Mark Malone |
Mark Malone
I try to think of quarterbacks who had a release as unique and efficient as Dan Marino's, and I certainly can't recall one. And then there was his competitive, fiery spirit. He would bark at people on the field, challenge his teammates and even get after Don Shula on the sidelines. He never gave in. He always found a way to win and never quit. He was extremely brave, tough and valiant the way he was able to play when age and injury had robbed him of his physical attributes. He still managed to hang in there and play a tough brand of football. I think you have to give credit to Dan and his ability to revolutionize the game when he entered the league. If you can convince Don Shula to change his philosophy, you have convinced other people in the league that perhaps throwing the ball is the new way to go about scoring points instead of just lining up and running the football, as Shula did with Bob Griese. It would be tough to call Marino the best of all time without a championship, but you have to take into account all criteria. He ranks up there with the greatest to ever play the game. Dan more closely resembles Johnny Unitas in his toughness and the championship character he displayed. | |
Sean Salisbury |
Sean Salisbury
I still think Marino had more football left in him, as
indicated by Miami now wanting him back and Minnesota
wanting to make him the starter. I hate to see him go
because I enjoyed watching him. I believe he can still
play, but I can understand if he doesn't want to move his
family. It's nice that he could go out on his terms instead
of someone else's. I'll miss him because I think he can
still win. Marino had the quick release, the great eyes and the
physical skills, but beyond that I don't know if there has
ever been a more competitive quarterback to play in the
NFL. I wish I could have seen him on a great team year
in and year out. It's a bummer that he is leaving without
a championship ring. There are certain athletes you
always want to get that ring, and he's one of them. It's a
bummer that he didn't get back to Super Bowl again after
1984. I think we got spoiled by him early, and 17 years
later, we are still spoiled. | |
Marty Schottenheimer |
Marty Schottenheimer
What I always admired about Dan Marino was the fire about him. Everybody talks about his quick release, and it was an unusual talent that he had. But I always saw the fire in his eyes. When you played against him, you knew he would probably have a good day. You just hoped it wasn't enough to beat you. One of the reasons Dan was able to do it as quickly as he did was that a lot of it was instinct. He knew where everybody was. He didn't necessarily read coverages right away. He just knew where his receivers were. He had that great field vision, knowing actually where to put the ball. He didn't need all the book learning and X's and O's because he had the natural instinctive flair for the game. He is clearly the finest passer I have ever seen. I don't think in time his inability to win the championship will impact negatively upon his legacy. It will always be referenced, but his numbers speak for themselves. He has been a great performer for a long time. | |
Joe Theismann |
Joe Theismann
The two quickest releases in the history of football were Dan Marino and Joe Namath. It's ironic they both played in the AFC East. With Marino, the first thing you think about is that he never won a championship. But you still have to stop and ask yourself if he could have been the greatest quarterback ever. Certainly, he has to be considered in the top three. I've always felt Joe Montana is the greatest because the ultimate barometer for a quarterback is a championship. But what Marino did with the Dolphins sort of revolutionized football. He really transformed the game into an exciting aerial show in Miami. Dan was never blessed with the greatest corps of receivers; they were good, but not phenomenally outstanding receivers like you see in today's football. That makes his accomplishments even greater. And Dan never had a running game. It was very similar to the situation we saw with John Elway. They were the two quarterbacks who carried their football teams for the longest time. It was kind of a shame that Dan ended his career with Jimmy Johnson wanting to run the football. I don't think that approach extended his career. Because of the lack of talent they had running the ball, Dan ultimately had to win the games with his arm anyway. Marino was a ferocious competitor. You would always see him scowling or yelling. A lot of people misunderstood that; when he yelled or screamed, Dan directed a lot of that at himself. | |
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ALSO SEE
Dan Marino retrospective
VIDEO
  Dan Marino announces his retirement from the Miami Dolphins. RealVideo: 28.8 Hank Goldberg with analysis on Dan Marino's decision. avi: 1558 kRealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1  Wayne Huizenga wants to keep the Marino legacy alive for Dolphins fans. wav: 168 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 |
