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Tim Bowens was a 6'4" defensive tackle for the Mississippi Rebels in college. Miami chose him in the first round of the 1994 NFL Entry Draft with the 20th overall pick. He wore number 95 throughout his NFL career.
As a rookie, Bowens started all 15 of the 16 games in which he appeared for the Dolphins at left tackle. He collected a season high nine tackles in a week six 21-11 victory over the Buffalo Bills on his way to a defensive line leading 52 tackles. Miami finished the season with a 10-6 record, good enough for the AFC East title. The defense led the NFL with 23 interceptions, also allowing an AFC second lowest 1,430 rushing yards. Bowens was named the NFL AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.
1995 would see Bowens start every game at left tackle, making a total of 38 tackles and two sacks, also recovering two fumbles. Miami finished the season with a wildcard clinching 9-7 record. The rushing defense was tight, allowing an AFC low seven rushing touchdowns on the campaign.
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In 1996, Bowens was moved to right tackle, but again started every game for the Dolphins. He had his first two sack performance in a week six 21-7 victory over Buffalo. He led the defensive line with 48 total stops, ending the season with three sacks and two forced fumbles. Miami finished the season out of the playoff hunt with an 8-8 record.
Bowens was moved back to left tackle in 1997, and would stay at the position for the rest of his Dolphins career. He started every game, collecting a career high five sacks on the campaign. He scored his only career touchdown in the third quarter of a week 13 victory over the Oakland Raders, 34-16, recovering a fumble in the end zone. The starting defensive line of Bowens, Trace Armstrong, Daryl Gardener and Jason Taylor each made at least 42 tackles, Bowen making 48. Miami earned a wildcard slot with a 9-7 record, but did not advance past the first round of the playoffs.
In 1998, Bowens started all 16 games, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. His selection was probably due to his prior reputation (he should have been invited in 1997), as he finished the season with no sacks and only 30 tackles. Miami finished the year with a 10-6 record, earning a wildcard berth. They defeated the Bills in the first round before getting embarrassed by the Denver Broncos the following week, 38-3. Miami's defense led the NFL by allowing a league low 265 points and intercepting a league high 29 passes. The rushing defense led the NFL with only six touchdowns scored against them.
Bowens started 15 of his 16 games in 1999, making 1.5 sacks and 34 tackles. Miami finished third in the AFC East with a 9-7 record, but advanced to the playoffs as a wildcard. Miami beat the Kansas City Chiefs 20-17 in the first round. Bowens was one of very few bright spots in Miami's 62-7 shellacking at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars the following week, sacking quarterback Mark Brunell. Miami's rushing defense allowed an AFC best-tying six touchdowns on the season.
In 2000, Bowens started each of the 15 games that he played in. He made 40 tackles and 2.5 sacks, intercepting his only career pass in a week two 13-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Miami won the AFC East, advancing to the playoffs for the sixth time in Bowen's then seven year career with an 11-5 record. Miami's defense placed third in the NFL, allowing 226 points.
2001 would see Bowens again appear in and start 15 games for the Dolphins. He earned three sacks and made around 50 tackles (tackle information is incomplete for the 2001 season). Miami finished at 11-5, earning a wildcard spot. The Dolphins had the third stingiest defense in the AFC, allowing 4,608 yards.
Bowens earned his second career Pro Bowl invitation in 2002, starting every game. He made 36 tackles on the campaign, as Miami's 9-7 record was not quite good enough for the postseason. The Dolphins defense allowed an AFC low 301 points.
In 2003, Bowens started each of his 13 games on the season, making two sacks and 27 tackles. Miami posted a respectable 10-6 record, but were again excluded from the playoffs. The defense was the AFC's second best, allowing 261 points.
2004 was Bowens last NFL season. He made three tackles over his two appearances, both starts. In 157 games over 11 seasons, Bowen collected over 400 tackles and made 22 sacks, forcing nine fumbles, recovering five (one for a touchdown), and making one interception. Bowens completed his NFL career with only two toes on his left foot, resulting from a lawnmower incident.