There's still a month left in the regular season but already the rumors are flying about where Mike Martz might land in 2009. The most persistent has him replacing Chuck Long as the head coach at San Diego State. Martz grew up in San Diego and has family there.
Martz, naturally, declined to field questions in that vein today: "You know, someone asked me that yesterday," he said. "Here's what I would say about any of those things. This came up in Detroit. At this time of year, you go through that. The only thing I will say to you (and) this is really important, is the only job I'm concerned about is the job that I have. I would never discuss another job no matter where it is. It's just not appropriate for me. ... It's not right. I'm happy with the job that I have and I'm just trying to do the best I can with it, so let's leave it at that."
Asked if he had thought ahead to next season and the possibility of working under Mike Singletary, Martz said, "Today is just enough in itself. I'll worry about tomorrow when it gets here. See, a month from now who knows what's going to happen to anybody, so I don't worry about tomorrow. I enjoy every day."
He did continue to heap praise on Singletary, insisting that he's been very easy to work with. "He likes what we do, and I think he's pleased with how we're teaching it. So we have a real good relationship. It's terrific. I'm very fortunate to have that relationship."
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Martz also was gushing about center Eric Heitmann. Martz has singled out Heitmann all season, but today he went a step further calling him "by far" the best center he's had in the 17 years he's been coaching in the NFL. He also said that Heitmann warranted a spot in the Pro Bowl. The 49ers' center will need a Pro Bowl-caliber performance Sunday. He'll be matched against Jets NT Kris Jenkins, a player some believe is deserving of the defensive MVP award this season.
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Martz said that Barry Sims (foot) is ready to return to the lineup. Martz stopped short of saying that Sims would replace Adam Snyder at right tackle, saying that would be up to position coach Chris Foerster. But he did intimate that Sims would see playing time Sunday against the Jets.
-- Matt Barrows
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