Greatest Dolphins of All-Time, By The Numbers: 1-10
During the offseason, it's always good to go back and revisit some Miami Dolphins history. After all, there are only so many times we can sit here and debate the same old debates ("Pennington vs Henne" for example). We could break down the roster battles, but I plan on getting into that as training camp approaches in July as part of our in-depth "training camp primers."
So I thought that it might be fun to go through Miami's entire history and pick out the great Dolphins to ever put on a particular uniform number. I'll give you my picks and attempt to explain why I selected each player. Then I will open the floor up to you all to tell me if you agree or disagree. We will kick things off with the numbers 1 to 10 - meaning we'll see mostly kickers, punters, and quarterbacks here.
Number 1 - Garo Yepremian, K, 1970-1978
Sure, Garo made the bonehead play that ruined the shutout the Dolphins had going in Super Bowl VII against the Redskins. But Yepremian was a very solid kicker for his time. You look at his FG percentage during his time in Miami and you see he made just 68% of his kicks. But it was a different time then. And Garo was a two time Pro Bowler and voted a 1st team All Pro two times. That's enough for him to be the greatest Dolphin to ever wear #1.
Other candidates: Matt Turk
Number 2 - Cookie Gilchrist, FB, 1966
Gilchrist came to Miami in 1966 for the Dolphins inaugural season following 4 Pro Bowl seasons combined with Buffalo and Denver. He was also the AFL's Player of the Year in 1962. But Cookie played in just 8 games for the Dolphins in '66, rushing for 262 yards on 72 carries. But he's the only player wear #2 for the Dolphins to score a touchdown - catching a TD pass in his one season in Miami. So he gets the nod over Brandon Fields - though Brandon could leapfrog Cookie with a couple good seasons beginning here in 2009.
Other candidates: Brandon Fields
Number 3 - Joey Harrington, QB, 2006
As hard as it is to put Harrington on a "greatest anything" list, Joey's play in '06 was better than any other player to wear the #3 in Miami. Joey was 5-6 as a starter that year when he took over for Daunte Culpepper. He threw for 203 yards per game and had 12 touchdowns to go with his 15 interceptions. He was a contributer to some of the Dolphins surprising wins that year, including his 3 touchdown performance against the then-unbeated Bears and his 250 yard passing performance against the Vikings. He also played well, completing 60% of his passes, in Miami's 21-0 upset over New England. So "Joey Sunshine" is my pick here.
Other candidates: Jay Feely, Tom Orosz
Number 4 - Reggie Roby, P, 1983-1992
This one was easy. Roby is probably the best punter to ever put on a Dolphins' uniform. He was a 3 time Pro Bowler and was 1st team All Pro twice. He led the NFL in yards per punt one time (1991) and finished in the top five 8 times in his career.
Other candidates: George Roberts
Number 5 - John Stofa, QB, 1966-1967, 1969-1970
Not much to choose from here so I went with the player who has a 2-0 record as a starting QB for the Dolphins. Stofa started the final game of Miami's inaugural season and won 29-28 on the heels of two 4th quarter touchdowns passes from Stofa. That game saw Stofa go 22 of 38 for 307 yards and 4 touchdowns. Stofa then opened the 1967 season as the Dolphins starting quarterback, completed all two of his pass attempts in week one against Denver for 51 yards, scored a touchdown on the ground, and then got hurt and was replaced by some guy named Bob Griese. We all know how he turned out. If not for Stofa's injury, Dolphins' history could be a bit different.
Other candidates: Donnie Jones, Dan Carpenter
Number 6 - Joe Nedney, K, 1996
Nedney only played one season for the Dolphins and made just 62% of his field goals during his time here. But he gets the nod simply because I refuse to add Ray Lucas to any list like this. Lucas cost the Dolphins the season in 2002. The Fins started off 5-1 but Lucas was forced to take over at QB due to injury. He went on to lose 4 of the 6 games he started, including a four interception game against the Bills. So thanks to you, Ray, Joe Nedney makes this list.
