Mike Martz Needs to Call a Better Game

Even if the San Francisco 49er somehow manage to comeback against the Philadelphia Eagles, it all starts with the play calling.

For the past two weeks, it has been questionable at best, but more of downright repulsive. The lack of use of Frank Gore in the offense is incredible to me, even though he's leading the league in yardage from scrimmage and yards per touch.

The 49ers were nursing a nine-point lead with the fourth quarter coming up. Instead of using Frank Gore and running him against the Eagles, Martzhas O'Sullivan threw twice—both incomplete—and had to punt the ball back. With Desean Jackson back waiting for the punt, Andy Lee made it a short punt. Philadelphia ended up scoring a touchdown on a pass to LJ Smith.

On the ensuing possession for the 49ers they run Gore for a yard. Then, the genius that is Martz, calls a reverse to Delanie Walker. That went absolutely nowhere. This brings the 49ers to a 3rd-and-18 where O'Sullivan escapes pressure. But instead of making an accurate throw, the ball is intercepted. This leads to a field goal for the Eagles.

The 49ers get the ball back with plenty of time to go down the field. They ran the ball to Gore who picked up about a yard. The 49ers took too long with all the shifts that Martz employs on the offensive side resulting in a timeout being taken, which happened to be their last.

On the first second-down play, there was a penalty for five yards on an incomplete pass, making it 2nd-and-14. O'Sullivan runs to escape pressure and picks up 11 yards. Instead of running the ball to get the first down with three-and-a-half minutes left, they opt to throw. O'Sullivan was pressured and fumbled the ball while trying to throw. At first, it looked like his arm was going forward for an incomplete pass, but it was a fumble.

One last gasp for the 49ers was with 1:10 remaining. O'Sullivan completes a 25-yard pass to Josh Morgan in the middle of the field. The 49ers spike the ball. Mike Martz calls for a little quick slant pattern that was so easily read that the Eagles defensive lineman picked it off and ran back for the score to put the game out of reach making it a 14 point win instead of a possible tie game by the 49ers.  

The 49ers should have won this game, but instead they gave it away to the Eagles. Again, it all starts with Mike Martz's stupid play calling.

We were upset with Jim Hostler last year for his conservative play calling. There is a time to become conservative and there's a time to go for the kill. Mike Martz definitely needs to change his play calling.

Use Gore whenever it is possible and don't fall in love with the pass.

It's not rocket science that you have one of the best backs in the league. Use him!

Stop going to the pass so early when you have a lead and milk the clock. This is the second game in a row that Martz has cost the 49ers.

If Martz continues with the boneheaded play calling, he needs to be fired.

I realize O'Sullivan doesn't have much starting experience but this falls on Martz. Use your weapon in Gore as much as possible. It was refreshing to see him using Vernon Davis as a wide receiver but after the 49ers got the lead they stopped using him.

This is the game that will cost Nolan his job and the reason why Martz should not become head coach even if they are waiting to see what Mike Holmgren is going to do after the year hiatus.

As a fan, this is one of the most frustrating losses that I've seen in a while.

The 49ers now have an offensive coordinator who has been around a long time and has no idea how to use his weapons. The only good news for the 49ers is that the Arizona Cardinals could lose in overtime leaving the 49ers a game back of the division lead and doesn't make this loss as frustrating.