FinSince1971
FinSince1971
Fan since July 71. My first NFL idols were Griese, Warfield, Csonka et al. Been a long drought, since Marino era, since we've been relevant. 50+ year old fans... How ya holding up?
Since 1971
Since 1971
Senior Fans...lets talk
- Thread starter FinSince1971
- Start date
Im not a senior fan but it had to been amazing watching those guys you listed play. From the footage of the NFL films it sure seems like it was more physical game back then and QB's werent as untouchable as they are now.
I came on board in 70 when they drafted the Big Dog, my idol at Michigan. We've experienced the peak and down in the valley. The thrill of watching Marino then going out to the field with your drunken buddies and pretending that just for a moment when dropping back, you spot Duper on a skinny post with Lester Hayes on him yet you complete the pass with a perfect throw. You still talk excitedly when recalling the 82 playoff game that was dubbed "the game no one should have lost." Although we walked away disappointed somehow being involved in when of the greatest games ever played eases the pain slightly.
We watched Shula construct a team of older 1st round draft choices that underachieved miserably. Sometimes I think it was this season that fans started buzzing that the game had passed by "The Don". We witnessed the dawn of a new era when JJ was hired brushing off the fact that Shula was run out of town much like Tom Landry was. We suffered through JJ's great defenses while ignoring the offense at one point turning it over to Kippy Brown. Our younger fans no the history over the last decade and have experienced nothing spectacular on the field. I applaud them for staying with the Dolphins over the last 10 years because this has been a tumultuous decade. A decade when we seem to get it right on one side of the ball but not the other, except of course in 2007 when everything went against the Dolphins except one special play that we'll cherish forever and be deeply grateful to Greg Camarillo for saving us fronm being the only imperfect team at the time.
We've been through a lot of ups and downs and at time I am very critical of ownership, coaching staffs and players that fall short of expectations and after 40 years I think I have the right to be. On the other hand I have forgiven those who went to the enemy, fumbled at the absolute wrong time and sent a sure FG just wide in the playoffs. Some of us have been on board a long, long time and it is our passion for this franchise that evokes our frustration not our lack of being a "true fan".
We watched Shula construct a team of older 1st round draft choices that underachieved miserably. Sometimes I think it was this season that fans started buzzing that the game had passed by "The Don". We witnessed the dawn of a new era when JJ was hired brushing off the fact that Shula was run out of town much like Tom Landry was. We suffered through JJ's great defenses while ignoring the offense at one point turning it over to Kippy Brown. Our younger fans no the history over the last decade and have experienced nothing spectacular on the field. I applaud them for staying with the Dolphins over the last 10 years because this has been a tumultuous decade. A decade when we seem to get it right on one side of the ball but not the other, except of course in 2007 when everything went against the Dolphins except one special play that we'll cherish forever and be deeply grateful to Greg Camarillo for saving us fronm being the only imperfect team at the time.
We've been through a lot of ups and downs and at time I am very critical of ownership, coaching staffs and players that fall short of expectations and after 40 years I think I have the right to be. On the other hand I have forgiven those who went to the enemy, fumbled at the absolute wrong time and sent a sure FG just wide in the playoffs. Some of us have been on board a long, long time and it is our passion for this franchise that evokes our frustration not our lack of being a "true fan".
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FuhrerHubbs
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Well I'm not quite as old as you, but I was born in 65 haha so almost. I'll always miss the teams the Don would put together over todays crumby management.
finfan54
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the days of berating players into perfection are over...not quite a senior, im 46. came abour 1971 as well rooting for dolphins in super bowl vs. dallas. most depressing loss ever was vs. oakland in 74 playoff game with the snake falling down but gets ball off to the TE in the end zone.
aaahhh! heartbreaker. but oh well, 2 won superbowls prior. That was good! only true smash mouth football team in history IMO.
aaahhh! heartbreaker. but oh well, 2 won superbowls prior. That was good! only true smash mouth football team in history IMO.
hab321
Active Roster
I'm a convert from the Deadskins back in '72. I realized a few years back that during the Shula years you knew we were going to win 8-9 games easy. Shula would pull out a win or two against better teams and usually loose one or two against lesser teams. But in the end, you knew we were going to the playoffs. Nowadays I have no clue how this team is going to do.
Worst game for me was the '82 SB. I still can't watch Riggins pulling away from McNeal. Best game for me was '82 regular season game against the Jets at home (19-17 win). Von Foot (one of my favorite Phins) kicked the game winner as time was running out, oh and the '82 AFC championship game......one of the sloppiest, but best games I've seen.
Worst game for me was the '82 SB. I still can't watch Riggins pulling away from McNeal. Best game for me was '82 regular season game against the Jets at home (19-17 win). Von Foot (one of my favorite Phins) kicked the game winner as time was running out, oh and the '82 AFC championship game......one of the sloppiest, but best games I've seen.
53, I was there when Griese took over for Stofa against Denver. The last 15 years have been hard to take. It looks like we are turning it around, although the jury's still out. I'm ever hopeful for the building to continue and (almost) always look forward to football season.
