Top 30 NFL players of the 1980s

Top 30 NFL Players of the 1980s

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 30: Lawrence Taylor #56 of the New York Giants in action against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game September 30, 1990 at The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Taylor played for the Giants from 1981-93. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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MIAMI, : Miami Dolphins quarter back Dan Marino throws a pass during 4th quarter action against the Denver Broncos 21 December at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. Marino tossed four touchdown passes in their win 31-21 and clinched a wild card playoff berth. AFP PHOTO RHONA WISE (Photo credit should read RHONA WISE/AFP via Getty Images) /

5. Dan Marino

Marino was easily the most talented quarterback of his day, and the numbers he put up were unheard of in the 1980s. In 1984, the former first round pick out of Pitt threw for 5,084 yards and 48 touchdowns, both NFL records at the time that stood for over 20 years a piece. In that day and age, that was the equivalent of someone throwing for 6,000 yards and 60 touchdowns in today’s NFL- he was simply out of this world.

Unlike his Super Bowl XIX counterpart, Joe Montana, Marino didn’t have all the flashy weapons on offense or defense. While Montana was throwing to Jerry Rice and John Taylor, Marino was throwing to Mark Clayton and Mark Duper. Both were good receivers, but not on the same level as the talent in San Francisco.

At the time of his retirement following the 1999 season, Marino held nearly every passing record there was to hold. While he never got that elusive Super Bowl win, he is still undoubtedly one of the greatest to ever play the position. Marino was a nine-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. The 1984 MVP was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

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