The thing I remember best about the early Marino era was how the team shifted so strongly from a run-first team to an aerial attack team when Marino's talent became undeniable. Back then "Air Coryell" (the Chargers with Dan Fouts) was the only big-time passing attack in the league, believe it or not. I remember thinking the Dolphins suddenly became something even more than Air Coryell with Marino and the Marks Brothers' emergence.
He was a ducking stud.. Never had a defense that he could depend on, never had a complete dominant run game, never had elite level wide receivers or tight ends.. Just a terrible job of personnel decision making during his time..
If Miami would have drafted Terrell Davis instead of Denver, it would have been Marino retiring with (at least) two rings and the overrated Elway would never be mentioned as one of the all time greats. PS. Always wondered how/if David Overstreet would have changed the Dolphins’ fortunes at the time.
I suspect Marino was his own worst enemy in that regard. I watched the guy's whole career. He wanted to drive the bus and played in that manner. He wasn't going to be handing the ball off to anybody with any regularity, I don't care who it was. He would've audibled to passing plays a great deal even with Jim Brown back there.
I doubt it. The offense was never the issue with Marino (at least with Shula). The defense was the main issue. The Dolphins did have the #1 defense in 1983 in Marino's rookie year, but once Arnsparger left that defense crumbled. Arnsparger was one of the greatest DC's ever, and the difference between Marino winning multiple SB's (realistically 3+ IMO) and what actually happened all comes down to Arnsparger leaving. The tragic record on defense without Arnsparger is btw one black eye on Shula because it shows he couldn't build a good defense without him (except for a year or two coasting on what Arnsparger built).
Marino missed the "Killer Bs" era by one year, tragically. You pair that defense with Marino and you might've seen another perfect season, or at least the 18-1 you saw with the Bears in '85.
The two tragic deaths in the LB core also necessitated Coach Shula reaching on LB's early in the drafts - apart from Offerdahl, he only drafted duds there
Ummm, who was the Dolphins DC during the early 70’s? Seriously, I can’t find who it was to mount a counter-argument
Yeah, I feel like receivers weren't an issue for Marino...he had great receivers. Crappy run game and poor defenses.
Arnsparger, from 1970-1973, and then again from 1976-1983: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/ArnsBi0.htm
Thanks, I couldn't find it. On the newer pages of Wiki, it'll show the organizational staff but once you get back into the early 70's, it doesn't give the staff. And I do have to agree with you...Arnsparger was one of the greatest DC's of all time. The man knew how to build and run a defense!
The 1st time I saw Dan play was on Thanksgiving his junior year of college. It was Pitt vs Penn State, Marino vs Blackledge. Now I was 15 or so and didn't really give a darn about college football but that game was on so I watched for a little bit. Then Dan started doing his thing and I was totally captivated. He was incredible. Of course his senior year he fell off some and with the "rumors" he ended up falling to us on draft day. Back then I don't think they had started televising the draft but it was right around then. I remembered checking the paper (that is how you had to do it back then) to see who we had drafted early on and saw we had drafted Marino. I couldn't believe how lucky we were cause I knew he was a beast! So Awesome! That is the 1st time I ever cared about the NFL Draft. Good stuff. On to Bill Arnsparger, Yeah if he hadn't gotten that job at LSU there is no Question Dan would have gotten a ring or two. Arnsparger was a terrific DC. One of the best. Darn shame. Honestly I never really thought too much of Don's GM skills. If we had a separate GM I think we would have been far better off.
Even though Elway is overrated in my opinion, he was still a great player. More so normal greatness than an all time great though, like a guy youd want on your team but not one of the first guys youd choose all time.