Stabler Says It Was Right Move to Go to Left-Handed Marinovich

Ken Stabler, the last left-handed starting quarterback for the Raiders, was glad to see his former team give the job to Todd Marinovich.

“It was just a matter of time,” Stabler said Wednesday from his home in Mobile, Ala. “It’s what the fans wanted, it’s what the players wanted. I think they should have done it prior to the season.”

About the timing of the move, Stabler said: “Jay Schroeder didn’t cause the Raiders to lose (last Sunday against Cincinnati), but they did lose. That’s the bottom line.”

Comparisons between Stabler and Marinovich are inevitable.

“It might be a little unfair to compare him to me at this stage of his career, but, sure, I see the similarities,” said Stabler, now an analyst on TNT’s NFL pregame shows on Sunday nights.

“Marinovich is a gunslinger, just like I was. I think he’s going to be their quarterback for a long time, as long as they put good players around him.

“When I played, I had a great supporting cast--a great offensive line, receivers like Fred Biletnikoff, Cliff Branch, Dave Casper and a hard-nosed fullback (Mark van Eeghen).”

Stabler said he has yet to meet Marinovich but hopes to soon. “I’d love to get the chance to talk shop with him,” he said.

Marinovich probably wouldn’t mind. Stabler has long been his idol and was the reason he chose to wear No. 12 with the Raiders after wearing No. 13 at USC.

Marinovich’s father, Marv, played for the Raiders in 1965. Stabler played for the Raiders from 1970 through ’79.