Maybe this is naive, but filling the shoes of Dan Marino and Steve Young
just doesn't seem like a big deal for Damon Huard and Jay Fiedler in Miami
and Jeff Garcia in San Francisco. It's not the same as replacing John Elway
and Joe Montana. Let's put it that way.
Yes, they have tough jobs, but primarily because it comes with the
territory of playing quarterback in the NFL. As for expectations, they're
different than what Brian Griese experienced last year in Denver, or what
Young had to cope with when he stepped in for Montana last decade.
|  | | Damon Huard has the edge on Jay Fiedler for the Dolphins' QB job. |
That's because Elway left on top, as a two-time Super Bowl winner and
one-time Super Bowl MVP for the Broncos. Griese not only had to inherit a
defending Super Bowl champion, but he got caught in the middle of coach Mike
Shanahan's controversial decision to demote Bubby Brister.
Montana had four Super Bowl rings for a 49ers franchise still expected to
win a fifth. Nobody in history really has had to climb the mountain that
Young did.
Really, the expectations just aren't the same in Miami and San Francisco
as the 2000 season approaches.
Marino's last memory for Dolphins fans was a disastrous game in
Jacksonville that bitterly ended Jimmy Johnson's four-year plight for a Super
Bowl. And everyone knows how 49er fans remember Young's final snapshot -- a
fallen hero knocked unconscious early in a 1999 season that ended at 4-12.
Have you heard anybody predict greatness for the Dolphins and 49ers this
year? It's not the same pressure.
Oh, Garcia felt the heat initially when he assumed Young's job last fall.
"At one point during the first five games I played, I began to let the
pressure get to me," said Garcia. "I started to withdraw, and I internalized
everything. I blamed myself for the downfall of the team, and put more
pressure on myself."
Garcia, who was still trying to adjust to the team's scheme and
personnel, was benched in favor of Steve Stenstrom. It was a blessing. As a
sideline spectator, he observed what many others around the league already
knew -- the 49ers' problems extended well beyond the quarterback position.
The offensive line was spotty, the team was still adjusting to the loss of
running back Garrison Hearst and the defense was a shell of its former self.
"What I was able to see was that it really is a team effort, and I can't
put all the pressure on myself," said Garcia. "I needed to have fun and
understand the system. When I got the job back, the last five games were much
better. It was more second nature."
The numbers aren't spectacular, but they prove a point. Garcia completed
60 percent of his passes last year for 2,544 yards, 11 touchdowns and 11
interceptions and a 77.9 quarterback rating. But check out Young's stats
before he went down -- the future Hall of Famer completed just 52.6 percent
of his passes and threw three touchdowns against four interceptions.
Young, who has the greatest career QB rating in NFL history, registered a
meager 52.8 rating, a fair barometer of a struggling 49ers offense that
Garcia inherited early last season.
|
“ |
Well, I don't lack
for confidence right now, let's say that. My teammates need to see
that. ” |
|
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— Jeff Garcia, 49ers quarterback |
Garcia grew up in the Bay Area, so he is well aware of the legendary
status of Young and Montana. Those who have been around him this year sense a
very confident, almost cocky, quarterback.
"Well, I don't lack for confidence right now, let's say that," said
Garcia. "My teammates need to see that."
For the Dolphins, Huard has the edge over Fiedler, especially with his
teammates, who saw the fourth-year pro go 4-1 in five starts when Marino was
injured last season. Fiedler, who performed well in spot starts for Mark
Brunell in Jacksonville, had an excellent offseason in learning a new scheme
under offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. Huard responded in June when the
Dolphins took the field in shorts.
"Damon really has competed very well the past month," said Miami head coach Dave Wannstedt.
"He's the starter. He's like No. 1, and Jay is 1-A. Everybody knows that Dan
Marino was an all-timer, maybe the best ever, but I think everybody's
realistic about that. I'm excited about our passing game. I mean, the best
thing Damon and Jay have going for them is our receivers."
Wannstedt thinks Bert Emanuel was a terrific offseason acquisition after
he was released from the Bucs. Another guy who has jumped out is Lamar Thomas.
"Honestly, Bert and Lamar have been almost unbelievable," said Wannstedt.
"Bert has been making all kinds of plays. I really think that part of our
game, the quarterbacks and receivers, are going to surprise some people."
Huard and Fiedler also get the benefit of a pretty solid Dolphins defense, something Garcia can't count on. The 49ers defense is being
rebuilt, and unless something dramatic happens, the 49ers may be only a
couple of wins better than last year's four-win season.
As for the Dolphins, they should be competitive, maybe even a playoff
team. I imagine we'd be saying the same thing if Marino was still under the
center, though.
Funny thing about it, I think it's better to be Huard, Fiedler or Garcia
than Trent Green. If something ever happens to the Rams' Kurt Warner, Green
has a tougher act to follow. In today's NFL, nobody remembers what you did
five years ago, only what you did last year.
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ALSO SEE
NFL Training Camp 2000
San Francisco 49ers
Miami Dolphins
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