DF I will agree to disagree with you, memory serves me right players were greasing their jerseys way past the 60-70's as you state and the Bears game of 1985 when a one handed Stevenson manhandled the Frig... Maybe your memory is better than mine, but then again...
Nothing else needs to be said, really. There really hasn't been a better passer. Only Namath could compare with that release. The downfield accuracy on deep passes - along with the speed of the ball - incredible. Other items that stick out: 1. Can you imagine what Marino would do in today's game with all those weapons? Think about that receiving corps: * Clayton * Duper * Nat Moore * Cefalo * Hardy * Dan Johnson * Jensen * Rose * Nathan * Bennett - 4 very good WR weapons; 4 TE/HBs; a FB & RB. 10 players who all caught TD passes from Dan that season. I have no doubt, no doubt, he could put up 55 TD's, possibly even approach 60, in today's game. 2. It is also amazing to me where we landed some of those in the draft (Clayton, round 8 - a 7th rounder in today's draft); Duper (late round 2); Moore (late round 3) - most of the rest late (except Nathan). 3. One of my favorite memories are the goal-line situations. In the 3 TE set, play-action was virtually unstoppable that year.
Possibly - I don't think there was no one doing some tricks - but I really don't think that was as common a thing at that point. The real point on that anecdote is that O-lineman uses tricks and will cheat anyway they can to get an edge. A one handed Stevenson could handle most players in that era! Arguable one of the greatest - if not greatest - centers to ever play the game. Regardless, however, the statistics are undeniable in terms of how the game has changed. Marino's stats (as I noted in a post above), with that group, would be astronomical today.
