Bear-Arms
Mentor
WESTON, Fla. - So far, Dan Marino likes what he sees from new Miami coach Nick Saban. And if Saban decides Ricky Williams' return is good for the Dolphins, then count Marino as a supporter of the move.
Marino said Tuesday that he believes the Dolphins could eventually get past the Williams retirement saga that played a role in sending the proud franchise to one of its worst seasons, a 4-12 last season. Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, has said his client plans to be with Miami for training camp this summer.
"Everybody forgives people. So over time, I guess you'd probably want him back and understand that he's had some problems," said Marino, the Dolphins' quarterback for 17 seasons. "At the time, it's tough because you're going into a season that was made very difficult for a lot of people who've been working so hard."
Williams retired unexpectedly shortly before training camp last summer. Without him, the Dolphins averaged just 17.2 points and 275 yards per game - their worst production since 1969.
In his two seasons with Miami, Williams rushed for 3,225 yards, including an NFL-best 1,853 in 2002.
"People make mistakes all the time," Marino said. "You can't condemn him for life."
Marino's summer will be busy with things like charity obligations and family vacations. His oldest son Daniel is heading off to study theater at a small school in North Carolina this fall. There's also the small matter of his pending induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame - Marino hasn't started his acceptance speech yet.
Yet his mind never travels too far from the Dolphins, the team he starred for and later served briefly as an executive for before deciding that the job would take too much time away from his family.
Marino said he thinks Saban has made some good moves to this point.
"He's the guy that's in charge," Marino said Tuesday as a sculptor visited his home to continue preparing his Hall of Fame bust. "The thing about it is, he's won everywhere he's been. I think he's doing it the right way. Over time, obviously, you'll see how it goes by winning and losing. But I think he's done a great job so far."
When Marino left the Dolphins after the 1999 season, his NFL records included 4,967 completions, 8,358 passes, 61,361 yards and 420 touchdowns. His single-season record of 48 touchdown passes was broken in 2004 by Indianapolis' Peyton Manning.
Marino was the 1984 league MVP, made three All-Pro teams and nine Pro Bowls - but never won a Super Bowl. Some of his other NFL records include most seasons with 3,000 yards or more passing (13); most yards passing in one season (5,084 in 1984); and most games with 300 yards or more passing (63).
Marino flourished under the high pressure and demands South Florida puts on the Dolphins, but he sounds hopeful that Saban isn't expected to complete his Miami rebuilding project right away.
"When you have a new coach, you have to buy into the program and he has his ideas of what he wants to do," Marino said. "If everybody believes in him and they execute that, and if people are patient - which I think sometimes South Florida fans aren't - and people buy into his program, they're going to win."
Marino said Tuesday that he believes the Dolphins could eventually get past the Williams retirement saga that played a role in sending the proud franchise to one of its worst seasons, a 4-12 last season. Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, has said his client plans to be with Miami for training camp this summer.
"Everybody forgives people. So over time, I guess you'd probably want him back and understand that he's had some problems," said Marino, the Dolphins' quarterback for 17 seasons. "At the time, it's tough because you're going into a season that was made very difficult for a lot of people who've been working so hard."
Williams retired unexpectedly shortly before training camp last summer. Without him, the Dolphins averaged just 17.2 points and 275 yards per game - their worst production since 1969.
In his two seasons with Miami, Williams rushed for 3,225 yards, including an NFL-best 1,853 in 2002.
"People make mistakes all the time," Marino said. "You can't condemn him for life."
Marino's summer will be busy with things like charity obligations and family vacations. His oldest son Daniel is heading off to study theater at a small school in North Carolina this fall. There's also the small matter of his pending induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame - Marino hasn't started his acceptance speech yet.
Yet his mind never travels too far from the Dolphins, the team he starred for and later served briefly as an executive for before deciding that the job would take too much time away from his family.
Marino said he thinks Saban has made some good moves to this point.
"He's the guy that's in charge," Marino said Tuesday as a sculptor visited his home to continue preparing his Hall of Fame bust. "The thing about it is, he's won everywhere he's been. I think he's doing it the right way. Over time, obviously, you'll see how it goes by winning and losing. But I think he's done a great job so far."
When Marino left the Dolphins after the 1999 season, his NFL records included 4,967 completions, 8,358 passes, 61,361 yards and 420 touchdowns. His single-season record of 48 touchdown passes was broken in 2004 by Indianapolis' Peyton Manning.
Marino was the 1984 league MVP, made three All-Pro teams and nine Pro Bowls - but never won a Super Bowl. Some of his other NFL records include most seasons with 3,000 yards or more passing (13); most yards passing in one season (5,084 in 1984); and most games with 300 yards or more passing (63).
Marino flourished under the high pressure and demands South Florida puts on the Dolphins, but he sounds hopeful that Saban isn't expected to complete his Miami rebuilding project right away.
"When you have a new coach, you have to buy into the program and he has his ideas of what he wants to do," Marino said. "If everybody believes in him and they execute that, and if people are patient - which I think sometimes South Florida fans aren't - and people buy into his program, they're going to win."
