FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Johnny Unitas, who threw for more than 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns before most people could comprehend 30,000 and 200, took a few moments recently to ponder the Joe Montana-Dan Marino debate.
Unitas, 61, is a spokesman for Merck & Co. Inc., a pharmaceutical firm. The former Baltimore Colts great has toured the country since August to inform men 50 and over about the risks of prostate disease, which claims 40,000 men annually.
The last time Montana faced the Dolphins' Dan Marino was in the 1984 Super Bowl, when Montana led San Francisco to the second of four titles during his reign. While Montana won titles, Marino has closed in on almost every passing record.
While Unitas refused to make a choice between the two, here are some of his thoughts on Montana and Marino.
Q: How do you compare the two?
A: I don't get into comparisons because it has more to do with the people you play with. Dan has had extremely good people. I don't think Dan would want to change anything. Joe has had a tremendous people around him, and that's why they won titles. They're both dropback quarterbacks, but Joe runs a little bit more.
Marino is more forceful with the ball. Joe throws a little bit easier ball to catch. They're both extremely accurate passers. Marino is probably much more durable. Marino is 6-3, 6-4, in the 200s, and Joe isn't that big at all. Joe is going to be looking for retirement in a year or two. He's not a big muscle guy.
Q: On a recent talk show, you discussed Marino's ability to read defenses. Is he the best at it?
A: Dan has been great for Miami. He reads defenses extremely well. Joe does the same thing. He doesn't fool around with the ball. There are a few guys in that crop, Joe, Dan, [Jim] Kelly, [John] Elway. Those are probably the cream of the crop at reading defenses. [Drew] Bledsoe and [Rick] Mirer, I think they'll be there someday. I've always felt that the weakest postion in the NFL was quarterback; they just don't have enough good ones right now.
Q: Who's better between Marino and Montana? Are they the greatest players at their position?
I don't go out on a limb like that. For years, they've been saying that about me, and I'm thankful for that. But it's the people you play with make the difference. I think those two are the cream of the crop. I think Kelly is good. He had a great game the other night against the Dolphins. But he's a little bit different as a thrower.
Q: Is it fair to say that Marino is the best because of his statistics?
A: If you're going to base everything by statistics, that's not a fair way of comparison. The rules have made it so much easier to throw the ball and get downfield. Wide receivers can't be bumped after 5 yards. It becomes easier to play. If you can't complete 60 to 65 percent against those types of defense, you shouldn't be there. You can build up stats pretty easy now with the way they throw 40 to 50 times a game. The stats don't mean a hill of beans if you don't get in the end zone and you don't win the game.
Q: Will people say that Montana was the best because of his four championships?
A: That's very possible because Dan hasn't won the Super Bowl. That's what people look at. I'm sure that people in Miami are happy with him. He gets in the end zone, and that's what his job is.
Q: Who do you think will take over for these two when they retire?
A: Hopefully Bledsoe will be coming into his own. . . . I think he set a record recently, throwing the ball 70 times or something. That's great for him, and it'll make him a better player down the line. But with all the stats you want to compile, it still comes down to: "How many touchdowns did I throw? How many times did I get my team in the end zone? If I throw for 458 yards, did we get in the end zone and win?" It's just like O. J. Simpson running for 250 yards and setting a record and not getting into the end zone enough. He scored one touchdown and his team lost, 14-7. He set a record. That's great, but . . .
Q: Who would you were starting a team, who would you rather have at quarterback, Marino or Montana?
A: If I was starting a football team, I would go with the more durable guy. I'd get the one who was going to last, and at this point and that's probably Marino.
Q: What if they were both just starting out?
A: I think you flip a coin. You don't go wrong with either one.
Q: Would they have any problems playing in your era?
A: They wouldn't have had any problem. They probably wouldn't be throwing the football 40, 50 times. Our game had a little more strategy, not just sending everybody out and getting the ball to the open guy.
Q: Would you have any problems playing in this era?
A: I wouldn't have any problem with it. It would be a lot easier. The defense has changed. They're playing mostly single coverage and not covering all the way downfield. It used to be that they'd hit them [the receiver], knock 'em down, sit on 'em and dare 'em to get back up. The game is still a great game. There's nothing wrong with the game. It's just different.
Q: Could you compare Montana and Marino as far as leadership?
A: I don't know those individuals well enough. I think that's something you have to ask their coaches. I know both of them enough to say hello to. I've spent a little time with them. Let's just put it this way: They don't get that far without being leaders.
Q: Does either one of them compare to you and how you played?
A: Marino more so. I was more of a pocket guy, I wasn't going to hurt anybody running the ball. . . . He doesn't move unless absolutely necessary, unlike a [Fran] Tarkenton-type guy, who'd get out of there and make something happen. Dan sees the field so well. Dan goes down the field. Joe throws a lot of the swing passes.
Q: What would you be worth if you played today?
A: About $10 million a year.