Honoring the Perfect Team

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Would love to hear some comments from fans who were at the game on Sunday.

It's become bitter sweet to see the members of that team. Sweet because it brings up great memories. I had posters of Griese and Csonka as a child and remember them as 22-year-old athletes who eventually reached the summit in their sports careers. The sheer power and grit of Csonka, the accuracy and smarts of Griese. So many great players on one team. And, of course, the incomparable Don Shula.

Sweet because so many of these players have achieved success after football and have seemingly lived good lives. That's great to see.

Bitter because it's also a reminder of how many years its been since the Dolphins held the Lombardi Trophy. It's also a reminder of the passage of time. It sometimes feels like yesterday to me.

But, i really like what Griese said in the OC Register (Orange County CA) that he really didn't think much about undefeated at the time and expected someone would do it soon after the Dolphins did. As a fan, I felt the same way. It was the championship, not unbeaten that mattered. Who would have thought that 50 years later Miami would still be the only team that climbed that mountain?

44-6-1

That was Miami's record during their three-year super bowl run. In a way, that's what this undefeated team represents. A short-lived dynasty, but a three-year run that will likely never be duplicated. Can you imagine the type of publicity any team would get today if they won 88 percent of their games over three seasons? It would put the Patriots hate to shame. Oh, and the Dolphins won 29 out of 30 during one stretch as well.

 

[BlueFin]

Would love to hear some comments from fans who were at the game on Sunday.

It's become bitter sweet to see the members of that team. Sweet because it brings up great memories. I had posters of Griese and Csonka as a child and remember them as 22-year-old athletes who eventually reached the summit in their sports careers. The sheer power and grit of Csonka, the accuracy and smarts of Griese. So many great players on one team. And, of course, the incomparable Don Shula.

Sweet because so many of these players have achieved success after football and have seemingly lived good lives. That's great to see.

Bitter because it's also a reminder of how many years its been since the Dolphins held the Lombardi Trophy. It's also a reminder of the passage of time. It sometimes feels like yesterday to me.

But, i really like what Griese said in the OC Register (Orange County CA) that he really didn't think much about undefeated at the time and expected someone would do it soon after the Dolphins did. As a fan, I felt the same way. It was the championship, not unbeaten that mattered. Who would have thought that 50 years later Miami would still be the only team that climbed that mountain?

44-6-1

That was Miami's record during their three-year super bowl run. In a way, that's what this undefeated team represents. A short-lived dynasty, but a three-year run that will likely never be duplicated. Can you imagine the type of publicity any team would get today if they won 88 percent of their games over three seasons? It would put the Patriots hate to shame. Oh, and the Dolphins won 29 out of 30 during one stretch as well.

Wow…I had those same posters on my wall as a young man.

I had the niece of Bob Matheson(53 defense) in my 6th grade class as they repeated in the 73’ season.

It was a smart football team that didn’t beat itself.

The No-Name defense is so underrated historically as they allowed a measly 3 points in back to back Super Bowl wins.

The undefeated team actually had to go on the road at 15-0 to play that great Steelers team and defeat them in the AFC Championship game…crazy that the rules were such then that a perfect team would have to travel and win to reach the Super Bowl.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Wow…I had those same posters on my wall as a young man.

I had the niece of Bob Matheson(53 defense) in my 6th grade class as they repeated in the 73’ season.

It was a smart football team that didn’t beat itself.

The No-Name defense is so underrated historically as they allowed a measly 3 points in back to back Super Bowl wins.

The undefeated team actually had to go on the road at 15-0 to play that great Steelers team and defeat them in the AFC Championship game…crazy that the rules were such then that a perfect team would have to travel and win to reach the Super Bowl.

As a fan who lived in Southern California during that great run, I always envied those that lived in South Florida.

There were Dolphins hats and jerseys everywhere, even in California, back then. But it must have been really special up close and personal.

Such a fun time to be a fan. I can only imagine the type of publicity a team of that caliber would get today.

 

[royalshank]

I know I am biased but that dynasty - and I would argue it was a 5-season dynasty 1970-1974 - was the smartest football team ever assembled. I really believe that. Perhaps the Pats teams that won 3 times in 4 years in the early 2000’s were comparable but that’s it. It was a cerebral team - led by a very cerebral (and still underrated) QB who could beat you up on both sides of the ball and did so with impunity. Don Shula - for me - is the greatest HC of all time. That he coached 33 seasons and only had 2 losing seasons is incredible really. And 6 SB appearances while using 6 different QBs to get there - Unitas, Morrall, Griese, Morrall again, Woodley, Strock, Marino is a testament to his genius. Not to knock BB but he hasn’t done anything impressive pre or post Brady. Let’s call it like it is. That Miami dynasty was one for the ages. And perfection cannot be beaten. Only matched. And 50 years later, people are still trying. Amazing

 

[FinsGonnaRock06]

Man the thing I hate the most is watching my child hood idols turning into, in some cases frail old Men. I also think it's been so sad watching some of them pass way to early. I definitely teared up with the Intro before the Steelers game with Shula talking first thing. I desperately want this Franchise to achieve greatness again and SOON.

