Tag: Don Shula

Flashback Friday 1994 wild-card round: Dolphins vs Chiefs

Flashback to the last time Miami faced Kansas City in the wild-card round.

With the Miami Dolphins set to square off against the Kansas City Chiefs this Saturday in the playoffs, it may cause some feelings of déjà vu, as this isn’t the first time that these two teams matched up in the wild-card round.

The last time these teams faced each other on wild-card weekend was in 1994 on New Year’s Eve. The 10-6 Dolphins, coached by Don Shula, hosted the 9-7 Chiefs, coached by Marty Shottenheimer.

The Chiefs’ offense opened the game firing on all cylinders, as Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen set the tone, making plays in both the run and pass game. Kansas City quarterback Joe Montana completed all six of his passes, finishing the opening drive with a touchdown pass to tight end Derrick Walker.

It didn’t take long for the Dolphins offense to answer the call. Quarterback Dan Marino and running back Bernie Parmalee sparked an 11-play, 72-yard drive resulting in a touchdown run by Parmalee to tie the game 7-7.

It took the Chiefs just four plays to regain the lead with Montana finding running back Kimble Anders on a short route which Anders took the rest of the way for a 57-yard touchdown, putting Kansas City back on top 14-7. The teams traded field goals on the ensuing drives to make the score 17-10 in Kansas City’s favor midway through the second quarter.

With just over six minutes left in the half, Marino led the offense on an 80-yard drive to even the score. Marino worked his magic against the Kansas City defense. From the goal line, he found tight end Ronnie Williams for a one-yard touchdown to tie the game 17-17 going into halftime.

This game had the makings of an offensive shootout, as neither team punted in the first half. However, the second half was a different story.

The Dolphins received to start the second half, and Marino wasted no time putting his team on top for the first time. It took just a couple of plays for Marino and the offense to drive into the Chiefs’ red zone and score another touchdown, as Marino threw his second touchdown pass of the day, this time to receiver Irving Fryar. Miami had their first lead of the game at 24-17. The Dolphins earned one more field goal to extend their lead to 27-17.

After struggling in the first half, the Miami defense pitched a shutout the entire third quarter. The fourth quarter featured two game-clinching turnovers by the Dolphins defense.

The final quarter began with the Chiefs driving into the Miami red zone. The Kansas City offense was desperate for points after being stagnant in the third quarter. On a first-down play from the Dolphins 5-yard line, a rare mistake by Montana on a slant route resulted in an interception by Miami cornerback J.B. Brown.

After a quick three-and-out forced by the Chiefs’ defense, Montana and the offense had another chance to get back in the game. The Chiefs once again looked poised for another drive into Miami territory. However, that drive was halted when Miami linebacker Michael Stewart stripped the ball out of Allen’s hands for a forced fumble turnover.

The Dolphins maintained the lead to win the game 27-17 with neither team scoring any points in the fourth quarter. Marino finished the game with 257 yards and two touchdowns and a 125.2 passer rating.

It was the second playoff matchup between the two of the best quarterbacks of all time. The first time Marino and Montana matched up in the playoffs was Super Bowl 19 when Montana’s 49ers convincingly defeated Marino’s Dolphins 38-16. This wild-card matchup evened up the playoff series between the two legends. It would also be the final game of Monatan’s legendary career.

How 12 football head coaches fared as the replacements for legends like Bill Belichick and Nick Saban

Who replaced Bear Bryant, Don Shula and John Madden and how did they do?

During one of the craziest weeks of football in recent memory, we saw the end of an era for legends like Bill Belichick and Nick Saban.

Belichick, 71, and Saban, 72, are easily two of the greatest coaches that the sport has ever seen. Next season, college football will look very different without Saban coaching Alabama. Meanwhile, the NFL will also look very different without Belichick coaching the Patriots.

Both teams will have huge decisions about how to fill these massive shoes. While there are some interesting candidates for the gig in New England and the job in Tuscaloosa, can either live up to the reputation that Belichick and Saban built?

We looked back at some of the most legendary coaches in football history, both in the NFL and in college football, to learn how these replacements have typically fared.

The results are a fairly mixed bag but if there is one thing we learned, it is that it is not easy to replace someone as accomplished as either of these two Hall of Fame-caliber coaches.

