Is Dan Marino overrated?

Mandatory Credit: MiamiDolphins.com

“Marino never had a running game.”

Everyone and their dear old grandmother knows this to be true. During Marino’s 17-season career he amassed one single season of 1,000 yard rushing.

It should also be stated that when that happened the Dolphins went 8-8, missed the playoffs, and the back who gained those 1,000 plus yards averaged 3.6 yards and his longest run was 29 yards. Yeesh.

Not only that, but Marino only had four 900 plus yard rushers in his career. Manning has had 10 1,000-yard rushers while Brady and Montana have had four.

Montana won three of his four Super Bowls with 1,000 yard backs, Brady won two of his four with the same, and Manning’s only title was also accompanied by a 1,000 yard back. Conversely, both Montana and Brady have won with a back gaining less than 650 yards on the ground.

So the ground game certainly helped Manning get his championship and really aided Brady and Montana to garner a good chunk of theirs. However, Montana and Brady have overcome this obstacle to win championships, but remember, they had good defenses then too.