The Miami Dolphins are some of the historic franchises within the NFL.
With two Super Bowl titles, it is a franchise that has boasted quite a few big-time stars through the years. The 1972 workforce is especially notable, as it’s nonetheless the one workforce in league historical past to go undefeated, ending 14-0 within the common season and 17-0 together with the playoffs. This makes it particularly tough to reply the query: who’re the best gamers in workforce historical past?
FOX Sports Research took on the duty of answering that query, breaking down the numbers and rating the ten greatest Dolphins of all time.
While there are some apparent selections on the prime of the checklist, there are additionally some shocking names that made our checklist.
Where does your favourite dolphin slot in?
Let’s have a look:
10. Nick Buoniconti (1969-1976)
A key member of each of the Dolphins’ Super Bowl titles and a driving drive behind their famed “No Name Defense,” Nick Buoniconti performed 92 video games for Miami with 85 begins at center linebacker in seven seasons. He was named workforce MVP in three separate seasons, highlighted by his 1973 marketing campaign by which he set a franchise document 162 tackles. He was an eight-time All-AFL choice, a six-time AFL all-star, a two-time Pro Bowl choice and a two-time All-Pro choice. Buoniconti was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
9. Paul Warfield (1970-1974)
Despite solely spending 5 seasons in Miami, Paul Warfield’s contributions and affect on the Dolphins can’t be ignored. Don Shula jumped on the alternative to commerce for him in 1970, buying and selling the third decide within the draft to amass him. It paid off instantly, as Warfield scored 33 touchdowns from 1970 to 1974 and helped the Dolphins win two Super Bowls. His 20.1 yards per reception are the fourth-highest profession common in NFL historical past, and the two-time first-team All-Pro additionally earned eight Pro Bowl picks. Warfield was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
8. Jim Langer (1970-1979)
The beginning middle for each of the Dolphins’ Super Bowl titles, Jim Langer was signed as a free agent in 1970 and remained there for 10 years. He began as a guard and particular groups participant earlier than shifting to middle in 1972, occurring to play each offense in Miami’s excellent season. Langer performed 141 consecutive video games from 1972 to 1979 earlier than damage ended his streak. He was a six-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl choice and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
7. Dwight Stephenson (1980-1987)
Dwight Stephenson was thought of one of the best middle within the league throughout his eight-year profession within the Nineteen Eighties. He performed in 107 consecutive video games and began 80 consecutive video games earlier than the 1987 gamers’ strike ended his streak. Stephenson was the anchor of an offensive line that surrendered simply 97 sacks in six years from 1982 to 1987 – the fewest of any workforce throughout that interval – and in addition 80 fewer sacks than the subsequent greatest workforce (49ers with 177). . He was a five-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl choice, in addition to incomes the AFC or NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year in varied main polls in 4 separate seasons. Stephenson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
6. Zach Thomas (1997-2007)
One of one of the best center linebackers within the league throughout his 13-year profession, Zach Thomas spent 12 seasons in Miami and was the chief of the protection within the 2000s. His affect was felt instantly, as he received the AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1996 earlier than incomes seven All-Pro picks, together with seven Pro Bowl nominations. Thomas had greater than 100 tackles in every of his first 11 seasons and helped lead the Dolphins to the playoffs 5 consecutive years, from 1997 to 2001. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023.
5. Larry Little (1969-1980)
A mainstay at proper guard for the Dolphins, Larry Little was a dominant drive on an offensive line that led the way in which to a formidable 23,720 dashing yards in the course of the Nineteen Seventies, probably the most of any workforce throughout that span. The 1972 season was notably notable, as Little led a dashing assault that set a then-NFL document of two,960 dashing yards. He was named the NFL Players Association AFC Offensive Lineman of the Year 3 times from 1970 to 1972. Little was named to seven All-Pro groups and earned 5 Pro Bowl picks earlier than being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
4. Jason Taylor (1997-2007, 2009, 2011)
Taylor possible helped revolutionize the sting rusher place by making it extra athletic. His construct allowed him to turn out to be one of many recreation’s greatest pass-rushers within the 2000s, recording 100.5 sacks in an eight-year span between 2000 and 2007. He had an 18.5-sack season with the Dolphins in 2002 and a 13.5-sack season in 2006. In the 2006 season, he led the league in pick-sixes (two) and in pressured fumbles (9). Taylor has performed in six Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro honors 3 times in his profession, and is seventh all-time in sacks (139.5), fifth in pressured fumbles (46) and first in recoveries of fumbles returned for touchdowns (six) . He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
3. Bob Griese (1967-1980)
The sign caller for each of the Dolphins’ Super Bowl titles, Griese was chosen with the fourth total decide within the 1967 NFL Draft and spent his whole 14-year profession in Miami. From 1970 to 1979, he had a win-loss document of 81-34-1 (70.3%) – the third-highest profitable share of any quarterback throughout that span, behind solely Roger Staubach and Ken Stabler. In 14 seasons, he threw for 25,092 yards with 192 touchdowns and a profession passing ranking of 77.1, and in addition ran for 994 yards and 7 touchdowns. A two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl choice, Griese was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
2. Larry Csonka (1968-1974, 1979)
A strong fullback recognized for bursting by means of defenses, Larry Csonka was a key contributor for the Dolphins throughout their golden period. He ran for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons from 1971 to 1973, when Miami had a 36-5-1 document in these seasons, highlighted by a 14-0 season in 1972 that led to a Super Bowl title. The following yr, Csonka was instrumental of their quest to win back-to-back titles and capped it off by profitable Super Bowl MVP honors. He was a three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl choice and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
1. Dan Marino (1983-1999)
Although Dan Marino has by no means received a Super Bowl, he’s thought of some of the prolific passers in NFL historical past and is arguably the best Dolphin ever. Ahead of his time, in 1984 he grew to become the primary quarterback in league historical past to surpass 5,000 passing yards in a single season and in addition the primary to achieve 40 landing passes. He ranks within the prime 10 all-time in passing yards (61,361), passing touchdowns (420), wins (147) and completions (4,967). Marino led the Dolphins to the Super Bowl within the 1984 season, however they misplaced to Joe Montana’s 49ers. With an MVP to his title, three first-team All-Pro picks and 9 Pro Bowl nominations, Marino was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
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