Bill Belichick comments on attempt to break Don Shula’s record

This was such a Bill Belichick response.

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has always been more of an in-the-moment kind of coach. He focuses on the task at hand, while swatting down any mention of future or past glory.

That’s why it came off as surprising that he even needed to walk back his “last 25 years” comment at the recent NFL annual meeting.

So it was a typical Belichick response at LSU’s Pro Day on Wednesday, when swatting down the subject of him potentially surpassing legendary coach Don Shula for most wins as an NFL head coach.

“I have a great respect for the game and all that, [but] I’m not really focused on that right now,” said Belichick, per the Boston Globe’s Jim McBride. “The 2023 season is all I’m concerned about.”

Belichick is currently ranked in second with 329 career wins, while Shula tops all coaches with 347 victories.

Wins might be harder to come by considering the AFC East is now arguably the best division in football. But Belichick is clearly knocking at the door at establishing himself as the winningest coach in NFL history, whether he wants to admit or not.

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Gator great Emmitt Smith talks about when he tried to become a Dolphin

Smith going to Miami would have changed the childhoods of a LOT of football fans.

One fun mental exercise that sports fans like to play is, “What if?” For example, “What if X athlete had played for Y team during their career?” is a common query when it comes to the best that each respective sport had to offer over the years.

Recently, Gator great and NFL Hall of Fame running back [autotag]Emmitt Smith[/autotag] made a guest appearance on “The Pivot” podcast with Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder, and told the gang about the time he almost became a member of the Miami Dolphins.

Coming off a campaign that saw him lead the league with 1,713 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground in 1992 plus an NFL title — good enough for third in the Most Valuable Player vote — Smith had difficulties seeing eye-to-eye with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on a new contract. Additionally, he had a month to pursue other offers but none materialized.

Then, one of the best to ever put on a helmet took matters into his own hands.

“I picked up the phone and called Don Shula myself and told him I wanted to come to Miami and play for Miami,” Smith said. “Because I knew Dan Marino didn’t have a running game.”

“I want to help you and help Dan get a championship,” Smith offered to Shula. “I said, ‘Bring me back to the state of Florida.’ He said, ‘Well, I don’t know if I could make that offer.’ He said, ‘If I do make this offer and you don’t come, all my other players will see what I put on the table for you and it’s going to mess up my chemistry.’ ”

Smith’s response was he wanted Shula to “just put something on the table” that would make Cowboys owner Jerry Jones say, “I cannot match it.”

Still, Smith said, Shula wouldn’t budge: “I can’t do that.”

Smith was incredulous.

“I said to myself, ‘Really?’ ”

The rest, as they say, is history. Dan Marino and the Dolphins never got their ring while Smith went on to earn both the regular-season and Super Bowl MVP awards the next season, adding two more Lombardi Trophies to the Cowboys’ cabinet during his tenure. Marino only had a single 1,000-yard running back behind him in all his years in Miami — Karim Abdul-Jabbar, who had 1,116 yards in 1996.

Over his 15-year NFL career, Smith amassed NFL records with 18,355 yards rushing along with 164 touchdowns (19 in the postseason). He was the AP Rookie of the Year in 1990 and finished third in the MVP vote twice in addition to his 1993 award.

Makes one wonder what would have happened if Shula had obliged.

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Remembering Washington’s first Super Bowl win part 2

Some of the numbers from Washington’s Super Bowl triumph over Miami 40 years ago.

Jan. 30, 1983 (40-year anniversary), the Washington Redskins won their first Super Bowl championship, defeating the Miami Dolphins 27-17 in Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.

This week Commanders Wire will take several looks at that first Washington Super Bowl Championship victory.

Part one

Game Highlights

Remembering some of the numbers of Super Bowl XVII:

The Dolphins, having routed the Jets 28-0 in the AFC championship, were a 3-point favorite.

Washington entered the game 11-1, while Miami was 10-2.

Miami’s head coach Don Shula was coaching in his 5th Super Bowl, while Joe Gibbs was only in his first season of playoff competition.

When Washington pulled even 10-10 late in the half, the Redskins then gave up Fulton Walker’s 98-yard kickoff return putting Miami up 17-10.

