Source: Martz fined $20,000

San Francisco offensive coordinator Mike Martz has been fined $20,000 by the NFL for comments last week criticizing officials, a league source confirmed on Wednesday. The source said the fine was consistent with league policy for coaches and players with public comments critical of officials. Martz was fined after sounding off following the 49ers' 29-24 loss to Arizona on Nov. 10, a game that ended with the 49ers one yard from victory. Martz was irked after officials spotted the football at the Arizona 2-1/2 yard line with three seconds left, then started the clock without giving San Francisco what Martz considered sufficient warning. His contention was that he did not have enough time to check out of a play from the 1, which was the original spot after a Frank Gore run. Martz also said he would've called a pass had he known the ball would be placed at the 2. Mike Pereira, the league's vice president of officiating, said the 49ers were notified of the spot when referee Tony Corrente made an announcement over the PA system, but one member of the 49ers' organization who was on the sidelines that evening said it was difficult if not impossible to decipher announcements in the last minutes of the game.

Too much risk in that scenario. There was 3 seconds left, the clock started on the whistle and STOPS on the whistle after the spike. if there's any hesitation on the final whistle, the center snapping the ball, or anything the game would end on the spike. Then everyone would criticize Martz for not just running a play which he had ample opportunity to do. The NFL should know that it is hard to hear the officials announcement of where the ball will be spotted as it comes after the annoucement of whether or not the call stands. The crowd reacts to the call, (tons of noise), and then he quickly says where the ball will be spotted. Unless you are watching on TV deciphering that exactly is hard to do. Martz had a point, it cost the Niners a division win, which is huge.

drink409 Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 5, 2008	Posted on: November 19, 2008 5:59 pm Score: 82 Source: Martz fined $20,000 This is NFL BS...but Martz should have had Hill spike the ball to create 4th down when he saw where the ball was spotted. That's on him not the refs. [ Reply to Comment ]
Aliens509 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 18, 2006	Posted on: November 19, 2008 6:00 pm Score: 91 Source: Martz fined $20,000 Martz is a cry baby. Instead of accepting the fact that he called a bad play, he decided to blame the officiating. The only thing that I don't like about the fines is that the NFL is telling everyone, coaches, players, and owners that they can't say a single word about how bad the officiating in any games are or else they will be fined, I think that is very unfair as there are some calls by the officials that are questionable and if the calls dictates the outcome of the game, I think the players,coaches and owners should have a right to speak out and address their frustrations or even question the calls. I don't think Goodell is being fair at all. [ Reply to Comment ]
calciomotti Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 15, 2006	Posted on: November 19, 2008 6:04 pm Score: 94 Source: Martz fined $20,000 Well deserved he was fined. No matter how frustrated he was feeling, running the clock down 20 extra seconds by his inexperienced QB had nothing to do with the officiating. We all know officials aren't perfect, and I do think the ball should have been spotted closer, but that's beside the point. I wonder though, if players and coaches can be fined for simply commenting on the officiating, should officials get fined when the completely botch a play? Or how about if the completely botch the outcome of a game? Is a bad grade a stiff enough penalty for the officials when they blow a call, or should they get fined as well? [ Reply to Comment ]
UKnowMoreThanMe Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Apr 3, 2007	Posted on: November 19, 2008 6:32 pm Score: 89 Source: Martz fined $20,000 If you really pay attention, it seems that the players/coaches that criticize officials when the officials had nothing to do with whatever happens. You really don't see too many fines when people mention obvious errors. But then again, most guys are smart enough to not say anything when there are major officiating flaws. Anyway, the point is, if you have problems with how a game was officiated, you take it up with the league, you send them a professional complaint and they deal with it. It should be an internal issue. To take those feelings public is unprofessional and the NFL disciplines people for that conduct. The media will not solve your problems. If you want to say the NFL won't either, that is fine...but don't go public with your drivel because that just pisses the bosses off...and the bosses can do and say whatever they want, you have to deal with it or face a fine or suspension. It's that simple. The officials had nothing to do with Martz's issues, which is exactly why he's out $20,000 for his hissy fit. [ Reply to Comment ]
UKnowMoreThanMe Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Apr 3, 2007	Posted on: November 19, 2008 6:36 pm Score: 89 Source: Martz fined $20,000 If you really pay attention, it seems that the players/coaches that criticize officials when the officials had nothing to do with whatever happens are the one's that get fined. Forgot to finish my sentence. [ Reply to Comment ]
smithk79 Reputation: 3 Level: Amateur Since: Nov 19, 2008	Posted on: November 19, 2008 6:44 pm Score: 47 Source: Martz fined $20,000 I disagree with the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NASCAR or anyone else for fines levied against coaches, crew chiefs, owners, players, drivers, etc. for voicing their disagreement with an officials ruling or call. The last time I checked we do live in America where one of our constitutional rights is "Freedom of Speech"! Fine the heck out of people for dangerous hits, flagarant fouls, wreckless driving or anything else that endangers other participants. Fining someone for something that they say just because they don't agree with a call or decision...........The absolute most rediculous way any sport authority ever used to make money. [ Reply to Comment ]
niner punk Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 25, 2007	Posted on: November 19, 2008 7:13 pm Score: 92 Source: Martz fined $20,000 Too much risk in that scenario. There was 3 seconds left, the clock started on the whistle and STOPS on the whistle after the spike. if there's any hesitation on the final whistle, the center snapping the ball, or anything the game would end on the spike. Then everyone would criticize Martz for not just running a play which he had ample opportunity to do. The NFL should know that it is hard to hear the officials announcement of where the ball will be spotted as it comes after the annoucement of whether or not the call stands. The crowd reacts to the call, (tons of noise), and then he quickly says where the ball will be spotted. Unless you are watching on TV deciphering that exactly is hard to do. Martz had a point, it cost the Niners a division win, which is huge. [ Reply to Comment ]
UKnowMoreThanMe Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Apr 3, 2007	Posted on: November 19, 2008 8:08 pm Score: 88 Source: Martz fined $20,000 The last time I checked we do live in America where one of our constitutional rights is "Freedom of Speech"! "Freedom of Speech" does not mean "Freedom from Consequence" It means knowing you must deal with the consequences that come with what you "say." Being fined by your bosses for something you say is not even remotely the same as getting thrown in jail for something you say. [ Reply to Comment ]
uradufuss Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 25, 2007	Posted on: November 19, 2008 8:12 pm Score: 92 When will officials be fined for blowing games? We are talking about games that fans and networks have paid a lot of money to watch, and broadcast. There is no room for major screw ups anymore, in this age of replays. [ Reply to Comment ]
Fred Coste Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 21, 2008	Posted on: November 19, 2008 9:32 pm Score: 89 Source: Martz fined $20,000 "Freedom of Speech" does not mean "Freedom from Consequence" Actually, that's almost exactly what it means. It grants the Constitutional right to voice your opinion in a civil manner provided that you are not threatening the safety of others. It's freedom from persecution or unjust action for voicing your thoughts. I'm actually surprised that the ACLU isn't all over this. Any other person in America can walk around work talking about how crappy their company is, as long as their comments aren't construed as insubordination. Players and coaches griping about a bad call have every right that politicians and news anchors have that just spent 8 years pointing out the follies of our president. If you want to fine someone for making unprofessional remarks, or verbal attacks against an official, so be it. But levying a fine for stating publicly that you disagree with a call is ridiculous. [ Reply to Comment ]

clark-judge

Punt, pass and Judge