So exactly how awful was David Woodley?

[kidphoenix96]

For those long time fin fans on here who remember the wood-strock days why didn't Don Shula just bench Woodley for Don Strock permanently or look to find a replacement after the 81' season. I am glad he did wait so long because of Dan Marino but don't you would think that Shula would've had it with him after constantly benching him?

 

[mahmacoat]

worse than Joe Montana, better than Jim Druckenmiller

 

[LandShark13]

For those long time fin fans on here who remember the wood-strock days why didn't Don Shula just bench Woodley for Don Strock permanently or look to find a replacement after the 81' season. I am glad he did wait so long because of Dan Marino but don't you would think that Shula would've had it with him after constantly benching him?

He wasn't awful at all. In fact he was good enough to take us to a Superbowl.

 

[joeharley666]

He wasn't awful at all. In fact he was good enough to take us to a Superbowl.

He didn't take us to the Super Bowl. It was a combination of WoodStrock and the Killer B's

Personally, he had tools but when given the starting role he sucked, he was a depressed man who hated the spotlight and it showed on the field

 

[fishfanmiami]

They had the Killer B defense and Woodley was a McMahon type of QB who never turned the ball over and often took off running to make big plays.
Strock was a much better passer so when we got behind he usually came in .
Woodley had a hard time just throwing a spiral if I remember correctly :)

The team was so good back then they did not need a superstar at QB.
Then they drafted Danny Boy so we were expecting many , many more super bowls.
Didn't work out that way as you all know.

Here's was wiki says about him

Following the end of the Griese era, quarterback David Woodley became the Dolphins starting quarterback and continued the Dolphin's success. Woodley made it to the playoffs in 1981 and in 1982. During the 1982 season the Dolphins lost in their fourth Super Bowl appearance against the Washington Redskins 17-27. In 1983, Woodley lost the starting job to rookie quarterback Dan Marino. David Woodley is known as being the transition quarterback between Bob Griese and Dan Marino.

Strock was always the back up.

 

[jlfin]

Strock was incapable of playing under center. He was strictly a shotgun QB and never seemed to be able to master the entire offense.
Woodley was a poor man's Tim Tebow. No pocket presence, below average accuracy, slow decision making, but pretty good mobility.
The team went to the SB in spite of Woodley, NOT because of him. Further testament to Shula's greatness. Physical running game and dominant defense.
With an average QB, the Phins beat the Redskins. Woodley was 0/8 in the 2nd half if I recall. The Hogs finally wore down the killer B's in the second half because Woodley could not sustaina drive.
Phins led 17-10 at halftime. Had Marino come out a yr earlier, it would have been an easy win.
Unfortunatey for Marino he ran into a burgeoning dynasty in the 49ers.

 

[BlueFin]

I still wonder what would have happened had we started Strock inSuperbowl 17.....Woodley was absolutely awful in that game and yet we still led going into the 4th quarter...thanks to the number one ranked defense in the NFL...an argument that great defense doesn't always win championships. This game was the final straw for Shula regarding Woodley....physically talented but way too inconsistent...he could look very good and very bad...never knew what you were going to get.

 

[jlfin]

I still wonder what would have happened had we started Strock inSuperbowl 17.....Woodley was absolutely awful in that game and yet we still led going into the 4th quarter...thanks to the number one ranked defense in the NFL...an argument that great defense doesn't always win championships. This game was the final straw for Shula regarding Woodley....physically talented but way too inconsistent...he could look very good and very bad...never knew what you were going to get.

Woodley was talented inasmuch as he was athletic and could run. As an NFL QB, he was horrid. He was a late rd pick with no expectations. He only became a starter because Griese just couldnt physically play effectively any longer.

 

[fishfanmiami]

The comparison to Tebow is accurate. Here's his passing stats.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodDa00.htm

Just over 50% and more ints than touchdowns. Had about 200 yards rushing each years with 3 TD's average.
That kinda says it all.