Washington absolutely shut down the Miami offense, outscoring the Dolphins 17-0 in the second half for their 27-17 win.

Washington took its first lead (20-17) in the final quarter when John Riggins ran for 43-yard touchdown.

Many actually forget, but Washington drove again and scored when Joe Theismann rolled right and found Charlie Brown from six yards for the final 27-17 margin.

The Redskins defense held the Dolphins to a mere 9 first downs and 176 total yards from scrimmage.

Washington pounded the Dolphins on the ground all day, rushing 52 times for 276 yards, 166 by John Riggins, voted Super Bowl MVP.

John Riggins’ 38 rushing carries remains a Super Bowl game record.

John Riggins’ 166 rushing yards set a new Super Bowl game record. It has since been surpassed by Marcus Allen (191) in SB XVIII and Timmy Smith (204) SB XXII.

The Washington defense rattled Miami QB David Woodley that with the exception of his 76-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Cefalo, Woodley completed a mere 3 of 13 passes for 21 yards.

John Riggins’ run of 43 yards was actually not the longest Washington rush of the day. In the third quarter, Joe Theismann handed to John Riggins, running to his right, who then handed to Alvin Garrett, coming back to the left. Garrett gained 44 yards on the play.

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Dolphins Challenge Cancer event rides in February

The initiative raised over $8 million in 2022.

The Miami Dolphins have a rich tradition of football success, having gone to five Super Bowls, winning two and being unbeaten during their 1972 championship run. In a sport and world where nothing is ever “perfect,” the Dolphins’ organization can refute that.

Along with the past accolades, trophies and 10 players/coaches in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Dolphins organization has always been a leader in football and sport in philanthropy.

When legendary coach Don Shula came to South Florida in 1970, he brought more than his football IQ and “12-minute run.” He brought an aspect of community and charity to Miami and football overall, as he was integral in many foundations and philanthropic efforts.

Taking a hand-off from coach Shula, even decades later, has been the Dolphins’ efforts recently in their Football Unites program, their Salute to Service initiatives and their work with the Junior Dolphins program.

However, 13 years ago, the Dolphins created one of their most impactful initiatives yet – Dolphins Challenge Cancer. The signature initiative of the Miami Dolphins Foundation since 2010, the DCC has contributed more than $53 million to cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. The DCC stands as the largest fundraising event in the NFL and represents the largest known philanthropic pledge in all professional sports.

“We are incredibly grateful for the amazing partnership we have with the Miami Dolphins,” said Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., Director of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and holder of the Oscar de la Renta Endowed Chair in Cancer Research. “The extraordinary vision of the Dolphins organization to come alongside Sylvester and raise millions of dollars annually for impactful cancer research has allowed us to discover and provide innovative, life-saving treatments for so many in our community.”

Cancer is a plague that’s directly or indirectly affected far too many and is a topic close to home here as well as for many around the world. There’s no discrimination, age, gender or religious bias with the disease, and what the Dolphins have done is help combat this with their community.

This community has individuals who have dedicated portions of their life, if not their sole driving motivator, to help the Dolphins do their part in the hopeful eradication of this disease.

The money raised by the DCC comes from efforts within the foundation, as well as an amazing community of Dolphins fans who get on their bikes and/ or support others in their rides, to raise as much money as possible.

Players, past and present, coaches, employees of the organization and many amazing fans decked out in orange and aqua riding gear are preparing for the annual event. The DCC XIII is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, and will feature a cycling, running and walking event led by its iconic 100-mile ride.

One of the riders who has been a champion of this foundation and event is Lisa Siegel. Recently featured as one of the Faces of the DCC, Siegel has helped raise money with her avid cycling and unparalleled social media support.

Siegel has always been a die-hard Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes fan, and her ties to both organizations run in her family. Her father began working at the University of Miami in 1966, and she followed in her dad’s footsteps, as she’s worked for the university since 1989.

Her connection to the DCC deepened when her mom was diagnosed with stage IV Ovarian Cancer. Siegel lost her mother just 17 days after she was admitted to the hospital.

“Without setbacks, there are no comebacks,” she said. It has been her mission to carry on her mother’s legacy at every Dolphins Challenge Cancer, and what she’s done is inspirational and admirable and has surely made her family proud.

