Dan Marino is rooting for Peyton
Michigan
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MIAMI -- Super Bowl-bound for the first time, Peyton Manning welcomed the advice of Dan Marino.
They share a bond as two of the NFL's most prolific passers, their record-breaking achievements tainted only by their failure to win a title.
That could change Sunday for Manning, when he and the Indianapolis Colts play the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl.
So what counsel did Marino offer when they spoke in person last week?
"We talked about which restaurants he wanted to go (to) when he was here," Marino said.
OK, so Manning doesn't need Marino to tell him how important the big game will be. Marino reached the Super Bowl only once, in his second season in 1984, and he and the Miami Dolphins lost to Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers 38-16.
"The difference is, I was 23 years old at the time, and I actually thought that I'd be back many a time," Marino said. "After that game, I would have told you, 'I'll be back in this game, and I'm going to win."'
That didn't happen. Marino played another 15 years, reached the AFC championship game only once and lost. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005 and still holds NFL career records for passing yardage and touchdowns, but his failure to win a ring weighs against him in debates about the greatest quarterback ever.
At 30, Manning might soon become part of that conversation -- especially if he can win a Super Bowl.
"This might be his only opportunity, and I think he understands the position he's in," Marino said. "There is no doubt in the back of his mind, somewhere he's saying how important it is to win this game so no one will ever question his ability to win the Super Bowl. That's always going to be in the back of his mind until he wins it."
In his ninth season, Manning is aware that the chance to win a ring could be fleeting. Free agency will make it difficult for the Colts to keep their offensive juggernaut together.
"You feel a small window of opportunity," Manning said. "You'd better try to do it while you have the chance."
Manning and Marino played against each other for two seasons, and they're now friends and golfing buddies. For Manning, it's a relationship that dates to his grade-school days.
"I had two favorite quarterbacks growing up," Manning said. "My dad was my favorite, and then once he retired in 1984, Dan Marino took over as my favorite quarterback. He was just coming into the league."
Marino became a starter as a rookie in '83. The following season, he threw for 48 touchdowns, an NFL record until Manning threw for 49 two years ago.
In subsequent seasons, Marino was saddled with teams that had a mediocre defense and a worse running game. They were high-scoring but one-dimensional and not built to win a title.
For a long time, Marino refused to attend the Super Bowl out of frustration at his team's perennial late-season meltdowns. But he has been around this week in dual roles as a network TV announcer and ambassador for South Florida.
He'll take part in the coin toss Sunday, then root for Manning.
"The first thing I would say is, 'Take advantage of your opportunity,"' Marino said.
That's advice Manning will try to follow. He took Marino's restaurant recommendation, dining Monday with 20 other Colts at an Italian place in Fort Lauderdale.
Manning picked up the tab and savored the first night of Super Bowl week. He knows he might not be back.
They share a bond as two of the NFL's most prolific passers, their record-breaking achievements tainted only by their failure to win a title.
That could change Sunday for Manning, when he and the Indianapolis Colts play the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl.
So what counsel did Marino offer when they spoke in person last week?
"We talked about which restaurants he wanted to go (to) when he was here," Marino said.
OK, so Manning doesn't need Marino to tell him how important the big game will be. Marino reached the Super Bowl only once, in his second season in 1984, and he and the Miami Dolphins lost to Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers 38-16.
"The difference is, I was 23 years old at the time, and I actually thought that I'd be back many a time," Marino said. "After that game, I would have told you, 'I'll be back in this game, and I'm going to win."'
That didn't happen. Marino played another 15 years, reached the AFC championship game only once and lost. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005 and still holds NFL career records for passing yardage and touchdowns, but his failure to win a ring weighs against him in debates about the greatest quarterback ever.
At 30, Manning might soon become part of that conversation -- especially if he can win a Super Bowl.
"This might be his only opportunity, and I think he understands the position he's in," Marino said. "There is no doubt in the back of his mind, somewhere he's saying how important it is to win this game so no one will ever question his ability to win the Super Bowl. That's always going to be in the back of his mind until he wins it."
In his ninth season, Manning is aware that the chance to win a ring could be fleeting. Free agency will make it difficult for the Colts to keep their offensive juggernaut together.
"You feel a small window of opportunity," Manning said. "You'd better try to do it while you have the chance."
Manning and Marino played against each other for two seasons, and they're now friends and golfing buddies. For Manning, it's a relationship that dates to his grade-school days.
"I had two favorite quarterbacks growing up," Manning said. "My dad was my favorite, and then once he retired in 1984, Dan Marino took over as my favorite quarterback. He was just coming into the league."
Marino became a starter as a rookie in '83. The following season, he threw for 48 touchdowns, an NFL record until Manning threw for 49 two years ago.
In subsequent seasons, Marino was saddled with teams that had a mediocre defense and a worse running game. They were high-scoring but one-dimensional and not built to win a title.
For a long time, Marino refused to attend the Super Bowl out of frustration at his team's perennial late-season meltdowns. But he has been around this week in dual roles as a network TV announcer and ambassador for South Florida.
He'll take part in the coin toss Sunday, then root for Manning.
"The first thing I would say is, 'Take advantage of your opportunity,"' Marino said.
That's advice Manning will try to follow. He took Marino's restaurant recommendation, dining Monday with 20 other Colts at an Italian place in Fort Lauderdale.
Manning picked up the tab and savored the first night of Super Bowl week. He knows he might not be back.
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Btw, I still think Marino was the best QB of all-time even without a ring.
<< <i>That whole needing a super bowl ring to validate being a great QB is such nonsense. A good career for an NFL quarterback is what, 10-12 years? There are 32 teams in the league. The odds are stacked against even great players ever winning a single super bowl. Not to mention there are still 21 other starters (not counting special teams) on your team that will greatly affect whether or not you win or lose.
Btw, I still think Marino was the best QB of all-time even without a ring.
It does seem unfair but that is the way most people look at it these days, you can have great QB stats but if you don't have that ring
then your career is incomplete and somewhat tarnished. It shows just how big and important the Super Bowl has become in
our sports culture.
<< <i>Dan Marino is rooting for Peyton >>
Uh-oh.....the Marino kiss of death
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Btw, I still think Marino was the best QB of all-time even without a ring.
All true, but like it or not, the greatness of a quarterback is measured by championships. That's why Montana was sometimes referred to as God when he led the 49ers to four Super Bowl titles. Ask John Elway if winning a Super Bowl doesn't elevate you to the next level as a QB. Marino is great but he'll always be viewed as the guy who couldn't win the big one, just like Elway was before the back to back titles and Manning is (till this year at least).
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