Posted on 07/21/2005 5:02:57 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) Hall of Fame-bound Dan Marino says he retired five years ago only after rejecting an offer to play for his hometown team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
When his 17-year career with the Miami Dolphins ended with the 1999 season, Marino turned down a well-publicized offer from the Minnesota Vikings. On Thursday, Marino said he also was approached by other teams, including the Steelers and coach Bill Cowher.
``I had a chance to go to Pittsburgh,'' Marino said. ``I don't think anybody knew that. ... Cowher called me about playing, but I had to make a decision within a couple of days, because he already had a guy that he was going to sign.''
Instead, the Pittsburgh native 38 years old and hampered by injuries decided against playing in 2000.
``At the time, I just kept thinking back to how my body felt the year before,'' he said. ``And to me there was something special about playing 17 years in one place. Although I was pretty close to doing it, it just didn't feel right. I probably could have played another year, no doubt.''
The most prolific passer in NFL history, Marino will be inducted Aug. 7 into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Don Shula paid tribute during a telephone conference call Wednesday and in the process took a shot at his successor as Dolphins coach, Jimmy Johnson. Shula, unable to contain his disdain for Johnson, bristled when asked if Marino benefited from having only two coaches.
``You mean he had one coach,'' Shula said. ``Look at the numbers. They speak for themselves.''
During 13 years with Shula, Marino averaged 28 touchdown passes per season, and Miami had a winning percentage of .614, plus six playoff victories. Throwing less often in his four years under Johnson, Marino averaged 17 touchdown passes per season, and Miami had a winning percentage of .563, plus two playoff wins.
In the wake of Shula's remark, Marino was asked if things would have been different had he played his entire career under the Hall of Fame coach.
``How did I know that was going to come up?'' Marino said with a chuckle. ``Would it have been different? Who knows? Coach Shula was an incredible influence on my career and a guy I respect very much, and I'm real excited that he's going to be there (in Canton) in two weeks.''
Danielson was good as was Landry. Erik Kramer was good when he had a line to block in front of him.
What is your take on Harrington? Everyone is saying he is under the gun, but when I read his stats from last year they do not look that bad. Case of racking up meaningless numbers, but blowing the big plays?
The biggest problem is wins. We're not winning games we're supposed to win. He also throws picks at the worst possible time, throws to double coverage, misses wide open receivers.
Harrington is probably going to end up a backup QB elsewhere (Charlie Batch, Mitchell, Peete) unless he steps it up.
I thought that play you're referring to was Rod Woodson, who tore a knee ligament attempting to tackle Sanders. Could be wrong though. While it adds to the Sanders legend, football players suffer injuries through planting their legs too sharply all the time.
What does that mean? He was the most prolific passer in history. He shredded defenses his entire career. "He didn't have what it takes" just doesn't seem right. There is nothing mystical about winning a championship. Either your team is good enough or it isn't. Marino was an absolutely fantastic quarterback on some average teams, with no running game and little defense.
I've always wondered what defensive adjustments Ditka and Ryan would have made if they had faced Marino in the Super Bowl that year.
It was Rod Woodson. It was ugly to watch. I think that was the play that turned him from a corner into a safety.
He tore the 'Boys up in that playoff win.
Ware didn't even make it as a backup elsewhere did he?
Me and you both. The leader of the Fish did have us figured out - that dat, at least.
I guess we could assume the Bears would have laid off blitzing Marino a bit.
Nope...and that includes the CFL and Arena leagues.
I knew it was one of the "named" guys. It was really ugly. It changed Woodson's life and shortened his career.
Zack, you are right that the turf contributed more to the situation than did Sanders' moves. But the convergence of the two made for one of those "Oh, gawd, I can't watch...show it again!" moments.
It certainly added to Sanders' mistique. Woodson was never the same. And thankfully, it drew enough negative attention to the condition of that horrid field that it was finally shut down.
But hey, we're inadvertently hijacking a Marino thread so I'm gonna shut up about Barry.
Please, I'm still having nightmares over this.
The last I remember seeing him was when the Jaguars signed him just after they came into existence. He couldn't even make the roster of an expansion team.
Veterans Stadium was a disgrace. Just fuzzy fake grass spread over concrete, probably.
Wait - maybe that was Riverfront Stadium!
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