Siegel is proud of her participation and always wears her DCC gear to bring attention and awareness to the event.

“It’s a great conversation piece and people are constantly telling me that they love my jersey, and where did I get it,” she stated.

Siegel is one of the many who have helped grow this foundation and initiative from raising $533,106 in 2010 with 411 participants, to a massive $8,412,556 in 2022, with more than 10-fold the number of participants from its inaugural ride.

“This is a big win for everyone in the community and we are grateful to the numerous supporters of DCC 12 who came together to raise this incredible contribution. These $8.4 million will directly affect Sylvester’s efforts to thrive as a lifesaving cancer center,” Miami Dolphins Challenge Cancer Executive Director Javier Sanchez said. “Hosting another successful and record-breaking DCC is an honor for the Miami Dolphins, and we are eager to see the South Florida community for DCC XIII at Hard Rock Stadium on February 25, 2023.”

Collectively, the DCC riders have pedaled over one million miles in the journey to beat cancer.

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Top photos from Eagles 32-21 loss to the Commanders on Monday Night Football

Looking at the top 100 photos from the Philadelphia Eagles 32-21 loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 10

The Washington Commanders stunned the Eagles 32-21 on Monday night, sending them to their first loss in nine games this season.

Philadelphia turned the ball over four times, and their NFC East rivals held the football for almost 45 minutes as the Birds repeatedly stumbled, unable to snatch the momentum back from a tough Commanders team.

Here are the top photos from Monday night’s shocking defeat.

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Remembering 2 great Washington teams

The 2022 season is the 50-year anniversary of the 1972 team and 40-year anniversary of the 1982 team.

The season opener of 2022 Commanders’ season recalls great historical memories of a once great franchise.

50 years ago, the 1972 Washington Redskins became the first team in franchise history to play in a Super Bowl.

40 years ago, the 1982 Washington Redskins became the first team in franchise history to win a Super Bowl.

While we will continue to provide daily coverage of the present-day Washington Commanders during this 2022 NFL season, we at Commanders Wire have determined we must not forget the great years and accomplishments in Washington franchise history.

Consequently, during this season, we will provide a weekly look back at some of the great moments of these two great seasons in Washington NFL football history.

Did you know the George Allen teams (1971-77) had a winning record each season and were in the playoffs for five of those seven seasons? Keep in mind in those days, only the top four teams in the conference qualified for the playoffs.

The 1972 team despite losing quarterback Sonny Jurgensen (who was 4-0 as a starter) went on a 9-game winning streak, clinching the division after 12 games (11-1).

With the home-field advantage earned for the playoffs, Washington defeated NFC Central champ Green Bay 16-3 and then defending Super Bowl Champion Dallas 26-3 in the NFC Championship game. Two weeks later in the Los Angeles Coliseum, Washington lost to Miami 14-7 in Super Bowl VII. The Dolphins were undefeated (17-0) and remain the last NFL team to go through the regular season and playoffs undefeated.

Ten years later Joe Gibbs (like George Allen) was also in his second season as Washington head coach. In a strike-shortened season, the Redskins finished the regular season at 8-1, the top seed in the NFC.

The playoff birth was the first for Washington since the 1976 team coached by Allen. With home-field advantage, the Redskins blitzed the Lions 31-7 and the next week were in control, defeating the Vikings 21-7.

The NFC Championship game (as ten years earlier) would have Dallas come to RFK. Also as a decade earlier, it was Washington who again came out on top, defeating Dallas 31-17.

The next week at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, Gibbs’ team (11-1) faced Don Shula’s Dolphins (10-3) in Super Bowl XVII. Trailing 17-10 in the second quarter, the Redskins outscored the Dolphins 17-0 for the remainder of the battle for a 27-17 victory and the first Super Bowl Championship in franchise history.

 

 

A Father’s Day Weekend look at father-son duos in Dolphins’ history

It’s more common than you might think.

Although the Miami Dolphins are on a little bit of a hiatus until training camp begins in July, this weekend is one of celebration and honor of all the fathers out there. While the action is paused, it’s a good time to reflect on some of the Dolphin duos of dad and son. 

