THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO -- He's not sure if the NFL is coming to Toronto, but there's no doubt in Dan Marino's mind whether a franchise could flourish in Ontario's capital.

"I've been here many times and it's a fun place, I don't see why it wouldn't work," Marino said. "I could see the problem with having Buffalo right there.

"But as far as the size of the city and the people and having NFL fans, I think it would work."

The long-time Miami Dolphins star quarterback was in town to preview the 2008 NFL season -- which begins Thursday night with the Super Bowl-champion New York Giants facing the Washington Redskins -- as well as help with NFL Canada's annual live fantasy draft and the Special Olympics Canada Foundation.

Marino said Special Olympics is an organization that's close to his heart. The Dan Marino Foundation also helps thousands of children with chronic illness and developmental disabilities.

"Any time you can help a child somehow, be it with Special Olympics or whatever it is, to change their life in a positive way, I'm all for that," he said. "Any time you can help kids and make a difference, it's near and dear to my heart."

The NFL coming to Toronto has been a hot button topic since June 2007 when Ralph Wilson, the 90-year-old owner of the Bills, said he had no intention of selling the team during his lifetime or leaving it to either his wife or daughters upon his death. In other words, the franchise would be available to the highest bidder, opening the door for a Toronto-based group headed up by communications mogul Ted Rogers and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum to purchase the team and relocate it to southern Ontario.

Talk of that happening reached a fever pitch in the off-season when the Bills announced they'd be playing eight games over the next five years (five regular-season contests, three exhibition) at Rogers Centre. The series kicked off last month with Buffalo facing Pittsburgh in an exhibition game and will also include a regular-season contest Dec. 7 against arch-rival Miami.

Club officials have maintained the games in Canada will help sustain the team's viability in Buffalo by regionalizing its brand in North America's fifth-largest marketplace and thus make the Bills more financially competitive.

However, many football pundits believe the initiative is the first step in the Bills eventually re-locating to Toronto.

Marino, who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in '05 after spending his entire 17-year career with Miami, was non-committal about whether he thinks the Bills would eventually move to Toronto.

"Like I said, there's no doubt Toronto could handle an NFL team," he said. "It would be way out of my judgement to say if that's going to happen or not.

"I would guarantee you that if Buffalo wasn't right here, they'd probably have a team already.".

.From 1983 to '99, Marino was a big part of the heated rivalry that exists between Miami and Buffalo. However, one of the most prolific passers in NFL history wouldn't want to see Toronto secure a franchise at the expense of Western New York.

"It would hurt," he said of the prospect of the Bills leaving Buffalo. "Listen, I played many years in Buffalo and there are so many good people there and will always be good people there.

"(Former Bills starter) Jim Kelly is a dear friend. You don't ever want to see a city lose a franchise, especially one with the history that a team like the Buffalo Bills has with going to all those Super Bowls. Hopefully that won't happen.".

Marino, who turns 47 on Sept, 15, says he can understand why the Bills would want to incorporate Toronto and southern Ontario's solid corporate base into its regionalization plan.

"That's just good marketing," he said. "It's good business.

"To be able to market the team from Buffalo here in Canada is an awesome opportunity for them."

Marino, who has been a football analyst with CBS since 2002, endured many a miserable day at Orchard Park, N.Y., in December, where the cold, windy and frigid conditions always gave the Bills a distinct home-field advantage. However, the Dolphins won't have concern themselves with the weather in Toronto playing in the domed Rogers Centre.

A bigger concern, though, will be contending with a Bills team Marino believes is on the rise. Miami, meanwhile, is in rebuilding mode after posting a dismal 1-15 record last season.

"They have a long way to go," Marino said of the Dolphins. "But I do think they'll be a better football team."

Marino was Miami's first-round pick in '83, the last quarterback of the legendary Class of '83 to be selected in the first round. The others were John Elway, Todd Blackledge, Kelly, Tony Eason and Ken O'Brien.

Marino was the most prolific passer in NFL history with 61,361 and 420 touchdowns until being surpassed by longtime Green Bay star Brett Favre (61,655 yards, 422 touchdowns). However, Marino, who played his college football at Pitt, will forever be remembered for having a strong passing arm and lightning-quick release.

In 1984, Marino set single-season NFL records for touchdown passes (48), completions (362), and yards (5,084). He guided Miami to the Super Bowl that year, but his dream season ended with a heart-breaking 38-16 loss to San Francisco. It would be the only time Marino, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, would participate in the league's marquee game.

"What I'm most proud of is having been able to play the game I love for 17 years," he said.