This thread is too good - I just have to chime in!
Marino was AND still is a megalomaniac (I think that's how it's spelled). In any event, I propose that he, in all actuality, KILLED the Dolphins by making them the one-dimensional team that they were with him under center. Oh, and I don't want to hear all the crying about how we never had the running back to take us there. BULLSH*T! We had more than our share of backs that were, at least, good enough.
And in any event. What killed all those Marino led teams was his TITANIC EGO that felt he could constantly prove to the world what gigantic balls he had by trying to thread the ball through double and triple coverage. ONE GAME (though I could pick dozens) illustrates this weakness perfectly. The '85 AFC Championship game vs. N.E. Yes, that defense really sucked. But Marino's three INT's didn't help, either. And neither did Shula's play calling. Which brings me to another point.
Shula had a responsibility to keep Marino's head from expanding into the stratosphere... and he failed at that. As coach, Shula HAD TO keep hold of the reins. And he didn't. That's why Elway has two rings and Danny ZERO!
Elway was erratic as hell for the first few years but he worked on his sh*t, much like Favre had to under Holmgren (sp.?) and other quarterbacks, too. Marino had no such supervision. After Strock left... that was it.
Want one reason why Jimmy didn't have the success in Miami that he had in Dallas? Marino. Right there.
Really, I'm so tired of always hearing about what a GOD quarterback Marino was. Same as everyone goes on about Manning now.
The smart qb is the patient qb. The qb that wins knows when and HOW to wait. Just ask Montana.
Now there's a starting point for talk about a true champion.
My .02
Let the flaming begin.