Martz rips Bradshaw over newspaper remark

ST. LOUIS -- Rams coach Mike Martz shot back Monday at Fox broadcaster Terry Bradshaw, who had complained in USA Today that his interview request last week was turned down.

On Fox NFL Sunday, Bradshaw said the last thing he wanted to do was "get on a plane and talk to some egotistical maniac coach or player," the newspaper reported. He also said of Martz in an attempted put-down, "She doesn't want to talk."

Martz said he decided not to do any one-on-one TV interviews after the Rams' 0-5 start "because most of that stuff is going to be very negative and it has an impact on this team when they see it." The team denied several interview requests last week.

Martz said Bradshaw was in St. Louis on other business when he attempted to interview him last Wednesday. He said Bradshaw never made it to Rams Park, though.

"I know he's a star and he's the best in the business and all those things, but I'm concerned about what's best for this team," Martz said. "I don't know what he's getting at or what he's trying to accomplish.

"I thought it was very disrespectful and inappropriate."

Martz got a far better impression of Bradshaw before the Super Bowl in February in New Orleans.

"He had me laughing like crazy before the Super Bowl," Martz said. "Then to pick this up and read it, I was a little taken aback."