- Joined
- Apr 29, 2003
- Messages
- 3,247
- Reaction score
- 611
As most of you know from the media reports, these two will have their names placed on the Dolphins "ring of honor," next season.
It's about time! Dan Marino was the greatest passer I've ever seen (and I've seen them from Unitas forward). But, no matter how great a QB one may be, he needs receivers to make plays. There's no doubt that Danny made Duper and Clayton better, but the same is true of them with respect to Dan. Certainly, there were other targets of Dan's - "Crash" Jensen (always loved him over the middle), Joe Rose, Bruce Hardy, Tony Nathan, Nat Moore, Irving Fryar, Keith Jackson, OJ McDuffie, etc. After Clayton and Duper left the Dolphins, Marino was still in his prime and still had some great games and very solid years. But, they were never as dominant as when those two were in the game.
Duper was the classic speed merchant. A premier deep threat in his day. Though he was not a big WR, his thighs were powerful. There has not been a Dolphin WR since who could get behind the DB's like Duper. There's no telling how many times he caught a Marino bomb after he had separated some 3-5 yards from the DB (you just don't see that kind of separation in the league today, even from the best WR's). I have many favorite games of Duper's, but probably one that sticks out was the opening game of 1984 when the Dolphins beat the Redskins (who were still a great offense) and Marino threw up 5 TD's. Duper had a great game that day. There were several other that year, but it was such an explosive game that I had a strong feeling the Dolphins would be in the SB after it was over.
Clayton was not as fast as Duper, but just as deadly. He had exceptional hands and amazing quickness. His ability to stop on a dime and turn was as good as any. He was Dan's favorite target through the years. He was fearless over the middle. Often Dan would throw the ball into heavy coverage - and Clayton would come down with a spectacular catch. Though he wasn't as fast as Duper, he was often able to go deep as well, with his great moves, route running and leaping ability. There are several great catches I remember from Clayton's years. He had an awesome leaping grab at the edge of the endzone against Pittsburgh in the AFC championship game that propelled us into the SB in '84. He had a great game against the Cowboys on MNF, later that year. The catch off the helmet of a Bears player which went for a TD in one of the greatest Dolphin games of all time in 1985, when Marino/Clayton/Duper and company single-handedly kept the Bears from going undefeated (they went 18-1 that year).
My favorite Clayton grab however, one I can see as vividly today as when it happened, was in a 1991 playoff victory against the Chiefs at home. We trailed 16-3 and won 17-16 (I believe). The Dolphins were driving and down near the 10 yard line when Marino threw an "out" to Clayton who was blanketed by the Chiefs CB. But, Dan threw the ball the only place it could not be knocked down or picked off - it was a low bullet at the shins. Catching a pass like that, while standing up is very difficult to do. Especially one that is just rifled, as this was. Clayton, coming back to the ball (moving away from the Chiefs endzone) snagged it out of the air about a foot off the ground (the ball was just inches under the CB's hand - any higher and it would be knocked down or picked), near the 10 yard line. Not only was it a great catch, but the instinctive move he made after that was just as spectacular. The moment the ball hit his hands his foot was planted and he whirled away from the DB and pranced into the endzone. How that ball made it to the endzone without touching the ground ... it still amazes me! I remember just sitting there with my jaw open!
Two great WR's who brought countless thrills to the Dolphins along with Marino. Marino to the Marks brothers - one of the greatest passing trio's, if not the greatest, of all time. Yes, they deserve to be there.
It's about time! Dan Marino was the greatest passer I've ever seen (and I've seen them from Unitas forward). But, no matter how great a QB one may be, he needs receivers to make plays. There's no doubt that Danny made Duper and Clayton better, but the same is true of them with respect to Dan. Certainly, there were other targets of Dan's - "Crash" Jensen (always loved him over the middle), Joe Rose, Bruce Hardy, Tony Nathan, Nat Moore, Irving Fryar, Keith Jackson, OJ McDuffie, etc. After Clayton and Duper left the Dolphins, Marino was still in his prime and still had some great games and very solid years. But, they were never as dominant as when those two were in the game.
Duper was the classic speed merchant. A premier deep threat in his day. Though he was not a big WR, his thighs were powerful. There has not been a Dolphin WR since who could get behind the DB's like Duper. There's no telling how many times he caught a Marino bomb after he had separated some 3-5 yards from the DB (you just don't see that kind of separation in the league today, even from the best WR's). I have many favorite games of Duper's, but probably one that sticks out was the opening game of 1984 when the Dolphins beat the Redskins (who were still a great offense) and Marino threw up 5 TD's. Duper had a great game that day. There were several other that year, but it was such an explosive game that I had a strong feeling the Dolphins would be in the SB after it was over.
Clayton was not as fast as Duper, but just as deadly. He had exceptional hands and amazing quickness. His ability to stop on a dime and turn was as good as any. He was Dan's favorite target through the years. He was fearless over the middle. Often Dan would throw the ball into heavy coverage - and Clayton would come down with a spectacular catch. Though he wasn't as fast as Duper, he was often able to go deep as well, with his great moves, route running and leaping ability. There are several great catches I remember from Clayton's years. He had an awesome leaping grab at the edge of the endzone against Pittsburgh in the AFC championship game that propelled us into the SB in '84. He had a great game against the Cowboys on MNF, later that year. The catch off the helmet of a Bears player which went for a TD in one of the greatest Dolphin games of all time in 1985, when Marino/Clayton/Duper and company single-handedly kept the Bears from going undefeated (they went 18-1 that year).
My favorite Clayton grab however, one I can see as vividly today as when it happened, was in a 1991 playoff victory against the Chiefs at home. We trailed 16-3 and won 17-16 (I believe). The Dolphins were driving and down near the 10 yard line when Marino threw an "out" to Clayton who was blanketed by the Chiefs CB. But, Dan threw the ball the only place it could not be knocked down or picked off - it was a low bullet at the shins. Catching a pass like that, while standing up is very difficult to do. Especially one that is just rifled, as this was. Clayton, coming back to the ball (moving away from the Chiefs endzone) snagged it out of the air about a foot off the ground (the ball was just inches under the CB's hand - any higher and it would be knocked down or picked), near the 10 yard line. Not only was it a great catch, but the instinctive move he made after that was just as spectacular. The moment the ball hit his hands his foot was planted and he whirled away from the DB and pranced into the endzone. How that ball made it to the endzone without touching the ground ... it still amazes me! I remember just sitting there with my jaw open!
Two great WR's who brought countless thrills to the Dolphins along with Marino. Marino to the Marks brothers - one of the greatest passing trio's, if not the greatest, of all time. Yes, they deserve to be there.