 

There have been three father-son coaching tandems in Dolphins’ history. The most recent was offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn, who coached alongside his father, Jim Washburn, in 2016. The elder Washburn served as senior defensive assistant/pass-rush specialist in the same year. 

 

Earlier, and most notable, both Dave Shula (1982-88) and Mike Shula (1991-92, 2000-02) coached under their father, Don. Tony Sparano Jr. spent one season (2011) under his father, Tony Sparano, who was head coach of the Dolphins from 2008-11. 

 

As for the guys on the field, in 2005, defensive tackle Randy Crowder (1974-76) and linebacker Channing Crowder (2005-10) became the third father-son combination to play for the Dolphins in franchise history. 

 

They joined the Barbers, linebacker Rudy (1968) and fullback Kantroy (1999), and the Grieses, quarterbacks Bob (1967-80) and Brian (2003). 

 

The Crowders were the first father-son tandem to both be drafted by the Dolphins, as Randy was taken in the sixth round in 1974, and Channing was selected in the third round in 2005. 

You can find Channing still embedded in the Dolphins community as well as the South Florida sports world. He’s a co-host on a local radio show called “Hochman & Crowder,” and he co-hosts “The Pivot” as well. Crowder is also a popular guest on the fan-favorite podcast, “The Fish Tank.”

In addition, quarterback George Wilson Jr. played with the Dolphins in 1966, the team’s inaugural season, under his father, George Sr., who was the team’s head coach.

 

On behalf of all the Dolphin dads out there, have a “perfect” Father’s Day fellas.

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Flashback Friday: Dolphins 1972 perfect team celebrates 50th anniversary

It’s a special anniversary for a perfect team.

On this first Friday of April, following a momentous month of March in Miami, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the Dolphins’ banner accomplishment – the 1972 undefeated season.

It was 50 years ago that head coach Don Shula and his Dolphins steamrolled through the NFL to go 17-0, capping the only perfect season in NFL history, with a 14-7 Super Bowl victory over the Washington Redskins.

A team loaded with Hall of Fame players such as Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, Paul Warfield, Jim Lager, Larry Little and Nick Buoniconti helped lead the Dolphins to domination. They were the NFL’s top-ranked offense and defense in 1927, shutting out their opponents three times during that season.

In 17 games, including the postseason, Miami’s perfect defense only gave up 20 or more points on three occasions. When the season hit mid-October, the Dolphins’ defense hit its stride. From Week 6 through Week 19, Miami didn’t allow over 100 passing yards. They created 46 turnovers in the regular season, and in the playoffs, the Dolphins’ defensive unit caused 10 turnovers, including three in the Super Bowl.

The Dolphins had the offensive magic of the perfect backfield led by Ohio’s own Csonka. Mercury Morris was the charismatic running back to play alongside Csonka. The pair both exceeded 1,000 yards in the regular season, which was just 14 games. Jim Kiick added a complimentary punch to Shula’s rushing attack, as the trio combined for 2,638 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground.

As for the passing attack, Griese started the season off with five straight wins before an injury led to veteran quarterback Earl Morrall taking the reins, and he did so, well, perfectly.

Morrall, in his 17th professional season, rattled off a 9-0 record to help Miami not lose a step in their quest to return to the Super Bowl. The 1971 team lost to the Dallas Cowboys 24-3. Making it back in 1973 ade in two Super Bowls in a row for Shula and the Dolphins, the franchise’s only victory in the big game. While he led Miami two another two appearances in the 1980s, they weren’t able to capture another Lombardi Trophy.

The 1972 Dolphins have been a timeless tribute and a major source of pride for the organization and their legions of loyal fans and supporters. Whether it’s rewatching highlights of a graceful Warfield corralling a perfect pass from Griese in the championship game, seeing Csonka run through a would-be-tackler, or the simple joy of a cork-popping soundbite following the last fallen unbeaten in today’s game, that team continues to provide this community with palpable pride.

In a season of newfound hope in South Florida, coinciding with this special anniversary of perfection, perhaps there’s magic in the air in Miami Gardens, as the ghosts of 1972 will, without a doubt, be all over the sidelines in 2022, in person and in spirit.

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