 

[finforlife]

I still wonder what would have happened had we started Strock inSuperbowl 17.....Woodley was absolutely awful in that game and yet we still led going into the 4th quarter...thanks to the number one ranked defense in the NFL...an argument that great defense doesn't always win championships. This game was the final straw for Shula regarding Woodley....physically talented but way too inconsistent...he could look very good and very bad...never knew what you were going to get.

I heard Shula say years later that if Fulton Walker hadn't returned the kickoff for the touchdown, putting us ahead at the half, he was going to make the switch to Strock. But with the lead, he didn't think making the change was the right thing to do.

He waited probably one quarter too long to put Strock in.

 

[spike owen]

We also would throw to Woodley. I remember being at at least one game where he caught a touchdown pass on the left sideline. That being said, I could stand watching him and was ecstatic when Shula benched him if for Marino in the second half go the Oakland game. Amazing that the Steelers traded for him.

 

[Viggen]

We also would throw to Woodley. I remember being at at least one game where he caught a touchdown pass on the left sideline. That being said, I could stand watching him and was ecstatic when Shula benched him if for Marino in the second half go the Oakland game. Amazing that the Steelers traded for him.

Yes, I was at that game as well! It was an amazing start to the season at Shea stadium against the Jets in 1982. Miami won 45-28 and it wasn't even that close of a game.

I actually think this entire thread is sad talking down Woodley. It's 30+ years later and they went to the playoffs and SB with him. Yes, he wasn't Marino, but I've yet to see a QB besides Pennington that has done that. Fiedler meh...

 

[iwastherein1972]

I saw Woodley play. I saw Tim Tebow play. Woodley was no Tim Tebow. Tebow was much better but Woodley had that quality back then of doing "whatever it takes" to win, unless he fell behind and Strock would come on to save the day.

I was in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 2, 1982. Top row of the lower deck, one seat over from the northeasternmost corner seat in the building. If Andra Franklin doesn't fumble and/or Von Schamann could actually kick in a pressure situation, I would have seen one of the greatest Dolphin playoff wins of all time. Woodley had us buried and Strock ALMOST saved the day. The next year, Woodley was one joe theismann fingertip away from being the most hideous QB ever to win a Super Bowl. He was almost mediocre enough to sneak into the history books but couldn't pull it off. It is no wonder he had the emotional problems and disappeared off the face of the earth after his career ended. A strange and pathetic figure.

 

[fishfanmiami]

Yes, I was at that game as well! It was an amazing start to the season at Shea stadium against the Jets in 1982. Miami won 45-28 and it wasn't even that close of a game.

I actually think this entire thread is sad talking down Woodley. It's 30+ years later and they went to the playoffs and SB with him. Yes, he wasn't Marino, but I've yet to see a QB besides Pennington that has done that. Fiedler meh...

i don't think we are knocking Woodley just saying of the two Strock was a much better passer.
David was an excellent athlete who could run for a 1st down or even catch a pass. Something Strock never did.

 

[jason_taylor]

They had the Killer B defense and Woodley was a McMahon type of QB who never turned the ball over and often took off running to make big plays.
Strock was a much better passer so when we got behind he usually came in .
Woodley had a hard time just throwing a spiral if I remember correctly :)

The team was so good bad then they did not need a superstar at QB.
Then they drafted Danny Boy so we were expecting many , many more super bowls.
Didn't work out that way as you all know.

Here's was wiki says about him

Following the end of the Griese era, quarterback David Woodley became the Dolphins starting quarterback and continued the Dolphin's success. Woodley made it to the playoffs in 1981 and in 1982. During the 1982 season the Dolphins lost in their fourth Super Bowl appearance against the Washington Redskins 17-27. In 1983, Woodley lost the starting job to rookie quarterback Dan Marino. David Woodley is known as being the transition quarterback between Bob Griese and Dan Marino.

Strock was always the back up.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, They had the Killer B defense and Woodley was a McMahon type of QB who never turned the ball over and often took off running to make big plays.
Strock was a much better passer so when we got behind he usually came in .
Woodley had a hard time just throwing a spiral if I remember correctly :)

you are correct , Miami used a combo of Both QBs ....