How many of you thought Dan Marino left one season too late?

[endorPHINS72]

Anyone who really thinks we was washed up his last couple years at Miami has no real clue what was really going on and didn't really WATCH the games

Dan Marino is my favorite quarterback of all time, but the overall 1999 season is not the way I want to remember him. He had his glimpses of his old self that year (both games against the Colts), but more often than not, he was a shell of his old self. He couldn't maintain his arm strength throughout the season, his mobility was greatly affected and he just couldn't thread the needle like he once could. Passes that he used to make and leave defenders saying, "How did he get that in there? I had perfect coverage on my man!!!" were now being intercepted and run back for touchdowns.

I think we as Dolphins fans need to step back and look at the situation without emotion. Would you want a Brett Favre right now? Or a Jerry Rice? Or a Deion Sanders? These were guys that either are either too proud to retire or recently did. I don't fault these guys in the least, and I didn't fault Dan. They are all relentless competitors and are used to being told they can't do it and laugh in the face of their critics. Unfortunately, there comes a time when the critics are right and it's time to move on.

 

[FinsFan2187]

It may be selfish but I'm glad Marino didnt retire a year earlier....I got to see him play his last regular season game (a loss to Redskins)....may have not been in his prime but I'm glad I got to see him play....now I just need to get to Miami to see a game

 

[fish fan 4 life]

It may be selfish but I'm glad Marino didnt retire a year earlier....I got to see him play his last regular season game (a loss to Redskins)....may have not been in his prime but I'm glad I got to see him play....now I just need to get to Miami to see a game

I only saw Marino play in person 1 time and it was great.It was Mannings first game in the NFL and we beat the Colts.Marino hit Oronde Gadsden for a 50 some yard td pass.

 

[FinsFan2187]

I only saw Marino play in person 1 time and it was great.It was Mannings first game in the NFL and we beat the Colts.Marino hit Oronde Gadsden for a 50 some yard td pass.

I think I remember that game...was it in RCA Dome and we had to come from behind in the 4th quarter?...I know he threw an absolute bomb in the last few minutes of that game...don't know if that was Mannings first game or not though

 

[Bumpus]

He should have left earlier... he was a COMPLETE hindrance to any sort of running game ecause he lacked the mobility to even make a handoff properly without completely telegraphing it to defenses. I beleive being handicapped to an aging Marino was the reason JJ got run out of town. He wasn't allowed to COMPLETELY build the team in his image, because he couldn't get rid of the legend in Marino without getting a ton of heat for it. JJ's defense was super bowl capable, and IMO better than the vaunted Ravens defense in '99. Seeing what the team did with Huard with NO offense, only made me imagine what JJ could have done with taking a journeyman QB that could execute the play-action passes/runs and pairing them with that defense.

Yeah, that's it ... JJ was the answer.
:shakeno:

Without the H. Walker trade, JJ would have been known as an AVERAGE coach!

... that being said, I hated to see Danny go - but it was time.

 

[dw10]

There is no question that Dan stood around too long. A year too long, maybe two. As hard as it is to say, Dan was toast by the end of his career. Anyone that thinks he could have played another 2 years (as I see posted) needs to step back and take a look. C'mon guys.
And this coming from possibly the biggest homer of a fan. I've lived and breathed Miami Dolphins for the last 32 years.

 

[Redneck Friend]

Not only did I watch those games, but I watched Marino his whole career. And if you really think he was anywhere close to the same QB, you're being delusional.

PHINGENERAL: thanx for saving me a bunch of typing!

why do the weekest posters always throw out the "you don't watch the
games" replies?

 

[TJamesW_phinfan]

I think Dan could have played at least one more year.

I remember a lot (not all) of the interceptions were from bobbled passes he put right in the receivers hands. I also remember several other catchable balls that were dropped at key times ending the drive. And failed first down run attempts ending a drive.

...
​

In the jacksonville game.

The Jaguars shredded the Dolphins with 520 total offensive yards in what became Miami quarterback Dan Marino's last game in the NFL.

