Wide receiver Paul Warfield wasn’t just a Miami Dolphin. The receiver actually spent the majority of his professional career with the Cleveland Browns — 8 of his 13 seasons, to be exact. But Warfield’s best days came as a Dolphin. Throughout 5 seasons in Miami, Warfield played in three Super Bowls, won two, was named to five Pro Bowls and was twice named an All-Pro.
That’s a pretty darn good half a decade. And so when the NFL announced that Warfield was among the wide receivers included in the NFL 100 all-time roster, it was a Miami Dolphins uniform Warfield sported in the graphic. Rightfully so.
Wide receivers on the #NFL100 All-Time Team. Who'd we leave off? (And who are you taking off to get that player on?) pic.twitter.com/ohwRv7kuep
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) December 21, 2019
To his credit, Warfield’s recognition and honor would have been well deserved no matter what. The receiver was one of the most potent offensive weapons of the 1970s, averaging 20.1 yards per reception over 13 NFL seasons. Warfield’s career featured 85 receiving touchdowns between his time in Cleveland and Miami and eventually landed him a spot in Canton as an enshrined member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Miami is running slim on additional candidates to be honored. The team honored head coach Don Shula with the coaches. Could this team also included the man before his time in Dan Marino? He’s the only option left for the Dolphins.
Playing to Marino’s favor is how heavily skewed the all-time roster has been to date with players no longer in the playing field. Of all those who have passed Marino in the all-time passing record books, many haven’t called it a career yet. Tom Brady will claim a spot as an active player. Recently retired Peyton Manning will as well. If the NFL 100 roster only have 5 spots for quarterbacks, Marino may be in trouble — the roster will still need to find spots for Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas and potentially others.
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