Tag: Dwight Stephenson

Decorated Dolphins offensive linemen onboard the Miami Fan Cruise

Big men aboard.

Continuing our series of previewing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the Miami Dolphins and First Class Cruises have teamed up for an ultimate fan experience onboard the brand-new MSC Seascape. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the team’s 1972 17-0 perfect season, 35 team legends including many from that championship year will be on board.

We took a look at the skill position players like those in the backfield as well as pass-catchers. When talking about skill-position players like running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends, of course, you need a quarterback to distribute the ball. Yes, Dan Marino will be on the Seascape and mingling with Dolphins fans all week while hitting up the Caribbean and four destinations.

Likely close to Marino, and providing watchful sets of eyes as per their playing day habits, some of the Dolphins’ best offensive linemen in team history will be securing the path for Marino to get to his food and beverages. Among that unit of on and off-shore security will be Hall-of-Famers Larry Little, representing the Perfect 1972 team, as well as tackle Doug Crusan and guard/tackle Al Jenkins.

Marino’s first center, another Hall-of-Famer in Dwight Stephenson will be on the ship as well, and it can be argued that he is the NFL’s best to ever play that position. Stephenson played eight seasons in the league, all with Miami, and was a Pro Bowler for five straight seasons to finish his career. The 1984 season was his first All-Pro year and repeated that feat in his remaining three seasons as well.

Moving into the 1990s, Marino’s jersey was usually extremely clean, and much of that has to do with the protection from perennial Pro Bowl left tackle, Richmond Webb. Webb made seven straight Pro Bowls starting in his rookie year and was named an All-Pro in 1992 and 1994. Webb, very deserving of Hall-of-Fame consideration, has always been a fan favorite and active on Dolphins’ social media channels.

Last but not least, is someone you probably won’t want to mess with, as not only was Ed Newman a four-time Pro Bowler from 1981-1984 as well as 1973 Super Bowl champion, he was elected County Court Judge in Miami, Florida in 1994. And his bailiff is former Dolphins teammate, Tony Nathan, on board as well.

Join the fun from April 2 to April 9. Set sail for an adventure like no other aboard the brand-new MSC Seascape for seven nights, sailing to several Caribbean destinations, including Ocean Cay, Bahamas, Nassau, Bahamas, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Puerto Plata and the Dominican Republic.

Contact Karen Mason of First Class Cruises, the Dolphins Fan Cruise Travel Concierge, to get access to the DolphinsWire special access private meet and greets with the legends to sail away with the NFL Hall of Famers in April. Remember to mention that you are a reader of “DolphinsWire.”
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Happy anniversary to Miami Dolphins HOF’er Dwight Stephenson!

On this day back in 1998, former Dolphins center Dwight Stephenson was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Happy anniversary to Miami Dolphins legend Dwight Stephenson. Stephenson, who served as the staple of Miami’s terrific offensive line throughout the 1980s, was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on this date back in 1998. With the latest round of Hall of Fame elections just a week away, Miami will hope to see their next alumni immortalized in Canton with a breakthrough for linebacker Zack Thomas.

For Stephenson, his election into the Hall of Fame served as a bit of redemption after his playing career was abruptly cut short by a dirty play against the New York Jets in 1987. Stephenson was cut low and suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee — a situation that eventually led to “drop foot” and ended his hopes of returning to the gridiron. He formally retired in September of 1989 after more than a year of grueling rehab to try to recover his form. A tragic ending to a glorious and brilliant career, indeed.

A decade later, Stephenson would learn his brief but dominant playing career would not be forgotten and that he was being inducted into Canton.

Here’s to you, Dwight — for the memories of past glory days and all you gave to the Miami Dolphins. Happy anniversary!

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George Kittle is the best player in football . . . according to Pro Football Focus

Pro Football Focus does a great job of providing and using analytics to teach football fans more about the game. Their grades are now very visible on Sunday Night Football thanks to Cris Collinsworth’s involvement with the website. Recently, they …

Pro Football Focus does a great job of providing and using analytics to teach football fans more about the game. Their grades are now very visible on Sunday Night Football thanks to Cris Collinsworth’s involvement with the website. Recently, they crowned their Dwight Stephenson award winner. Stephenson was a center for the Miami Dolphins from 1980 to 1987 and he was enshrined in Canton in 1998. The goal of the Stephenson award is to crown the best player in football.

The problem with the Most Valuable Player award is that it always goes to the best quarterback. That doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best player in the league. In fact, five Stephenson’s awards have been split between J.J. Watt and Aaron Donald. They — unfortunately — have almost no shot of ever winning an MVP.

So this year’s award for best player in the NFL didn’t go to a quarterback. It didn’t go to a defensive menace. It went to someone who plays a position that will never win MVP. It went to All-Pro and Super Bowl participant George Kittle.

Kittle was absolutely dominant according to PFF. He has the best score for a tight end ever — and yes that includes every year that Rob Gronkowski. It makes sense. Kittle is unparalleled when it comes to blocking at the tight end spot. He is a major reason that the Niners are dominant with the ground game. He’s also a mismatch in the passing the game. Kittle being able to do both allows Kyle Shanahan to scheme and create mismatches for the Niners no matter the situation.

So here is your new king, NFL analytics fans. George Kittle is the best player in football.

Dolphins Hall of Fame center Dwight Stephenson named to NFL 100 roster

The great Dwight Stephenson is the first Miami Dolphin alumni to make the NFL 100 roster.

Now that’s more like it! The NFL has been rolling out the red carpet to honor legends of the game in celebration of their 100th season of football — but yet a historic team in the Miami Dolphins has seen their best of the best shut out of the selection process. Until now, that is. Finally, the Miami Dolphins have a representative on the NFL’s roster of the all-time greats: Hall of Fame center Dwight Stephenson has been added to the roster as the league’s celebration creeps towards the final reveals.

Stephenson’s greatness is unquestioned — although one can’t help but wonder what his career would have eventually gone on to look like had he not suffered a devastating knee injury at the hands of the New York Jets on a meaningless hit behind the play.

That injury prompted Stephenson’s premature retirement in 1987, just seven seasons after he was made a 2nd-round selection by the Dolphins.

With more longevity, Stephenson’s mark on the Dolphins and mark on the game of football may have been even more profound — yet despite a relatively short playing career Stephenson’s legend has been cemented and he’s still considered one of the consensus top centers in NFL history. His play is something the Dolphins could sure use a little more of these days as they struggle to find consistent protection for their quarterback.

In the 68 games overlapped by Stephenson and Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino from 1983 to 1987 with Miami, Marino was sacked a grand total of 65 times. It seems Miami gives up that many per season these days — but that’s a testament to how good Miami’s line was with Stephenson as the anchor.

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