| | FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
apparently are passing on Dan Marino before he could pass for
them.
| |  | |
| Marino |
The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reported Friday that Tampa
Bay coach Tony Dungy has all but ruled out the quarterback
continuing his Hall of Fame career in Tampa Bay. Marino voided
the final two years of his contract with the Miami Dolphins
earlier this month.
"I would say you could probably put it to rest," Dungy told the
paper about speculation his team would grab Marino. "I would
like to talk to (Marino) just to tell him where we are and find
out where he is. But I wouldn't see it happening.
"I don't see Dan as a No. 2 quarterback. It's hard for me to
visualize that. I haven't heard from him, so I can't say
specifically that he wouldn't want to do what I would foresee
his role (being). I can't rule it out until I talk to him. But
just from what I have in my mind, I don't see it happening."
Dungy said the Buccaneers are committed to Shaun King, who
stepped into the starter role as a rookie this season and nearly
took the club to the Super Bowl. Tampa Bay lost 11-6 to the
St. Louis Rams in the NFC championship game.
The chances of Marino returning to the Dolphins appear slim,
since the team signed Damon Huard to a contract extension and
grabbed Jacksonville Jaguars' backup Jay Fiedler from the free
agent market.
The 38-year-old Marino, who endured the most difficult season of
his 17-year career, had the ability to void the last two years
under terms of the pact he signed in June. He is expected to
make a decision on his future sometime in March.
Speculation was so high Marino would end up with Tampa Bay that
one South Florida newspaper superimposed a picture of him in a
Buccaneers uniform the day after he voided his Dolphins
contract.
The most prolific passer in NFL history, Marino missed five
games and part of a sixth this season due to a neck injury. He
completed 55 percent of his passes for 2,450 yards with 12
touchdowns and 17 interceptions, his highest total in a decade.
| |
ALSO SEE
Ex-Viking McDaniel working on deal with Tampa Bay
 |
