It’s a Game of Contrasts in Marino, Kosar

Miami Coach Don Shula doesn’t see much similarity in the styles of quarterbacks Dan Marino of the Dolphins and Bernie Kosar of the Cleveland Browns, although the results are sometimes the same.

The contrasting styles will be on view tonight when Marino leads the Dolphins into Cleveland Stadium against Kosar’s Browns.

“Dan has the quick release,” Shula said. “Kosar is much more deliberate.”

Kosar’s quarterback ranking of 89.7 was good for fourth in the American Football Conference entering the weekend’s games. Marino led the NFL in completions (189), attempts (328), passing yards (2,546) and touchdown passes (21), but his 15 interceptions have hurt his ranking (84.7), fifth in the conference.

“That’s going to happen when you’re throwing the ball a bunch,” Marino said. “I don’t really worry about it.”

The Dolphins haven’t much room for error. At 4-5, they have only a slim chance of catching the first-place New York Jets in the AFC East.

The Browns (6-3) have won five of their last six games and have a half-game lead over the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Central.