TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Martz Slapped With Fine

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 22, 2008

NEW YORK - San Francisco offensive coordinator Mike Martz has been fined $20,000 by the NFL for his criticism of the officiating at the end of the 49ers' 29-24 loss in Arizona.

Martz said the team had been "screwed" by the officiating crew when the ball was spotted at the 2 1/2 -yard line for the final play of the game after a replay of a run on the previous snap by Frank Gore. Martz, who thought the ball would be at the 1, already had called a run up the middle that was stuffed by the Cardinals.

"It cost us the game," he said. "We go to the 1 - or the half-yard line - then spike the ball when, all of a sudden, officials tell us they're going to look at the replay. While they're looking at it, the ball stays at the 1. So we send in a play. Then, when they make their decision, they move the ball back to the 2 1/2 and tell us they're going to start the clock on the official's wind. ...

"If they would've moved it to the 10, we still would've had to run the play that was called. We got screwed because of the spot, first and foremost."

BEARS: Receiver Marty Booker will miss the game at St. Louis on Sunday because of a knee injury. The Bears also ruled out offensive tackle Fred Miller (shoulder) and linebacker Darrell McClover (hamstring) for the Rams game.

BENGALS: Wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco was back at work Friday, a day after being sent home before the Pittsburgh game for disciplinary reasons.

Coach Marvin Lewis wanted to move on from the latest Bengals controversy, and after the team fell to 1-9-1. The latest loss Thursday night against the Steelers was a 27-10 defeat in which the Bengals managed just 208 yards of offense.

Lewis said the punishment fit the violation, and declined to go into details of the incident. Ocho Cinco was late for a team meeting Wednesday night, and then had a verbal altercation with a coach or coaches.

"I think, yeah, any time a player has a thing that occurs like that, you let your teammates down," Lewis said Friday. "I think any time that you have to sit a player down, it sends a message to players, because that's the only thing they get and understand."

COWBOYS: The NFL confirmed Friday that suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones can join the team on Monday and that he can play again Dec. 7 against Pittsburgh - but only if he stays on his best behavior.

Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a brief statement Friday confirming the details of Jones' return, noting that it can only happen "if he avoids any further incidents and fully complies with each and every condition that has been established for him."

GIANTS: Plaxico Burress was limited at practice because of an injury to his right hamstring and he will be a game-time decision on Sunday when the Super Bowl champions play the Arizona Cardinals.

JETS: Rookie quarterback Erik Ainge has been suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league's policy on steroids and related substances.

REDSKINS: Running back Clinton Portis was limited in practice Friday with his sprained knee and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks.

LEGAL: Former NFL star Michael Vick is back in Virginia to face state dogfighting charges.

The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback is being held in protective custody at the Hopewell Regional Jail, superintendent Darnley Hodge said Friday.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT