Question: How do the 49ers not offer Martz the head coaching job if the 49ers go at least 10-6 and the offense keeps up the pace all year? He brought in O'Sullivan, kick started the offense, and brought back respectability....something Nolan has not accomplished in 3 Losing seasons. It is clear that if the Niners succeed, it is not the coaching of Mike Nolan but Mike Martz.
Patrick, Montclair, NJ
Answer: It's waaaaaay too early to be speculating about this, but since you brought it up ... Yes, it's hard to see the Yorks letting Martz get away should they finish with a respectable record. He's brought near-instant credibility to an offense that has absolutely stunk for the last four seasons. Lose Martz and both the continuity and the credibility go away. And there's another issue the Yorks have to think about as the season draws to a close - O'Sullivan. The 49ers can't sign O'Sullivan to a long-term deal until after the season. If another team - let's say the Chiefs - lures Martz away, whom do you think he's taking with him? Lose Martz and the 49ers also risk losing O'Sullivan.
- Matt
Question: I know it's too early -- well, no it's not -- but when can we expect the 49ers to lock in JTO to a long(er) term contract?
Mike, Sacramento
Answer: Actually, it is too early. JTO signed a specific type of contract that prevents the team from extending him until after the season is over. This is what makes the Martz situation (see above) so delicate.
- Matt
Question: J.T. O'Sullivan is 29. I was wondering if the 49ers would draft a QB in the 09 draft, like maybe in the 3rd or 4th round.
Miguel, Sacramento
Answer: I think it depends on whether two players stick around - Alex Smith and Jamie Martin. It also depends on whether Martz is still here. He's built a reputation as a QB genius, but he's drafted few of those QBs. That is, he seems to have had his most success with multi-year veterans.
- Matt
Question: Matt, Could you ask Jed if there are any plans to retire Dave Wilcox's number? Is he the only Niner HOFer besides Jerry whose number is not retired?
Mike, Oregon City, Ore
Answer: Including Young, the 49ers have retired 11 numbers and they have 13 members in the hall of fame. The HOFs who have not had their numbers retired are Wilcox, Y.A. Tittle, Fred Dean, John Henry Johnson and Bill Walsh. The players who have had their numbers retired but who are not in the HOF are Dwight Clark, Charlie Krueger and John Brodie
- Matt
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