ProFootballTalk.com's Top 25 In 25

No. 9 Dan Marino.

When we first started compiling our list of the best 25 players in the NFL over the past 25 years, we envisioned Dan Marino in the top five.  The flamethrower from Pitt broke every passing record in the books, and he was in his day the best ball-thrower in the league, bar none.

But the lack of a Super Bowl win, and only one Super Bowl appearance, caused Marino to slide down the list in comparison to other all-time greats who have laced up the cleats since 1983.

Still, Marino was one of the best ever.  Passed over by most NFL teams in the 1983 draft, Marino fell to the Fins and quickly made a tremendous impact.  His sophomore season was beyond stellar; he threw for 48 touchdowns and more than 5,000 yards on his way to the NFL MVP award.

But he never could quite re-create the magic of 1984.  Though he continued to be one of the best quarterbacks in the game, he peaked (in hindsight) far too soon.

To make it into the top ten of such a stellar list is a tremendous accomplishment; with one or two rings, he might have been in the top three.  As it stands, however,  the lack of a Lombardi leaves Marino behind the eight guys whose names will be revealed over the next week.

Click here for No. 8.