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Shula in Conference Championship Games

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Giving some respect to one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. Shula was 6-2 in conference championship games, including his time in Baltimore.

Here's the list....

1968 34-0 Baltimore over Cleveland
1972 21-0 Miami over Baltimore
1973 21-17 Miami over Pittsburgh
1974 27-10 Miami over Oakland
1983 14-0 Miami over NY Jets
1985 45-28 Miami over Pittsburgh
1986 31-14 New England over Miami
1993 29-10 Buffalo over Miami

Shula's teams outscored their opponents 186-115 in those eight games, including three shutouts. In his first six conference championships, Shula's teams outscored their opponents 162-55.
 
andyahs said:
Don Shula deserved more Super Bowl wins as a Head Coach.

Was such a great coach but fate, players, coordinators, better teams always denied him.

His integrity of the game will never be matched.
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I think Shula would have won more super bowls during the salary cap Era.

When his teams were close to the talent level of the opponents, Shula won with regularity.

The salary cap is designed for that. You don't see the disparity in pay roll that used to exist.
 
SF Dolphin Fan said:
I think Shula would have won more super bowls during the salary cap Era.

When his teams were close to the talent level of the opponents, Shula won with regularity.

The salary cap is designed for that. You don't see the disparity in pay roll that used to exist.
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You bring up a great point that isn't really ever considered.

We often talk about the numerous rule changes that has affected offensive player production, but in terms of team and coaching dominance -- the introduction of free agency in 1993 and subsequently the salary cap in 1994 were game changers.

It surely was easier for dynasties to exists prior to FA and the salary cap. Conversely, it was harder and took longer to lift a team from the bottom to the top.

It's an interesting thing to think about how Shula would have fared in today's game.
 
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SF Dolphin Fan said:
I think Shula would have won more super bowls during the salary cap Era.

When his teams were close to the talent level of the opponents, Shula won with regularity.

The salary cap is designed for that. You don't see the disparity in pay roll that used to exist.
Click to expand...
In his early years he would have adjusted to the salary cap as he did the game but don't think he was ready for that later on in his career.
 
SF Dolphin Fan said:
I think Shula would have won more super bowls during the salary cap Era.

When his teams were close to the talent level of the opponents, Shula won with regularity.

The salary cap is designed for that. You don't see the disparity in pay roll that used to exist.
Click to expand...
Also free agency would have helped offset some truly dismal drafting. They couldn’t figure out running back and some other positions.

When it comes to taking a roster and figuring out how to win with what you’ve got, often requiring diverse strategies, Shula was second to none.
 
EJay said:
You bring up a great point that isn't really ever considered.

We often talk about the numerous rule changes that has affected offensive player production, but in terms of team and coaching dominance -- the introduction of free agency in 1993 and subsequently the salary cap in 1994 were game changers.

Is surely was easier for dynasties to exists prior to FA and the salary cap. Conversely, it was harder and took longer to lift a team from the bottom to the top.

It's an interesting thing to think about how Shula would have fared in today's game.
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For the most part, since the salary cap was put into effect, we haven't seen many Super Bowl blowouts either.

That was common prior to that change.

Don't know if Shula could have matched what we've seen from Bellicheck, but I do believe he would have had more championships than two.
 
Austin Tatious said:
Also free agency would have helped offset some truly dismal drafting. They couldn’t figure out running back and some other positions.

When it comes to taking a roster and figuring out how to win with what you’ve got, often requiring diverse strategies, Shula was second to none.
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Great point. Coaching has always been important, but the salary cap Era just seems like the perfect design for Don Shula.
 
andyahs said:
In his early years he would have adjusted to the salary cap as he did the game but don't think he was ready for that later on in his career.
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Right. Had he started his career in the salary cap time, have to think a few more titles could have been won.

Also, he could have potentially had a franchise quarterback for a longer duration with the current rules that protect the quarterback.
 
Bopkin02 said:
Great thread, great points.
Also remember- Shula had Marino at his prime, and if that had been a salary cap era contract, what percentage of the cap would Marino have eaten up?
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Wow. Can you imagine that salary? On the other hand, maybe Marino never has the achilles injury and plays for 23 years.
 
Shula’s final ten seasons were not great. Averaged just under 9 wins a season, won the division only twice, missed the playoffs in 6 of those ten seasons, and won just one non-wildcard playoff game during that span— with one of the greatest QBs to ever play the game.
 
SF Dolphin Fan said:
Right. Had he started his career in the salary cap time, have to think a few more titles could have been won.

Also, he could have potentially had a franchise quarterback for a longer duration with the current rules that protect the quarterback.
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This is a great, great point. Bob Griese finally retired from the accumulation of injuries he sustained. Look at footage of Marino getting knocked on his ass after every throw in the SB (all of those are late hits today). Unitas was battered when Shula coached him. It’s safe to say he would have gotten more seasons out of all of these great QBs than he did.
 
Adam Strange said:
Shula’s final ten seasons were not great. Averaged just under 9 wins a season, won the division only twice, missed the playoffs in 6 of those ten seasons, and won just one non-wildcard playoff game during that span— with one of the greatest QBs to ever play the game.
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That's true. He may have coached for too long.

I think he was so too loyal to some assistant coaches who didn't deserve to stick around as well.

Lots of bad drafts, so maybe he still outperformed the talent level of the team???
 
I will miss seeing Shula on the sidelines til the day I die. I still remember the first game I saw Miami play live. '86 season opener in SD. It was almost a religious experience seeing him in person. Olivadotti's D gave up 50 that day.
 
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