Other candidates: Jim Arnold
Number 7 - Fuad Reveiz, K, 1985-1988
Reveiz spent the first four years of his NFL career in Miami. He had two solid years, making over 80% of his field goals, and two poor years, making under 70%. But his four years in Miami saw Fuad make 74% of his FGs and he finished 7th in point scored in his rookie year. His only competition is from A.J. Feeley for this spot and Feeley cost the Dolphins too much to be on this list. However, Reveiz shouldn't get too comfy being listed here - as a certain player wearing #7 is just awaiting his chance to prove himself.
Other candidates: A.J. Feeley, Craig Erikson
Number 8 - Daunte Culpepper, QB, 2006
Only two players have ever worn the #8 for the Dolphins. And lucky for Culpepper, the other guy was a punter who played one year in Miami. Daunte, for all his faults, was probably rushed into action to quickly by Nick Saban and company. He did win one of his four starts as a Dolphin and averaged over 230 yards passing in those 4 games. I suppose that's enough to be listed here. Well - that and the fact that I own his jersey (and learned a valuable lesson: don't buy any jersey too quickly.)
Other candidate: Klaus Wilmsmeyer
Number 9 - Jay Fiedler, QB, 2000-2004
Fiedler is a guy who doesn't get the recognition he deserves. He may not have been the most talented quarterback in the league, but he was one of the gutsiest and played well for the Dolphins. He has a 36-23 record as a starting QB for the Dolphins, throwing for over 11,000 yards and 66 touchdowns. He also left in Miami some terrific memories - such as his dive into the endzone against the Raiders with just seconds left on the clock and his 2003 Thanksgiving Day performance against the Cowboys, throwing for 239 yards and 3 touchdowns. I never understood why Dolphin fans got on Jay's case so much, to be honest. I guess it was part of the "post-Marino effect."
Other candidate: Scott Secules
Number 10 - Chad Pennington, QB, 2008-
This was the toughest one I've had to do so far. But when you win the Comeback Player of the Year award, come in 2nd in the NFL MVP voting, and lead your team to a division title, you deserve this recognition. Pennington was outstanding last year for the Dolphins. He was exactly what this franchise needed in every way and the Dolphins lucked out big time that the Jets are as dumb as they are. He led the NFL in completion percentage, was 2nd in passer rating, and 9th in passing yards. So Chad slightly edges out two former kickers for this spot - mainly because quarterbacks are far more valuable than kickers. And Chad is not only valuable on the field, but also as a mentor for Chad Henne off the field.
Other candidates: Pete Stoyanovich, Olindo Mare
So that's all for the first installment of this feature. Get at it with your thoughts below...
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53 comments
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Comments
but but
Olindo Mare is the best kicker of all time!!!
by Brian5517209 on Jun 9, 2009 12:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I feel you
on the culpepper part i was so excited for him to come and had his jersey needless to say it hangs in my closet now and everytime i look at it it just reminds me of how much i hate saban for the way he handled that situation not to mention i was at the raiders game in 07 when culpepper taunted us with 3 TD’s so i dislike him as well
by Miamiboi84 on Jun 9, 2009 12:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The memory of him
just reminds me of the fact that we couldve had Drew Brees. As great as Penny was last year can you imagine if we had Brees? Gosh the thought brings tears to my eyes. Alos, I hated Culsucker and I hotly debated how much he actually sucked by the numbers in Minnesota (feel free to debate that but i might not respond because honestly i got burned out over it on finheaven.com lol…I will say though keep in mind he had a bum knee while here and a had an incredible o-line and Moss in Minnesota)
Formerly known as "Enhalo"
by Enhalen on Jun 9, 2009 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
People tend to forget
That Brees had a few rough years, and only emerged as a true Pro-Bowler when the pressure of Philip Rivers came up.
The Player's Commenter
by ocelotfox on Jun 9, 2009 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i don't think Joey should be on the list
He was just too… cheerful.
Although he did contribute to that couple of awesome wins (but I think our D beat the Bears).
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Jun 9, 2009 12:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Between Joey and Feely...
