jimster Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Marino Says He Turned Down Chance to Play for Steelers in 2000 http://sports.iwon.com/news/07212005/v9547.html Jul 21, 5:10 PM (ET) Email this Story By STEVEN WINE 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." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted July 21, 2005 Author Share Posted July 21, 2005 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. That's kind of surprising to hear Shula make a comment like that. - I think his numbers went down under Jimmy Johnson, because he was trying to establish more ball control and keep the defense off the field. All those years under Shula when they had no running game, they kind of had to pass for any chance to win games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simmsm88 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Marino possesed the greatest arm ever. Pinpoint accurate, able to launch it 40 yards in a straight line, get the ball out his hands in a flash. There might have been greater QB's in history but none of them had the arm Marino had, not even Elway. Marino was like the mold of a perfect quarterback. Had he won a super bowl I honestly believe he'd be hailed as the greatest ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Washington Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Originally posted by Simmsm88 Marino possesed the greatest arm ever. Pinpoint accurate, able to launch it 40 yards in a straight line, get the ball out his hands in a flash. There might have been greater QB's in history but none of them had the arm Marino had, not even Elway. Marino was like the mold of a perfect quarterback. Had he won a super bowl I honestly believe he'd be hailed as the greatest ever. i agree. i think he and warren moon have the most productive strong arms i've ever seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prophet Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 I don't no... elway had a rocket launcher instead of a arm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnacpa Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 I think Warren Moon has the best ball I have ever seen thrown. No disrespect to Marino, but Moon's numbers eclipse everyone if you look at his entire pro career and not just the NFL. He had a long stint in Canada I believe. He never had an offensive line in Houston and still gutted it out. Marino had some magical moments of his own, of course. I still remember the great play he had against the jets when he faked downing the ball to throw a TD pass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 Originally posted by bnacpa He never had an offensive line in Houston and still gutted it out. Mike Munchak and Bruce Matthews? That line wasn't bad. It was just the system (run n shoot) that held them back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Prime Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 Real shame he didn't get a Super Bowl ring.. Always thought he was a nice level guy with great skill. Glad he made it into the HoF even though the Hall is now a sham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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