Martz is viewed as an innovative offensive mind. People touting Martz for head coach of this team or as an offensive genius either have short memories or didn't watch the 49ers in the '80s. Lenvil Elliott is a great reminder of this.

Walsh was a master craftsman. He had the ability to devise offensive schemes that were intricate, yet flexible enough to allow him to adjust to virtually every situation imaginable. He also had an uncanny knack for finding players he could use to fulfill important roles in key situations, and the ability to incorporate them into the offense. Some of these players had limited talent (see Bill Ring) but Walsh found ways to use them in innovative ways that maximized their value as players.

In his third year with this team, Walsh had the foresight to bring in Elliott, a back he had worked with in Cincinnati, who everyone thought was done. Walsh held onto him for three years, because he could catch passes and because he was extremely reliable. The story above tells it all. His role on that incredible drive was a major reason we got the win and a shot at the super bowl. This happened because Walsh posessed a deft touch, and had the ability and insight to use every available tool as he tinkered and made adjustments that produced wonderful results.

In contrast to Walsh, Martz is like a flashy, hack mechanic. His main tool is a sledge hammer. And his ego dwarfs any inclination he might have to implement a flexible, effective offense and utilize all of his players. In terms of both play and player selection, it's more about Martz stoking his ego, than it is about identifying good, secondary players and using them effectively.

Lenvil Elliott might have made this team, but if Martz was the coach in 1981, he would have been on the bench or used as a decoy for that crucial drive.

Nolan is a buffoon wo has no business being a head coach. But Martz is also a joke who should not become head coach of this team.