You definitely have to go Joey because he is not Feely. I couldn’t stand his trash talk when he was released but it was definitely nice to see him go down in flames with the Jets last year.
by mikey2380 on Jun 9, 2009 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fiedler
After the 2007 season, I definitely appreciated Fiedler for the wins we had when he was at quarterback. But after having a game manager like CP10, I’m reminded why I wasn’t a big fan: he was a mistake-prone quarterback. I pretty much had to hold my breath everytime the guy through the ball downfield to a receiver not on my tv screen. He’d force the ball into double and triple coverage a lot. Also, even though it was the Wannstedt era and coach Wanny deserves his fair shair of blame, Fiedler led teams always burned out at the end of the year. Even though we could have locked up home field advantage early in the 2002 season if Fiedler did not get hurt in the classic Sunday night matchup against the Broncos, we still had a chance to beat the struggling Vikings and Patriots late in the year for home-field or a playoff spot, but didn’t. I agree though that he is the top #9 of our franchise history but wanted to vent about why he was on my crap list.
by mikey2380 on Jun 9, 2009 1:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
lol I can't argue with that one
he was mistake-prone, and at the worst possible times IIRC. He’d play great all game, then throw a pick to seal the loss on the final drive lol.
But, before last year, I would’ve given anything to have him back instead of Beck/Lemon/Culpepper/Harrington/whatever other crap we had…
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by Little Nicky 21 on Jun 9, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I always liked Fiedler
The reason he was hated on was because he played for an Ivy league team and he barely scrapped by to make it in the league. He was very smart and a good athlete. When your qb can lead you to the playoffs, you have a good qb in my book. He was just a stop-gap guy and we should have drafted Bress, but Fiedler was my guy.
"If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good you did it. That's all it takes to get people to win football games for you."
Coach Paul Bear Bryant
by AussieKen on Jun 9, 2009 1:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
agreed. i always liked fiedler
i was one tough cookie.
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Jun 9, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what about his ears?
lol nah i loved Fiedler. Him and Ferotte were the only QB’s i didn’t hate between Marino and CP10
Laces out!
-2008 AFC East Champions-
Suck it Pats, Bills and most of all... the god damn jets.
Supporter of the Bash Brothers- Wilson and Bell.
by BSerious72 on Jun 9, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh yeah!! Reggie Roby...
… that guy could hit a satellite on the way up on one of his punts.
What was he…? 6’5", 6’6" and 250, 260lbs?
Biggest punter I ever saw!!
30 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"What's the point of getting in a sword fight with a guy you can run away from?" - Chris Doleman
by Alpha6 on Jun 9, 2009 2:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
lol i never had the oppurtunity to see him as a fin (extremely young) but the way I hear and formulate (via videos) he was
amazing. i remember don shula had nothing but praises for the guy.lol and your satellite comment reminds me of this
I believe in John Beck and that Cbdolphin is the man. I'll make you proud LCFF
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by finsxfactor on Jun 9, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No Uwe Von Shaman for #5?
Yeah I know he blew the San Diego playoff game
We're talkin' about PRACTICE....practice!
by hotrod43 on Jun 9, 2009 2:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Whoa! Don Strock?
He was #10 and no mention???
We're talkin' about PRACTICE....practice!
by hotrod43 on Jun 9, 2009 2:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I Remember the San Diego Playoff Game....
There is no doubt in my mind that Don Strock deserves the nod for #10, if only for his performance in the San Diego Playoff game of 1982. That was, in my opinion, the greatest football game ever played, and it was Strock, along with Kellen Winslow and two great teams playing at the height of football excellence, that made it so. So while I’m grateful to Chad for all he has done for the Dolphins, I’m still going to have to pick Strock for #10.
by Old Dolphin Fan on Jun 16, 2009 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Always liked Fielder
Didn’t realize his winning record with the Fins was that good!
by MassFinFan65 on Jun 9, 2009 7:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I wonder.....
who number 13 is going to be?
by xiola20 on Jun 9, 2009 7:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Jake Scott.... no brainer
The Patriots Suck
by k2oconnor on Jun 9, 2009 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol
duhhh
Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Four 2008/2009 Matty Awards
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by Little Nicky 21 on Jun 9, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow...
a top # list that includes Culpepper, Harrington, and Fielder. You’d almost wonder if it was a different kind of list!
