NFL

Marino has been in Roethlisberger's position, says to have fun

By wire services
Published January 26, 2006

NEW YORK - He was a kid when he made it to the Super Bowl. Dan Marino figured every year would end with the big game, even after the Dolphins lost 38-16 in the 1985 Super Bowl. He was only 23. He had plenty of time.

Year after year passed. There were no more Super Bowls.

Now comes Ben Roethlisberger, hoping to become the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl when his Steelers play Seattle on Feb. 5. Marino had those hopes once, now he has a few words of wisdom for Big Ben: Enjoy the moment.

"My advice would be to have fun with it," Marino said Wednesday. "Don't take it for granted. After I lost that game, I felt, "Okay, we lost the Super Bowl, but we'll be back next year. We'll have more opportunities.'

Marino spent 17 seasons in the league and is still the youngest quarterback to start a Super Bowl at 23 years, 127 days old. Roethlisberger will be 23 years, 340 days old on game day, the second-youngest to make it.

The memories of the game are hazy for Marino. Everything started well enough. The Dolphins led 10-7 entering the second quarter. Then everything unraveled. Joe Montana took apart the Dolphins defense, and the 49ers dominated.

"I remember when the game was over, I wished it was like a baseball playoff series," Marino said. "If we could play again tomorrow, I think we'd win."

Marino also believes all of Roethlisberger's playoff success will help take the pressure off.

"First of all, the quarterback position - you get in the Super Bowl and you get a lot of the attention because of that," he said.

"The fact that he is so young and he's already played in five playoff games, two AFC championship games ... I think he'll handle it fine."

BILLS: Steve Fairchild was hired as offensive coordinator. He spent the past three seasons as the Rams offensive coordinator.

JETS: Offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger left the team. Last week, new coach Eric Mangini told him the team would retain him. Heimerdinger was upset because he was passed over for the coaching job. Heimerdinger, the Titans offensive coordinator from 2000-04, had two years and more than $2-million left on his contract, but neither side disclosed if there is a financial agreement.

PRO BOWL: Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma replaced Miami's Zach Thomas, who has shoulder and ankle injuries. Eagles safety Brian Dawkins replaced the Bears' Mike Brown, who has a calf injury. Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch replaced Miami's Jason Taylor, who has an undisclosed injury. And Seahawks center Robbie Tobeck and linebacker Lofa Tatupu will replace Chicago's Brian Urlacher and Olin Kreutz, who pulled out for undisclosed reasons.

ARENA FOOTBALL: Storm receiver/linebacker Lawrence Samuels was named to the Preseason All-Arena team. Also, the Storm is scheduled to appear on NBC on Saturday against Philadelphia and March 12 against Dallas. Its other games will be televised by FSN or Sun Sports.

[Last modified January 26, 2006, 01:02:16]