'09 IN OT Zack Martin (Notre Dame Man)

[calvegas04]

So, uh, new assistant OL coach?

Yes please

 

[Rudy89]

As a former O-Lineman in high school and knowing how under appreciated plying that position can be to the greater football world I love how much of a star & how respected Zack was during his career. One of my favorite memories as an Irish fan was seeing him win the MVP of the Pinstripe Bowl in his final game as an O-Lineman. You rarely ever see anything like that happen & as someone who played that position getting recognized in a way such as that is something all linemen dream of. Thank you Zack for your contributions to Notre Dame & to the game of football.

 

[ulukinatme]

 

[Henges24]

Retired at 34. Damn. If only.

 

[ulukinatme]

Was really hoping he could gut it out a few more years and find a way to set the record for All Pros. He's tied for like...3rd all time. Guess he needed 3 more to tie Jerry Rice and Jim Otto. Almost all the players ahead of him began their careers in the last century. Only Aaron Donald has more All Pros in this century, 1 more than Martin. The guys ahead of him all played longer though.

 

[zelezo vlk]

One of the all time greats.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

From a Cowboys and Notre Dame fan, thank you Mr Martin.

 

[Irishnuke]

Get him involved with the program somehow. OL coach in waiting

 

[317Irish]

Retired at 34. Damn. If only.

I assume his immediate plans are to train at the Irsay Y and be a keyboard bully?

 

[ACamp1900]

‘Probable’ hall of famer?? He should be first ballot,… he’s legit one of the greatest interior offensive linemen in NFL history

 

[Tejas]

Jerry wanted Johnny Manziel

 

[Bane]

I read he has more First Team All Pros (7) than holding penalties (5). He also has 2 Second Team All Pros.

 

[NDWarrior]

From a Cowboys and Notre Dame fan, thank you Mr Martin.

He was solid for The Cowboys, one helluva career!

 

[Irish#1]

Hard to top a career like his.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Well, I'm a complete homer on this one. I watched Zack (rather than the ball) on every play that I watched the Cowboys offense. There were actually MANY plays where opponents didn't even try to rush his position --- he'd be standing there "looking for work" while they tried schemes on the left side rather than waste time with him. He was the greatest OLineman eraser I've ever seen play. I back off ZERO on that statement. I mean there was NO penetration by DLines --- how's anything better?

They should put him on their ring of honor. I remember an old coach being asked about HOF lineman Bob Lilly, and he said: "That guy needs a good leavin' alone." ... exactly what they thought about Zack. Honor to watch you big man.

 

[calvegas04]

Take a few years off then come home to coach

 

[ulukinatme]

Jerry wanted Johnny Manziel

Mack Brown wanted Johnny to come to Texas to play Safety, the kid with a Longhorn tattoo at 18. Missed out on another Vince Young.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

I don't think its hyperbole to say he is the best Notre Dame football player by far this millennium. (Q is the only one that has a shot to catch him, but likely needs a few more all pro years to have HOF chance)

NFL all decade team for the 2010's
Voted First Team All Pro as a rookie guard in the NFL (Insane!)
Likely a first ballot HOF
MVP of a Bowl Game!

It's amazing that he was never voted a first team All American by any publication during his college career, but glad he used that as fire to go one and have a WAY better NFL career then Warmack, Yankey, or any of the others voted above him had.

Congratulations to an amazing career Zack.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

‘Probable’ hall of famer?? He should be first ballot,… he’s legit one of the greatest interior offensive linemen in NFL history

100% agreed.

And evidently he's already been hired as an O Line coach, so there's that. Poof.

 

[IAIrish]

Take a few years off then come home to coach

He'd have one hell of a recruiting angle... come play for one of the best olinemen of the 2000's.

 

[ACamp1900]

‘Probable’ hall of famer?? He should be first ballot,… he’s legit one of the greatest interior offensive linemen in NFL history

I’m going to jump off my own idiocy as is my tendency,… if he isn’t a first ballot or has to wait for the committte or some shit because ‘offensive linemen blah blah’ I’m crying foul. He, Watters and Bavaro (Bavaro for sure now that careers shortened by injury still getting in being a thing with SSharp and TDavis getting in so I don’t want to hear it on him, and Watters easily the being biggest remaining HoF snub from ANY era at ANY position imo) all not getting in would prove to me some kind of anti ND stance bc all three should be absolute no brainers and the last two seem to have next to no chance at this stage,… if you agree great, if you don’t then let your inherent hate for Notre Dane be known to all… I’m only kind of half joking. That ‘probable’ note in that tweet really stabbed at me given Bavaro and Watters

 

[irishandy]

Class act on & off the field at ND and Dallas; first ballot hall of famer!

 

[Dale]

Stay low boys, keep those feet moving

 

[Dale]

Large ND section

 

[Old Man Mike]

What a terrific read. Blessedly LONG too. Like a wonderful meal of football, life, and a true Notre Dame hero.

If you liked Zack before, .......

 

[Irish#1]

Lengthy read, but well worth it. Notre Dame Man Zach Martin.

 

[irishnd31]

Another Domer in Canton. Well deserved retirement.

 

[KPENN]

 

[ulukinatme]

Big Harry Hiestand shout out!

 

[Old Man Mike]

Some coaches are just somehow better than ... everyone. It seems impossible, but I've seen several of them.

My own brother had that magic skill about weight-lifting (he's the USNational Olympic Team coach), and one of my other brothers just "saw"things others didn't. When you find one of these guys, (the Pearl of Great Price analogy), "sell all you have and buy it."