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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Black Monday strikes hard


Mike Martz will take his offensive mind elsewhere after being let go by St. Louis on Monday. One possibility could be New Orleans. 
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

Almost as soon as the St. Louis Rams announced Monday that Mike Martz was out as head coach, they asked the Chicago Bears for permission to talk to Ron Rivera, their defensive coordinator.

Same thing in Houston: the Texans fired Dom Capers and asked Denver for permission to talk to offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak.

Such is the way of the NFL. If there’s a “hot” coaching prospect out there, try to get to him as soon as possible before the competition grabs him.

And there’s a lot of competition this year.

Four coaches were let go on “Black Monday,” the day after the regular season ends and the traditional day for firing coaches. Martz, Capers, Mike Sherman of Green Bay and Jim Haslett of New Orleans were canned.

They join Mike Tice of Minnesota, fired after the Vikings’ final game Sunday, and Dick Vermeil of Kansas City, who retired Sunday at age 69.

With the firing of Detroit’s Steve Mariucci in November, that brings the number of vacancies to seven, with the prospect of one more – Norv Turner of Oakland, who could learn his fate today.

That’s not an unusual number, especially since there were just three new coaches this season. Since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, an average of 5.9 jobs per year opened up.

None of the firings were surprises.

Haslett’s job has been in question most of the season as the Saints, who finished 3-13, went through a chaotic period in which the team was driven from its home by Hurricane Katrina, settled in San Antonio, and played “home” games in three different stadiums – including its opener at Giants Stadium, home of its opponent, the New York Giants.

“There were some unexpected challenges, but in any case our record isn’t good enough,” Haslett, who coached the team for six seasons and was coach of the year in 2000, said in a statement.

The 54-year-old Martz took a medical leave this season after five games with an infection of the heart lining and was not allowed back on the sidelines, in part because of differences with director of football operations Jay Zygmunt. At the time he left the team, his career record was 56-36 and he had led the Rams to the playoffs four times, and to the Super Bowl after the 2001 season.

Thus it was no surprise when New Orleans’ offensive players heard of the availability of Martz, known for his innovations, and hinted he be considered for the opening. “I’d like an offensive-minded coach,” wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth said, nodding when asked if it was a coach who had a recent health problem.

Martz may indeed be a candidate for an opening, especially on a team looking for offensive help. The Saints, who own the No. 2 pick in the draft and a possible shot at Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart, might do worse – Martz’s specialty is developing quarterbacks, as he did with Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger.

The list of prospects for the vacancies is long.

Rivera is one of those at the top. Since he is of Hispanic heritage, he fits the specifications of the “Rooney rule,” which requires all teams with vacancies interview at least one minority candidate.

Another top prospect in that category is Tim Lewis, defensive coordinator of the New York Giants, who was once a cornerback for Green Bay, and who turned down an interview with Detroit when it hired Mariucci. Other potential minority candidates include Cleveland offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon; Minnesota defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell; and Mike Singletary, the Hall of Fame linebacker who is San Francisco’s assistant head coach.

Brees has torn labrum

Chargers quarterback Drew Brees has a torn labrum in his right shoulder and plans to have surgery as quickly as possible.

Brees dislocated the shoulder in Saturday’s home loss to the Denver Broncos. The team suspected then he had a torn labrum, which was confirmed during an MRI on Sunday.

The fifth-year pro plans to get a second opinion from noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.

Brees anticipates a four-month rehab.

Around the league

Cornerback Shawn Springs is the biggest injury concern for the Redskins as they head into their first playoff game since 1999. Springs aggravated a groin injury in the first half of Sunday’s 31-20 victory over Philadelphia. He had an MRI, but team officials weren’t expecting the results until today. … Cardinals coach Dennis Green fired two assistant coaches and said a third, defensive line coach Deek Pollard, had retired. The contracts of offensive line coach Everett Lindsay and special teams coach Kevin O’Dea were not renewed. … The Bears signed offensive lineman Roberto Garza to a six-year contract extension. The guard and center appeared in all 16 games and started seven after signing a one-year deal with the Bears last March. … Tom Heckert was promoted to general manager by the Eagles, ending speculation he would leave for Minnesota. Heckert joined the Eagles as the club’s director of player personnel in 2001. He recently had been mentioned as a strong candidate for the Vikings’ front office.