Then again, when you have an all-time great for his whole career at the QB spot, it makes sense that a lot of the other QB numbers have been less than spectacular.
Let’s hope the current #7 on our roster handily takes over the best #7 spot shortly…
by Natalya on Jun 9, 2009 10:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow... is there an echo?
The Patriots Suck
by k2oconnor on Jun 9, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder who #13 is going to be?
Laces out!
-2008 AFC East Champions-
Suck it Pats, Bills and most of all... the god damn jets.
Supporter of the Bash Brothers- Wilson and Bell.
by BSerious72 on Jun 9, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jake Scott, of course
Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Four 2008/2009 Matty Awards
Gravitationally Dominated since 1986
by Little Nicky 21 on Jun 9, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry everyone.
I swear the earlier comment wasn’t there when I posted mine.
by ct1361 on Jun 9, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's see if I can take a guess at tomorrow's post...
- Crash Jensen
- Griese
- Marino (sorry Jake)
- Griese (the lesser, ha!)
- Earl Morral
- David Woodley (RIP dude)
- Jaws – sure he hardly played but he was at least a decent player in the NFL (unlike Lemon!)
- Saaaaage (talk about being the odd man out with the vikes signing Favre soon)
- Kosar – yeah people will say Ginn, but Kosar had a superior career compared to Ted as of the present at least.
by Natalya on Jun 9, 2009 11:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I liked Nedney as much as the next guy
but Arnold went to the Pro-bowl twice, that should easily put him over Nedney.
Wilmsmayer had his best season as a dolphin, Culpeper was a failure here, I’m not saying it was all his fault, but he was a failure here in the few games he played. Hands down Wilmsmayer.
Because hes only been here 1 year, Mare and Stoyo have to beat out CP, you can’t do this on potential, if CP has another year like last year, then I’d agree.
"wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men" -General George S. Patton Jr-
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by uncle finster on Jun 9, 2009 12:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Arnold spent one year in Miami and averaged under 40 yards a punt.
That’s why Nedney got the spot.
As far as Wilmsmeyer goes, 16 games as an average punter < 4 games as an average starting quarterback.
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by Matty I on Jun 9, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see your point about Arnold
I was looking at it the wrong way, Arnold was a better player IMO, but Nedney was a better Dolphin, so my bad.
The Daunte issue is different IMO, he set this team back about a half season or more, depending on how you view it, I was not in favor of dumping him for Green as Camoron did, as a matter of fact that is when I had my first doubts about Camoron, but it doesn’t change the fact that Daunte came back from his injury too soon, and those 4 games he started, pretty much shot the rest of the year at QB.
Wilmsmeyer was an adequate punter for 1 season, and IMO Daunte set us back a year at least.
"wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men" -General George S. Patton Jr-
creator of nic name "shrimp Patty" for Pat White
Hat Tip Hat trick from "X"
former Goof Trooper
by uncle finster on Jun 9, 2009 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hard to disagree with the list
because most of the numbers are like picking between two bags of crap. But I’ll make the case for Carpenter to be number 5.
Stofa went 2-0, in two pretty meaningless games I’m guessing, while Carpenter was a big part in one of the most memorable (if not THE most memorable) season for Dolphins fans. For those of us too young to have seen the Perfect Season or Marino in his prime, last year was the most exciting Dolphins season, and DC$ was part of that. Not to mention, that nickname is pretty damn cool :-)
Also, he was good enough as an UDFA to get 2007’s Team MVP cut (bye Feely).
Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Four 2008/2009 Matty Awards
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by Little Nicky 21 on Jun 9, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
#1- 9 suffice, but????
- has to be Don Strock.. He was Mr. reliable when the Fins needed him, was there from 1974- 1987.. just did his job, did not complain about being the back-up and was always ready to go. Chad has been here one year, and yes he did allot in one year, but we cannot compare one year to Strock’s years… I want a recount… No “CHAD’s” here…
by Finz oneday on Jun 9, 2009 2:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
hanging chad joke... GROAN lol
I can’t really make an argument because I never saw Strock play (was born in 86).
Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Four 2008/2009 Matty Awards
Gravitationally Dominated since 1986
by Little Nicky 21 on Jun 9, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i know you've seen the nfl films doc. on the
dolphins-chargers playoff game that strock led us back in. because of that one game (that me me cry) i will always be a strock fan.
IAMLEGEND
by woomar on Jun 9, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the epic one that went like 88 minutes or something?
Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Four 2008/2009 Matty Awards
Gravitationally Dominated since 1986
by Little Nicky 21 on Jun 9, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Strock was a very good backup.
Can't stop to save my soul
I take the leash that's leading me
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by Patssuck456 on Jun 9, 2009 8:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
also Matt Turk was a punter, not a kicker
Can't stop to save my soul
I take the leash that's leading me
I'm bleeding me, whoa!
by Patssuck456 on Jun 9, 2009 8:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
who said he wasn't?
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by Matty I on Jun 9, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dude.............
30 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"What's the point of getting in a sword fight with a guy you can run away from?" - Chris Doleman
by Alpha6 on Jun 9, 2009 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But he gets the nod simply because I refuse to add Ray Lucas to any list like this
Ray Lucas doesnt belong on any list, ever,
Can't stop to save my soul
I take the leash that's leading me
I'm bleeding me, whoa!
by Patssuck456 on Jun 9, 2009 8:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh yeah he does!
“The worst Dolphin ever” list
We're talkin' about PRACTICE....practice!
by hotrod43 on Jun 11, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with most of these, but
I think I have to give the nod to Stoyanovich/Mare for number 10. Pennington has only given us one good year and a disasterous playoff appearance. Not sure which one deserves the nod over the other though. Both were fairly accurate kickers, I think Mare actually held the most accurate tag for a year or two. Mare was great at kickoffs, while Stoyo was a good kicker from 50+. But I think I’d give it to Mare, just because of the bitter memory of Stoyo missing that 51 yd FG that would have sent us to the 1994 AFC Championship game vs. the Steelers. Most of these picks will be pretty cut and dry, other than picking the guy who sucked the least amount. But I’m interested in the following numbers and who Matty will pick……23, 33, 80, 81, 84, and 85.
by luvs2drnk on Jun 10, 2009 3:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I can't pass this up I want to guess
23) P Surtain
33) K Abdul- Jabbar
80) I Fryar
81) OJ Mcduffie
84) B Stanfill
85) N Buoniconti
by uncle finster on Jun 10, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Got a couple of good contenders for that #23 spot in particular
and you might get some pushback on #85 too :)
by Natalya on Jun 10, 2009 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
23 is a tough one, 3 main contenders IMO
but only one #85 is in the HOF for the Fins, I think thats a lock:>)
by uncle finster on Jun 10, 2009 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Matty's crush on R. Brown may factor in....
The six numbers I put seemed to me to have the most competition for who to pick.
23) R. Brown/ P. Surtain/ T. Vincent
33) Abdul-Jabbar/ Sammie Smith
80) I. Fryar/ F. Edmunds
81) McDuffie/ McMicheal
84) Stanfill/ Bruce Hardy/ C. Chambers
85) Buoniconti/ Duper
But the real question is, are we judging them by what they did for the Dolphins, or just based on the fact they wore the jersey? No real clarification on that, but I’m basing mine on only what they did while on the Dolphins.
by luvs2drnk on Jun 11, 2009 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
me too....
23-Surtain
33-Hubert Ginn
80-Irving Fryer
84-Bruce Hardy
85-Toss up…Duper or Buoniconti
We're talkin' about PRACTICE....practice!
by hotrod43 on Jun 11, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
greatest #10?
he led us to a super bowl, and found time to transition one hall of famer to another, all while mentoring what would become one of the greatest passing quarterbacks of all time,DON STROCK folowed in the footsteps of bob griese, and echoed in dan marino, all while sharing duties with david woodley , in what was probably the only team in football history that stared 2 quarterbacks the entire season , and managed to go to the big one , and nearly pulling it off, only miami’s poor defensive scheme lost it for them , some guy named john riggins ran over them in the 4th like a pit stop at daytona . best #10, goes to DON STROCK
by canada58 on Jun 10, 2009 8:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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