The Best, Worst, and Unsung of the Miami Dolphins

     I kind of wanted to take a look at the history of sports and each team to determine who is their best and worst of all time. Every team has that one player that is head and shoulders above every one else. That one player that is the heart and soul of the team but never gets enough national recognition. Players that come in through the draft or free agency that seriously disappoint. And that one guy who's talent doesn't match his ego or his paycheck. Of course I'm going to start with my teams and if I get the gumption I may branch out to some of the others, For now though, lets take a look at the Miami Dolphins.

                             Best of All Time--- Dan Marino

 
     Like there would ever be another person in this spot. This pick was so obvious that I almost didn't even bother with it. He not only is he the greatest Miami Dolphin of all time arguments could be made for Dan being the greatest NFL quarterback of all time. When he retired from the game he held nearly every passing record, both career and single season, in the NFL. 15 years later and he still holds multiple records some that may never be broken. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2005 on his first ballot and has since had his number retired and been inducted into the Miami Dolphins Ring of Honor. Some of his records have been passed because of the fact the NFL is a passing league now with rules favoring the wide receiver and quarterback. It is frightening to think how high Dan would have set the records if he played in todays NFL.

                            Worst of All Time--- Jackie Shipp

     Certain criteria needs to be met here. The player needed to be a first round draft pick, needed to play a minimum of 5 seasons and needed to be put in a significant roll with the team. For those reasons people like Ted Ginn Jr. John Avery, Chad Henne, and so many countless others that could very well get the mantle won't because that would just make this to easy. Jackie Shipp on the other hand was drafted #14 over all in the 1984 draft. He started 41 games over 5 seasons for the Dolphins and had 1 sack and 1 interception and 0 tackles. The Dolphins were so happy to have him that they called the media into their draft room to watch a tape of Shipp from his workout. For a team to be that high on a guy and have him a starter for 3 years you would expect him to have more than 0 tackles.

                  Biggest Draft Bust of All Time--- Ted Ginn Jr

     While it would have been very easy to just give this honor to Jackie Shipp he was at least a very solid draft pick That the team and fans were high on. He just never translated his game to the NFL. Also it would be easy to go with Cecil Collins or Yatil Green or any other of the countless draft picks that never even saw the field I had a couple criteria 1. They needed to be a first round pick. 2. They needed to play for the team at least 2 years 3. They needed to have been given a fair shot to succeed. That last one is the reason why Dion Jordan is not on this list. Yes he was taken 3rd overall, yes he has been in the league more than 2 years, No he was never given a legitimate chance to succeed by Joe Philben who made it no secret that he wasn't wanted on the team. When Dion Jordan was on the field he was an absolute beast the problem is, like Lamar Miller, he was never given enough time on the field to really make an impact. Ted Ginn Jr., on the other hand, Does meet all those criteria Not only was he taken #9 overall in the 2007 draft, he was also made the #1 receiver on the team, and played exactly 3 years with Miami before they got fed up with his underwhelming play and shipped him off to the 49ers. While in Miami he had 128 receptions, 1664 yards and 5 touchdowns. Looking at those numbers it's a bit deceiving while they are decent numbers over a 3 year period for a number 3 receiver they are no where near good enough for a number 1. Brandon Marshal had numbers like that in one year. I will give credit where credit is due. He was an astonishing return man that actually holds a dolphin return record by scoring two kick off return touchdowns  in a single season in 2009. The only problem is a great return man is fine but for a first round draft pick unless you are named Devin Hester you need to perform in other aspects as well

    Most Underrated of All Time--- Zach Thomas

        It is really difficult to call one of the NFL's elite underrated but the fact that he isn't in the Hall of Fame yet proves that he was. Zach Thomas may be the smartest middle linebacker to ever play the game. Peyton Manning once said that he hated playing against Thomas because ever time he would change a call he would look across to Zach and see that he was changing the defense to match what Peyton was doing. Thomas was a generational type player who was the heart and soul of the Miami Defense for 12 years and it is a shame that Bill Parcels and Tony Sporano just let him go because he didn't fit their plans. If there was ever a player that deserved to be a life time Dolphin it was Zach Thomas and his 1720 total tackles through out his career prove that.

       Biggest Free Agent Bust of All Time- Mike Wallace

     When Mike Wallace was a free agent there were to trains of thought. 1. he was a malcontent who couldn't get along with other players, which was why Pittsburgh was so willing to give up on him. 2. he was a corvette in his prime. There were people that couldn't understand how a player with his talent just entering the prime of his career was allowed to be a free agent. The Dolphins Threw $60 million at him and quickly realized that the first portrayal of him was closer to the truth. There is no doubt that He was a very talented receiver but he got off on the wrong foot in Miami. After his debut game where he had 1 catch for 15 yards he pouted and refused to talk to the Media. He essentially blamed his coaching staff by saying it wasn't his game plan. Things just got worse from there, He never developed chemistry with Ryan Tannehill, In two years he never led the Dolphins in receptions and he quit on his team. most notably in refusing to go out in the second half of his final game in Miami. At least the Dolphins were able to get him off the books after only 2 years with the team and receive a 5th round pick from the Vikings for him. 

      Best Free Agent Signing of All Time--- Earl Morrall

Earl Morrall won the 1968 league MVP when he led the Baltimore Colts to a 13-1 record.but lost in the Super Bowl to the Jets. In 1972 the Dolphins claimed him off of waivers for $100. this obviously was years before free agency officially started but since it wasn't a trade I think it qualifies. As a Dolphin people forget that the 72 perfect season would never have happened with out him. Earl Morrall played and won 11 of the 17 games for the Dolphins that year and played 5 total years backing up Hall Of Famer Bob Griese.



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