• Scoring
  • JAC - Smith 8 pass from Brunell (Hollis kick)
  • JAC - FG Hollis 45
  • JAC - Taylor 90 run (Hollis kick)
  • JAC - Brackens 16 fumble return (Hollis kick)
  • JAC - Taylor 39 pass from Brunell (Hollis kick)
  • JAC - Stewart 25 run (Hollis kick)
  • JAC - FG Hollis 28
  • MIA - Gadsden 20 pass from Marino (Mare kick)
  • JAC - Smith 70 pass from Fiedler (Hollis kick)
  • JAC - Whitted 38 pass from Fiedler (Hollis kick)
  • JAC - Howard 5 run (Hollis kick)

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL_playoffs,_1999-2000#AFC:_Jacksonville_Jaguars_62.2C_Miami_Dolphins_7

More stats here
http://www.phins.com/games99/jaguars-playoff-stats.html

Marino did not play well that game but very few of the phins did. The team lost that game not just Dan.

...
​

Interception statistics don't always illustrate what really happened and sometimes are the fault of a receiver.

With a good front line, two dependable receivers, and a decent run game Marino could have played a little longer. But not with JJ. I think JJ was one of the worst things to happen to Miami and not just because of Marino. There were too many other things including Wanstedt that JJ did to the phins. And as far as the superbowls he won... nearly anyone would have won them with the team that the Cowboys had at that time.

No Dan wasn't the same QB but he still had some good football left in him.

 

[fish fan 4 life]

I think I remember that game...was it in RCA Dome and we had to come from behind in the 4th quarter?...I know he threw an absolute bomb in the last few minutes of that game...don't know if that was Mannings first game or not though

It was at the RCA Dome and it was Mannings first game.I cant remember if we came from behind or not but i do remember Danny bombin it out.Terrell Buckley had two picks of Manning returning 1 of them for a td.Manning still had over 300 yards.We shut down Marshall Faulk though.

 

[JFoxx]

PHINGENERAL: thanx for saving me a bunch of typing!

why do the weekest posters always throw out the "you don't watch the
games" replies?

And why do some people feel it's necessary to call people "weak" posters because they don't agree with you ? Try actually reading a post before going off on someone.
First of all, I agreed with an earlier statement posted stating that he still had a couple years left in him. I never said he was the same QB he was earlier in his career.

Secondly, my comment about truly "watching" the games was not about being at or seeing them on TV, but rather what was truly going on in the game. The play calling, the blocking, the amount of time he had to throw, etc. That was my point of the comment. I respect the fact that you and PhinGeneral have different point of views than I on this, but don't start casting stones because someone else has a different opinion. I still believe Dan had a couple years left in him to be an effective QB with Miami or any other team for that matter. Could he still throw 50-60 yards down the field or zip it past 3 defenders on a dime, probably not. But who did we have on the roster who could and was a better QB than him at that time ?

 

[Finole]

Here's the list of the starting QBs in 1999...

Kurt Warner
Peyton Manning
Brett Favre
Steve McNair
Rich Gannon

Dan Marino

Mark Brunell
Drew Bledsoe
Neil O'Donnell
Brad Johnson
Jake Plummer
Jon Kitna
Troy Aikman
Chris Chandler
Jeff Garcia
Doug Flutie
Tim Couch
Brian Griese
Trent Dilfer
Ray Lucas
Tony Banks
Mike Tomczak
Jeff Blake
Elvis Grbac
Jim Harbaugh
Kerry Collins
Doug Pederson
Jeff George
Gus Frerotte
Shane Matthews
Steve Beuerlein
Billy Joe Tolliver

There's only 5 guys I'd take instead of Marino in his last year: Warner, Manning, Favre, McNair, and Gannon.

 

[Captain91]

oh yeh,

One season too late? I thought he should have stayed. We would have beat Oakland in the playoffs with Dan.

Marino, should have stayed alot longer and J. Johnson should have been axed. He hand cuffed the greatested qb ever and forced the run. could you imagine if we would have let Marino run the offense the way he wanted. J.Johnson ruined our offense

 

[Finole]

Let's talk stats for a second...

