Williams: Why Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow is being compared to Dan Marino

[Arkansas Bengal]

Jason Williams

Cincinnati Enquirer

 

 

Ask columnist Jason Williams anything − sports or non-sports – and he’ll pick some of your questions and comments from his inbox and respond on Cincinnati.com. Email:jwilliams@enquirer.com

 

Subject: Is Joe Burrow the next Dan Marino?

 

Message: Joe Burrow is this generation’s Dan Marino. There’s him. There’s two great receivers (Mark Duper-Mark Clayton = Tee Higgins-Ja’Marr Chase). And then … What else did Marino really have during his career that differs from Burrow – except for a clear advantage (coach Don Shula) compared to the current Bengals at head coach?

 

Yes, it would be nice for the Bengals to do more around Burrow. How about Burrow in good faith start with a restructured contract? He deserves to share his voice. But he also has to acknowledge his contract probably isn’t helping things.

 

Reply: You’re among several inboxers who’ve made the Burrow-Marino comparison. It’s still early in Burrow’s career, but I understand fans don't like how things are trending.

 

Marino never won a Super Bowl during his incredible, 17-year Hall of Fame career. He led Miami to a Super Bowl in his second season, but never went back. Burrow took the Bengals to the Super Bowl in his second season, too.

 

The Dolphins were dogged for most of Marino’s career by subpar defenses and a poor running game. Burrow can relate. It's the story of the 2024 Bengals. He's been Marino-esque, playing at an MVP level. But this season is lost mostly because of a bad defense.

 

In 1993, Marino suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the fifth game. He later told the Miami Herald the injury was especially disappointing because he thought the Dolphins could've won the Super Bowl that season. Could Burrow say the same thing about the 2023 season when he suffered the season-ending wrist injury in mid-November? In retrospect, it's looking like that was the last chance for the core of the Bengals' 2021 Super Bowl team to run it back.

 

As for the point about Burrow restructuring his contract, it's way too early for that to be a serious discussion. Nor should Burrow consider it anytime soon, if ever. The talent-deprived defense isn't on him. I get your point, though. Patrick Mahomes has restructured his contract to free up cap space for the Kansas City Chiefs to sign players. But he plays for a franchise that's fully committed to sustaining excellence and winning a Super Bowl (again).

 

The Bengals are financially healthy and can afford to upgrade the roster. But the franchise is at a crossroads.

 

If the Bengals want to sustain championship-level success by investing so much into their quarterback and put the weight of the team on his shoulders, then the franchise has to change. It must drastically improve how it evaluates talent and start consistently drafting better. That requires spending money to staff an NFL-sized player personnel department. That also requires not cutting corners in free agency.

 

If those changes don't happen, then get used to hearing the Marino-Burrow comparison.

 

 

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/columnists/jason-williams/2024/11/25/joe-burrow-dan-marino-great-quarterback-no-nfl-super-bowl-lombardi-trophy/76572296007/

[claptonrocks]

35 minutes ago, Arkansas Bengal said:

Jason Williams

Cincinnati Enquirer

 

 

 

Ask columnist Jason Williams anything − sports or non-sports – and he’ll pick some of your questions and comments from his inbox and respond on Cincinnati.com. Email:jwilliams@enquirer.com

 

Subject: Is Joe Burrow the next Dan Marino?

 

Message: Joe Burrow is this generation’s Dan Marino. There’s him. There’s two great receivers (Mark Duper-Mark Clayton = Tee Higgins-Ja’Marr Chase). And then … What else did Marino really have during his career that differs from Burrow – except for a clear advantage (coach Don Shula) compared to the current Bengals at head coach?

 

Yes, it would be nice for the Bengals to do more around Burrow. How about Burrow in good faith start with a restructured contract? He deserves to share his voice. But he also has to acknowledge his contract probably isn’t helping things.

 

Reply: You’re among several inboxers who’ve made the Burrow-Marino comparison. It’s still early in Burrow’s career, but I understand fans don't like how things are trending.

 

Marino never won a Super Bowl during his incredible, 17-year Hall of Fame career. He led Miami to a Super Bowl in his second season, but never went back. Burrow took the Bengals to the Super Bowl in his second season, too.

 

The Dolphins were dogged for most of Marino’s career by subpar defenses and a poor running game. Burrow can relate. It's the story of the 2024 Bengals. He's been Marino-esque, playing at an MVP level. But this season is lost mostly because of a bad defense.

 

In 1993, Marino suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the fifth game. He later told the Miami Herald the injury was especially disappointing because he thought the Dolphins could've won the Super Bowl that season. Could Burrow say the same thing about the 2023 season when he suffered the season-ending wrist injury in mid-November? In retrospect, it's looking like that was the last chance for the core of the Bengals' 2021 Super Bowl team to run it back.

 

As for the point about Burrow restructuring his contract, it's way too early for that to be a serious discussion. Nor should Burrow consider it anytime soon, if ever. The talent-deprived defense isn't on him. I get your point, though. Patrick Mahomes has restructured his contract to free up cap space for the Kansas City Chiefs to sign players. But he plays for a franchise that's fully committed to sustaining excellence and winning a Super Bowl (again).

 

The Bengals are financially healthy and can afford to upgrade the roster. But the franchise is at a crossroads.

 

If the Bengals want to sustain championship-level success by investing so much into their quarterback and put the weight of the team on his shoulders, then the franchise has to change. It must drastically improve how it evaluates talent and start consistently drafting better. That requires spending money to staff an NFL-sized player personnel department. That also requires not cutting corners in free agency.

 

If those changes don't happen, then get used to hearing the Marino-Burrow comparison.

 

 

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/columnists/jason-williams/2024/11/25/joe-burrow-dan-marino-great-quarterback-no-nfl-super-bowl-lombardi-trophy/76572296007/

Burrow is putting up 30 per most times

Fix the defensive line to stall k ng opponent drives and he'll up it even more.

We may not have all these receivers next year but for now their s terror to opponents..

Can bey win 6 of 7?

Why not...

 

 

 

 

[esjbh2]

37 minutes ago, claptonrocks said:

Burrow is putting up 30 per most times

Fix the defensive line to stall k ng opponent drives and he'll up it even more.

We may not have all these receivers next year but for now their s terror to opponents..

Can bey win 6 of 7?

Why not...

 

 

6 of 7?  Aren't there only 6 games left on the schedule?  We're 4-7 in a 17 game schedule, right?  You counting a playoff game?

[-GoBengals-]

because the lazy media is worthless bums who instead of learning and discussing real football topics want to be dramatic queens for headlines...

 

looking at you moe eggar.

[|High School Harry|]

Jason Williams posts on this board using the handle Spicoli.

Or used to. 

[-GoBengals-]

On 11/26/2024 at 7:04 AM, High School Harry said:

Jason Williams posts on this board using the handle Spicoli.

Or used to. 

 

jason williams wears spiderman underwear and his mom does his laundry.

[claptonrocks]

On 11/26/2024 at 12:05 AM, esjbh2 said:

 

6 of 7?  Aren't there only 6 games left on the schedule?  We're 4-7 in a 17 game schedule, right?  You counting a playoff game?

My bad..5 of 6  and yeah a win or more in the playoffs if so 

 

[claptonrocks]

6 minutes ago, GoBengals said:

 

jason williams wears spiderman underwear and his mom does his laundry.

LOL. .