The Myth of Dan Marino

Ok, this is something that has bothered me from the moment I moved down here: the idea that Dan Marino is the greatest Quarterback that ever played, or even in the top 5, is the most preposterous idea I've ever heard in my life. I'm from the North, and Marino doesn't even come up in the discussion about best QBs ever. It's my opinion that Marino will go the way of Fran Tarkington, the previous leader in most passing categories and, outside of Florida, Marino will become irrelevant thirty years from now. Before I get into the comparisons, I want to get this straight: Marino is a great passer and had a quick release and a cannon for an arm, but you need to be a winner to be a great QB.

1) John Elway- When he retired he was the all-time leader in victories(146), fourth quarter comebacks(47), and Super Bowl starts (5). Elway also has a Super Bowl MVP, two Super Bowl wins and was a nine time participant in the Pro Bowl.

QB Rating: 79.9 Yards: 51,475 TDs:300 Rushing Yards: 3,407

2) Joe Montana- Without question, one of the greatest clutch QBs of all time as evident by his three Super Bowl MVPs and four Super Bowl wins. Montana went to eight Pro Bowls and led thirty-one fourth quarter comebacks.

QB Rating: 92.3 Yards: 35,142 TDs:244

3) Peyton Manning- He was further down this list and was on track to finish his career in disappointment like Marino. That was until last season when he was able to beat another great QB (Tom Brady) in the playoffs and earn Super Bowl MVP against the Bears. His Super Bowl victory and seven Pro Bowls already puts him ahead of Marino on my list.

QB Rating: 94.4 Yards: 37,589 TDs: 275

4) Brett Favre- He was a mobile QB who carried his team to a Super Bowl victory and won three MVPs in a row. Don't forget, Favre had to do a lot of his passing in very poor weather conditions, which many of these other players didn't have to deal with. Favre has gone to eight Pro Bowls and holds the highest all-time records in wins, completions, consecutive games started, and soon, TDs. Finally, it is possible that after this season he will pass Marino as the all-time leader in yards.

QB Rating: 85.1 Yards: 57,500 TDs: 414 Rushing Yards: 1,774

5) Troy Aikman- Aikman will likely be passed by Tom Brady in the next year or so, but regardless, Aikman was vastly underrated as a QB. Aikman was one of the most efficient QBs in history and was able to lead a team full of characters to three Super Bowl wins. He went to six Pro Bowls and has the most victories ever in a single decade (90 in the '90s).

QB Rating: 81.6 Yards: 32,942 TDs: 165

6) Tom Brady- Is battling with Peyton Manning for the crown of best QB of the past ten years. Brady has three Super Bowl wins, three Pro Bowls, and two Super Bowl MVPs. Brady has plenty of time to rise up this board and this season his team is loaded with talent.

QB Rating: 88.4 Yards: 21,564 TDs: 147

7) Steve Young- This is actually tough for me; I think Young deserves to be higher on this list but I couldn't justify moving anyone else down. Young won two MVPs, went to seven Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl. Young is the all-time leader in passer rating and rushing TDs for a QB. In his four seasons as a back up to Joe Montana, he threw twenty-three touchdowns and only six picks. Young was an important part of Montana's Super Bowl winning teams.

QB Rating: 96.8 Yards: 33,124 TDs: 232 Rushing Yards: 4,239 Rushing TDs: 43

8) Terry Bradshaw- Was very underrated as a QB. Like Aikman, his numbers suffered for the greater good of the team. If that's not the definition of a great QB then I don't know what is. Bradshaw won four Super Bowls, went to three Pro Bowls and eight consecutive AFC Championship games. When he retired, he held records for most passing yards(932) and TDs (9) in a Super Bowl career and won two straight Super Bowl MVPs.

QB Rating: 70.9 Yards: 27,989 TDs: 212

9) Dan Marino- No Super Bowl wins and he went to only one Super Bowl in his career. And don't forget he flat out missed the playoffs seven out his 17 years in the league. Marino is the Karl Malone of the NFL; great numbers but he was not a winner. Marino won one MVP, and went to nine Pro Bowls and when he retired, he was the all-time leader in many passing categories. The point is records can disappear, Super Bowl wins don't.

QB Rating: 86.4 Yards: 61,361 TDs: 420

So I've made my point. If you're going to be a great QB you need to win at least one Super Bowl. If Marino's numbers were leaps and bounds above everyone elses then maybe you could be considered great without winning. That doesn't apply to Marino. His records are slipping away and he hasn't been gone that long. So, Dolphin fans, enjoy that while your watching your team bottom out this season. Maybe next year you can pick a great QB like Brain Brohm.