Marino Gets A New Deal
Jimmy Johnson secured a quarterback Tuesday to implement his plan for winning the Super Bowl by 1998.
The name may be familiar: Dan Marino.
Johnson and the Miami Dolphins signed the most prolific passer in NFL history to a three-year contract reportedly worth $17.73 million.
“I felt very comfortable with my performance over the last few years and felt I have a lot of good years left,” Marino said at a news conference. “I’m excited about playing for coach Johnson and winning the Super Bowl.”
Marino, who broke league career passing records last season for touchdowns, yardage and completions, has yet to win a championship. He turns 35 in September.
“As important a contract as this is for Dan and the Dolphins, it’s just as important for me,” Johnson said. “One of my reasons for accepting the job as coach of the Dolphins was Dan Marino. Because of his talents, we have the ability to win it all.”
The deal through 1998 will pay Marino an average of $5.91 million per season. Denver quarterback John Elway last week signed a five-year, $29.5 million contract ($5.90 million per season).
Marino had one year remaining on his current contract, which was to pay him $4.45 million in 1996.
Last year, Marino threw for 3,668 yards and 24 touchdowns despite missing two games with an injury.
Seahawks sign CWU star
The Seattle Seahawks have signed Central Washington University quarterback Jon Kitna to a free-agent contract, the university announced.
Kitna, who led CWU to a share of the 1995 NAIA Division II national title, signed Sunday night. Terms were not disclosed.
Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson had considered Kitna in the final round of the NFL draft before choosing Florida defensive end Johnie Church.
“They are the team I wanted to be with all the time,” said Kitna, a 1991 graduate of Lincoln High School in Tacoma.
Kitna was Central’s quarterback for four seasons. He is the all-time NAIA career total offense leader with 12,907 yards, and he ranks second on the all-time passing list with 12,353 yards. He holds or shares 41 school records, 24 Columbia Football Association records and six NAIA Division II records.
Congressional action possible
Cleveland’s deal to keep the name Browns while giving up - for now - its NFL team hasn’t dimmed Congress’ interest in blocking franchise free agency.
Legislation seeking to change the law governing professional sports teams is in line for action today by the House Judiciary Committee.
At issue is whether Congress should change federal antitrust law in response to completed or proposed moves of the NFL’s Rams, Raiders, Browns, Seahawks and Oilers.
Frazier’s career on hold
Tommie Frazier, the quarterback who led Nebraska to consecutive national titles only to be snubbed by the NFL, could be on blood-thinning medication for up to a year, his doctor said.
Frazier told Lincoln (Neb.) television station KOLN he has decided to take this year off and give the NFL another shot next year.
Frazier missed much of the 1994 season after doctors found blood clots in his right leg. After playing last season, he was hospitalized on Feb. 26 with another clot in his leg.