 

[Bob512]

Man the thing I hate the most is watching my child hood idols turning into, in some cases frail old Men. I also think it's been so sad watching some of them pass way to early. I definitely teared up with the Intro before the Steelers game with Shula talking first thing. I desperately want this Franchise to achieve greatness again and SOON.

I hear you on the age thing.....but looking at Czonka the other night and he looks just as tough as he did in 73. Yes, older and slimmer, but still has that look.

I can recall watching him run and him moving the ball from one arm to the other just before contact......not to protect the ball, but to lay a hit on the defender trying to tackle him.

Great teams, great run and a fun time to be a Fins fan

 

[BlueFin]

I know I am biased but that dynasty - and I would argue it was a 5-season dynasty 1970-1974 - was the smartest football team ever assembled. I really believe that. Perhaps the Pats teams that won 3 times in 4 years in the early 2000’s were comparable but that’s it. It was a cerebral team - led by a very cerebral (and still underrated) QB who could beat you up on both sides of the ball and did so with impunity. Don Shula - for me - is the greatest HC of all time. That he coached 33 seasons and only had 2 losing seasons is incredible really. And 6 SB appearances while using 6 different QBs to get there - Unitas, Morrall, Griese, Morrall again, Woodley, Strock, Marino is a testament to his genius. Not to knock BB but he hasn’t done anything impressive pre or post Brady. Let’s call it like it is. That Miami dynasty was one for the ages. And perfection cannot be beaten. Only matched. And 50 years later, people are still trying. Amazing

All true….

Ultimately it was the decay of the Dolphin front office that kept the Shula era from equaling the Patriot run that followed.

They also didn’t have the advantage of complete free agency during Shula!

 

[BlueFin]

I hear you on the age thing.....but looking at Czonka the other night and he looks just as tough as he did in 73. Yes, older and slimmer, but still has that look.

I can recall watching him run and him moving the ball from one arm to the other just before contact......not to protect the ball, but to lay a hit on the defender trying to tackle him.

Great teams, great run and a fun time to be a Fins fan

And Csonka is still sharp as tack if you listen to him speak!

 

[Rev Kev]

And Csonka is still sharp as tack if you listen to him speak!

Even with all those head injuries? Impossible

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

All true….

Ultimately it was the decay of the Dolphin front office that kept the Shula era from equaling the Patriot run that followed.

They also didn’t have the advantage of complete free agency during Shula!

I also believe Shula would have had more success in the salary cap era. When the talent was close to equal, Shula's teams came out on top.

Also, maybe Griese plays for 20 years in today's game. I know it's all speculation, but Joe Robbie was a notorious cheap skate while other teams spent the money. I wouldn't doubt that the Dolphins were in the bottom third payroll wise during most of those years.

I would love to see the salary of that SF team in 1984 compared to the Dolphins from the same year. I'm sure it would be eye opening.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I know I am biased but that dynasty - and I would argue it was a 5-season dynasty 1970-1974 - was the smartest football team ever assembled. I really believe that. Perhaps the Pats teams that won 3 times in 4 years in the early 2000’s were comparable but that’s it. It was a cerebral team - led by a very cerebral (and still underrated) QB who could beat you up on both sides of the ball and did so with impunity. Don Shula - for me - is the greatest HC of all time. That he coached 33 seasons and only had 2 losing seasons is incredible really. And 6 SB appearances while using 6 different QBs to get there - Unitas, Morrall, Griese, Morrall again, Woodley, Strock, Marino is a testament to his genius. Not to knock BB but he hasn’t done anything impressive pre or post Brady. Let’s call it like it is. That Miami dynasty was one for the ages. And perfection cannot be beaten. Only matched. And 50 years later, people are still trying. Amazing

Dick Anderson was similar to Bob Griese on the defensive side. Just an incredibly intelligent football team that didn’t make many mistakes.

 

[BlueFin]

Even with all those head injuries? Impossible

Listen to his interview On fish tank etc etc…..

He’s a different cat!

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Listen to his interview On fish tank etc etc…..

He’s a different cat!

Of all the players on that team, he's definitely one of the best in front of the microphone or during an interview. Morris and Fernandez come to mind as well.

 

[zullo1]

I was at the game and the celebration of the 72 team was pretty weak to say the least. I expected a lot more fanfare and maybe have them ride around the field so that all could see and cheer them. Instead, they just lined up on one side of the field and it was over before you blinked. Bad job by the organization.

 

['Deep]

Even with all those head injuries? Impossible

Larry Little still looks good. One of the most underrated O-lineman in history. Idc, if he is in the HoF, he never got his due. Him and Jim Langer both.