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Jake Scott was a 6' defensive back for the Georgia Bulldogs when drafted in the seventh round of the 1970 NFL Entry Draft, with the 159th overall pick.
In his rookie season, Scott started 13 games for Miami at free safety, making around 50 tackles with a Dolphins second best-tying five interceptions, returning them for 112 yards. He also returned punts for the Dolphins, 27 for an NFL fifth-best 290 return yards. This includes a 77 yard touchdown in a week 10 34-17 victory over the Baltimore Colts. Miami earned the first ever AFC wildcard berth, and their first ever playoff appearance with a 10-4 record on the season.
In 1971, Scott was honored with his first Pro Bowl selection, also garnering AP and UPI first-team All-AFC appointments, starting every game for Miami at free safety. He led the NFL with 318 punt return yards on 33 attempts, making approximately 45 tackles on the year. He also led the Dolphins with an NFL sixth best seven interceptions on the season, adding an interception in each Miami postseason victory. Miami posted a 10-3-1 regular season record, claiming the AFC East divisional title. The defense allowed an AFC second-best 174 point on their way to the first Dolphins AFC Championship.
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1972 would see Scott finish with around 42 tackles and a team best five interceptions for 73 return yards, starting 13 of 14 games at strong safety. He finished second on the team with 13 returns for 100 yards. Miami boasted the NFL's stingiest defense, allowing 171 points on the year. Perhaps unfairly, they also had the NFL's best offense, scoring 385 points. Miami won every game through the regular and postseason. Scott intercepted two Billy Kilmer passes in Miami's 14-7 victory over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII, and was named the games MVP, making his second consecutive Pro Bowl.
Scott started 13 of 14 games for the Dolphins in 1973 at strong safety and at punt returner. He was selected to his third consecutive Pro Bowl, for the first time earning a First-team All-Pro selection. He made in the neighborhood of 60 tackles, intercepting a Miami career low four passes. He also returned 22 punts for 266 yards. Miami's defense held the opposition to an NFL low 150 points throughout the whole season. They also led the NFL with 3.7 yards allowed per play, five passing touchdowns allowed and 3.5 net yards per pass attempt, leading the AFC with 45 sacks. The team finished with an AFC best 12-2 record, advancing to a Super Bowl VIII victory over the Minnesota Vikings, 24-7.
Scott started all 14 Miami games at free safety in 1974, earning his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl honors while also earning his second consecutive First-Team All-NFL selection. He made a career high and NFL third best eight interceptions on the season, returning 31 punts for a career high 346 yards. Miami tied for the AFC lead by allowing only seven rushing touchdowns on the season, finishing with an AFC East winning 11-3 record.
In 1975, Scott started all 14 games at free safety for Miami, leading the Dolphins with six interceptions. He made the Pro Bowl for the fifth consecutive time. Miami's 222 points allowed was good for second best in the AFC, but the teams 10-4 record was not good enough to extend Miami's playoff streak to six years. Miami's pass defense led the NFL with nine touchdown passes allowed, while the rushing defense placed second in the AFC by allowing 1,768 yards.
Scott joined the Redskins for the 1976 season, intercepting 14 passes over his final three NFL seasons. Scott made five Pro Bowl appearances over his six Miami seasons, starting three Pro Bowls and winning two. He started 81 regular seasons over that span, appearing in every Dolphins game. He sits atop Miami's all-time leaderboard with 35 interceptions.