Play calling by Martz was plenty ridiculous

My buddy and I shot nine holes last week. It's the first time I've ever been golfing in the middle of January. While we were on the links we had a little "discussion" about what was more ridiculous: the weather or Mike Martz's play calling.

Of course Martz's play calling is more ridiculous. It's right up there with President Bush's idea of colonizing the moon.

I know it's been over a week since the Rams have touched the field, but I was still steamed while I watched the NFC Championship game Sunday knowing that it could have been the Rams vying for a Super Bowl spot if only Martz had been man enough to try.

Instead the Rams played for a tie.

And like Jets coach Herman Edwards always says, "You play to win the game!"

Especially at home where the Rams were unbeaten this season and in the playoffs where you leave it all out on the field.

The only thing more ludicrous than his decision to play for overtime was his reasoning behind it. Martz said afterwards that he would not regret his decision. But we know better than that. It has to be eating away at him.

Martz isn't human if he's not thinking, "What if?" And if he does truly stand behind his decision, then it proves what we knew all along: Martz doesn't have confidence in Marc Bulger as a competent quarterback.

Martz won't be fired over this little mishap, but he will be when the Rams don't make the playoffs next year.

It's like Jim Mora always said, "Playoffs? You want talk about playoffs?"

Let's not talk about the playoffs; let's talk about your week ahead:

Today

Put down that copy of the "I Have A Dream" speech. Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and achievements the way he would want you to. The Grizzlies will have a special ceremony at halftime of their game against the Rockets as part of the finale of an ongoing celebration that started Friday. Rockets at Grizzlies at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday

We haven't given wrestling much pub this year, so here you go: North County visits Central for a dual match at 6 p.m.

Missouri's win over Oklahoma on Saturday was huge because it shows what the team is capable of this year. Maybe the win will spark the Tigers and propel them to a home win over a talented Texas squad in an ESPN game at 8 p.m.

Friday

Mehlville enters Cape Girardeau at a dismal 3-10 and on a four-game losing streak. And Central is just the opposite. The Tigers (13-3) have won four in a row since their loss to Jackson in the finals of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Saturday

The Tiger Shootout for boys basketball teams was apparently disappointing to area fans because of the lack of St. Louis teams involved. Now Notre Dame will have its shootout for girls squads as Central and Jackson are also scheduled to be involved.

David Wilson is a sportswriter for the Southeast Missourian and a student at Central High School. His column appears every Monday.