FinSince1971
FinSince1971
Remember the Christmas Day 71 AFC championship? I was 14, watched with my 12 yr old brother. 12 Hall of Famers played in that game
Since 1971
Since 1971
FinSince1971
FinSince1971
Ted I love ya as a Dolphin fan but cant help but comment on the Michigan thing. Funny, I'm a Buckeye parent. Have a son whos a junior at OSU. Ironic how diverse fans of a team are.
Since 1971
Since 1971
Hooked since '75....the recent past has really sucked. Miss the Orange Bowl, Shula, Don Strock, the hook and ladder, Nat Moore, Crash Jensen and the killer bees.
Those were the days...keeping the faith though. Tired of listening to my kids ask why I follow a team that sucks. lol
Those were the days...keeping the faith though. Tired of listening to my kids ask why I follow a team that sucks. lol
hoops
Tua time!
it smells like an old folks home in here
McPhin
Practice Squad
That Stabler pass was actually to Clarence Davis the HB. Vern Den Herder was dragging the snake down and Davis was surrounded by THREE defenders and still came down with the ball! I cried behind the couch (6 yrs. old) for hours....Lol. I've been a Dolphins fan since I was 4 as I had an older brother that cheered for the CHAMPS at the time!
A Different Perspective
Thanks for starting this thread. It's fun to read the posted memories... even the painful ones.
I've been a fan since before the 70s Super Bowl teams, and nothing has topped that rise from laughing stock to undefeated icon. But win or lose, it certainly was a joy to watch Marino throw the football every week for so many years. Not returning to the promised land has been frustrating, and I'd add to the major disappointment's list the loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship game that denied us of a Super Bowl rematch with the Bears. We might have given them there only 2 losses of the season and Dan might have gotten his ring.
But here's the different perspective I wanted to share. My first love in sports was the New York Rangers, a team that hadn't won a Stanley Cup since 1940. When they finally broke the epic streak of failure, 54 years had passed between championships. I learned early on as a sports fan just how difficult it is to be the last team standing at season's end. And with expansion, the odds against all teams continue to increase. There are expansion teams in all sports that may never win a championship.
So while that doesn't diminish my desire to see the Fins return to glory, it does provide a perspective that allows me to be more positive about our beloved franchise than many of the other posters I read who are ready to fire everyone and start over with every minor signing or perceived missed opportunity.
I actually feel fortunate to follow a team that tries every year. Ownership has not been stingy, and even when they've made bad moves, they've been willing to spend to get better. And most years they've been competitive and have made moves that have provided hope even when it's been of the temporary variety. There are many franchises in all sports that appear mired in mediocrity or all time and in many cases burdened by ownership unwilling to do what it takes to compete.
My NY Rangers experience tells me that keeping the faith over the long run and then finally experiencing that elusive championship season is its own unique reward. It's far superior than abandoning ship to join the latest bandwagon. I remain confident that the Dolphins will win another Super Bowl sooner rather than later. Of course I've been thinking that for a few decades now, but hope (and luck) springs eternal.
Thanks for starting this thread. It's fun to read the posted memories... even the painful ones.
I've been a fan since before the 70s Super Bowl teams, and nothing has topped that rise from laughing stock to undefeated icon. But win or lose, it certainly was a joy to watch Marino throw the football every week for so many years. Not returning to the promised land has been frustrating, and I'd add to the major disappointment's list the loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship game that denied us of a Super Bowl rematch with the Bears. We might have given them there only 2 losses of the season and Dan might have gotten his ring.
But here's the different perspective I wanted to share. My first love in sports was the New York Rangers, a team that hadn't won a Stanley Cup since 1940. When they finally broke the epic streak of failure, 54 years had passed between championships. I learned early on as a sports fan just how difficult it is to be the last team standing at season's end. And with expansion, the odds against all teams continue to increase. There are expansion teams in all sports that may never win a championship.
So while that doesn't diminish my desire to see the Fins return to glory, it does provide a perspective that allows me to be more positive about our beloved franchise than many of the other posters I read who are ready to fire everyone and start over with every minor signing or perceived missed opportunity.
I actually feel fortunate to follow a team that tries every year. Ownership has not been stingy, and even when they've made bad moves, they've been willing to spend to get better. And most years they've been competitive and have made moves that have provided hope even when it's been of the temporary variety. There are many franchises in all sports that appear mired in mediocrity or all time and in many cases burdened by ownership unwilling to do what it takes to compete.
My NY Rangers experience tells me that keeping the faith over the long run and then finally experiencing that elusive championship season is its own unique reward. It's far superior than abandoning ship to join the latest bandwagon. I remain confident that the Dolphins will win another Super Bowl sooner rather than later. Of course I've been thinking that for a few decades now, but hope (and luck) springs eternal.
Orlando Fan
Active Roster
Fan since 69, 53 yrs old, remember all the great games and players that have played for the Fins. For me the 84 Monday night game against the Bears was the best, kept them from a prefect season. The Gods were smiling on the Fins that night.......
As for now it's been frustrating, depending on what happens this year you could very well see a FO change if things go badly. Which means another 3 + yrs of stuck in neutral.
As for now it's been frustrating, depending on what happens this year you could very well see a FO change if things go badly. Which means another 3 + yrs of stuck in neutral.