In 1999:

Dan Marino (in 11 games) 55.3% 2448 yards 12 TDs 17 INTs
Steve McNair (in 11 games) 56.5% 2179 yards 12 TDs 8 INTs

The most glaring stat is the number of INTs. Gee, I wonder if Marino's injury had anything to do what that? If he played in 2000, the INTs would have gone way down. Believe that.

McNair almost won the Superbowl that year. The Superbowl.

Are you telling me Marino couldn't play another year when he put up almost identical stats to one of the QBs starting in Superbowl?!!!

Other interesting stats...

Jake Plummer (in 12 games) 52.8% 2111 yards 9 TDs 24 INTs
Troy Aikman (in 14 games) 59.5% 2964 yards 17 TDs 12 INTs
Tim Couch (in 15 games) 55.9% 2447 yards 15 TDs 13 INTs (his rookie year)

Obviously, Marino didn't possess the same skills in 1999 that he possessed in 1984. Was he still good enough to compete in the NFL? You bet he was.

 

[Finole]

Marino didn't retire because he couldn't play the game anymore. If he came back for one more season, he would have easily been one of the top QBs in the league.

But at what cost?

His body was battle-scarred. Another season would surely take its toll. So if he did return, it would really have to be worth it. Meaning another run at the Superbowl.

Dave Wannabe wasn't going to take us the Superbowl. Marino knew that. He also knew Wanny didn't want him around anymore. (Why Dave %*&$^% Wannabe thinks you can win football games without a legit QB, I'll never understand.)

So playing another year probably meant he wouldn't be in Miami. That was a big factor for Marino.

Here's another thing you can't lose sight of. Marino's last season, Kurt Warner was going off in St. Louis. 65% completion percentage, 4353 yards, 41 TDs. It reminded everyone of the Marino of old.

But Marino was still a great QB. One of the best in the NFL. It's just that he was so much better than anyone else, we held him to a higher standard.

I would rather have the Marino of 1984 than the Marino of 1999. But I would also rather have the Marino of 1999 than most of the other QBs of 1999.

I know that playoff loss at Jacksonville was horrible. It's a travesty that it was Marino's last game. Personally, I think it made it that much harder for Marino to walk away.

But don't forget, just the week before.

Just one week earlier!

Marino led the team to yet another come from behind victory against Seattle in the Wild Card game. He still had some gas in the tank, believe me.

There's no doubt in my mind that Dave Wannabe made a big mistake by letting him go.

And there's no doubt in my mind that Dan Marino could have played another year. And played well.

 

[Colorado Dolfan]

Marino didn't retire because he couldn't play the game anymore. If he came back for one more season, he would have easily been one of the top QBs in the league.

But at what cost?

His body was battle-scarred. Another season would surely take its toll. So if he did return, it would really have to be worth it. Meaning another run at the Superbowl.

Dave Wannabe wasn't going to take us the Superbowl. Marino knew that. He also knew Wanny didn't want him around anymore. (Why Dave %*&$^% Wannabe thinks you can win football games without a legit QB, I'll never understand.)

So playing another year probably meant he wouldn't be in Miami. That was a big factor for Marino.

Here's another thing you can't lose sight of. Marino's last season, Kurt Warner was going off in St. Louis. 65% completion percentage, 4353 yards, 41 TDs. It reminded everyone of the Marino of old.

But Marino was still a great QB. One of the best in the NFL. It's just that he was so much better than anyone else, we held him to a higher standard.

I would rather have the Marino of 1984 than the Marino of 1999. But I would also rather have the Marino of 1999 than most of the other QBs of 1999.

I know that playoff loss at Jacksonville was horrible. It's a travesty that it was Marino's last game. Personally, I think it made it that much harder for Marino to walk away.

But don't forget, just the week before.

Just one week earlier!

Marino led the team to yet another come from behind victory against Seattle in the Wild Card game. He still had some gas in the tank, believe me.

There's no doubt in my mind that Dave Wannabe made a big mistake by letting him go.

And there's no doubt in my mind that Dan Marino could have played another year. And played well.

Great post!!