. Remember how he talked about Norv Turner when he left, you got a completely different tone (like he was really hurt that he left) not so this time. I have all confidence that sing. will make a correct hire and things will just mesh.

With all of these firings there are gonna be plenty of pickings here in the next few day/weeks to make the right move.

The irony is that if you want to build continuity by keeping Martz you risk blowing that continuity if he leaves next year. The problem with Martz is there is nobody else to run it if he leaves. Better to do it now and establish an offensive identity and have several guys, the OC, QB coach that can run it so if a guy leaves then the replacement is already there.

VERY very bad move (IF in fact this was team's choice - possibly Martz at this point in his career only wants to be a completely independent OC) unless of course the 49ers get someone better (who dat? any one better is probably a potential HC). And for all you guys who keep mentioning "OUR personnel", remember that Martz did GREAT with this personnel. A career backup QB performing very well, young receivers developing AND a 1,000 yard runner (despite missing 2 full games and parts of others). Martz has coached two 1,000 yard runners by the way, he doesn't JUST pass (see Andy Reid, and oh, by the way, Reid has a terrific record as a winning head coach). Any attempt to be "run" oriented will be a very sad one. Only one team (Ravens) has won a SB in the past 30 years without a dynamic passing game. And the great teams pass AND run, like last year's (and this year's) NY Giants (but even teams that can't run well, like the Eagles and the current Colts do well if they have great passing games and if the Saints had a decent defense, they would be in the playoffs too).

Matt,

Regardless of this being a good or bad move - the Niners have elected to move forward. Do you believe they have someone in mind for this role? Or was it simply a pre-emptive strike to let Martz go before the 4 HC job openings begin to muster? Is there anyone out there that you forsee as a viable option that could be around for longer then 1-2 years? Are we going to be looking into the college ranks? Any names you can toss out a "preliminary guesses?"

Thanks and keep up the great work!!!

We gave up the same number of sacks, committed more turnovers, and increased TD's by 8 while Field Goals went up drastically, showing bad Red Zone efficiency.

Besides, keep Martz in '09 and I guarantee you he bolts in '10. Singletary and McCloughan are smart enough to know they need to establish their own identity without the guy Nolan picked to try and save his sorry job.

So would you rather have "consistency" for one more season, or get a guy who will be here for all of Singeltary's four years?

Comment: We gave up the same number of sacks, committed more turnovers, and increased TD's by 8 while Field Goals went up drastically, showing bad Red Zone efficiency.

My response: The 49ers scored touchdowns on 51.9 percent of their trips inside the opponents' 20-yard line. That percentage ranked 18th in the league, ahead of the Patriots and Giants. --Matt M.

Jed wants Martz gone because Martz doesn't kiss butt so Jed chats with Kawakami - TK calls his media pals back east - result is pressure applied to McLoughlin and Singletary. Just like how the Nolan firing went down. Just like how the rumour started last week about Martz going.

Jed had better watch out. He'll get burned by these childish games sooner or later.