The 1972 Miami Dolphins: The Smartest Football Team of All Time

In 1965, Joe Robbie and TV star Danny Thomas, were awarded an AFL expansion franchise for the city of Miami. Late that year, a fan contest was held to name the expansion team. I remember sending in my entry as an 11 year old football fan. My vote was for the Miami Sharks. A total of 622 contestants suggested "Dolphins". Team owner Joe Robbie said he liked the name because, "The dolphin is one of the fastest and smartest creatures in the sea." However, the Miami team didn't start out as the smartest fish in the bowl.

George Wilson Jr. was the quarterback of the Dolphins in 1966 throwing for 5 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Not a very good ratio. Miami fans were never happy with what appeared to be blatant nepotism, since the quarterback was the son of head coach George Wilson.

Kentucky quarterback, Rick Norton, was Miami's number one draft pick in late 1965. From 1967 to 1969 he received significant playing time. During this period he threw 3 touchdown passes and 24 interceptions. As a member of the Dolphins "huddle club", I attended every Orange Bowl home game during the Norton era. The huddle club allowed teens to buy season tickets at a very cheap rate for crappy seats way up in a dedicated section in the end zone.

It was fun but the games themselves were most excruciating. I witnessed some of the worst decision making by a quarterback ever made. I still have unpleasant memories from 40 years ago and even today believe that at the age of 15, I could have done a better job at quarterback. Thank goodness the Dolphins finally realized that Norton just couldn't make the transition between college and the pros. The team used their number one pick of 1967 to draft another quarterback, Bob Griese.

The Dolphins were starting to make some bright personnel decisions. In 1968, Larry Csonka was the teams number one draft choice. In 1969 middle linebacker Nick Buoniconti and offensive guard Larry Little were acquired by trade. In 1970, wide receiver Paul Warfield was acquired in a trade for the number one draft pick. Also, in 1970 Don Shula became head coach succeeding George Wilson.

It all came together in 1972. Bob Matheson, acquired in trade for a draft pick the previous year became the key element in the 53 (Matheson's jersey number) defense. He would be brought in as a fourth linebacker in a 3-4 defense, with Manny Fernandez at nose tackle. Matheson could either drop back into pass coverage or rush the quarterback. Proudly nicknamed the "no-name defense", Miami played as a cohesive and smart defensive unit.

Of course, 1972 was the dream season for the Dolphins and their Dol-fans. It was a perfect season. One that has never been duplicated by any other NFL team. In 1972, one of the smartest moves the team made was picking up an old veteran quarterback off waivers ... Earl Morrall. Coach Shula was familiar with Morral from his old team, the Baltimore Colts and felt he would be a good insurance policy. Many forget that during the undefeated season of 1972, the Dolphins had to contend with the temporary loss of their excellent quarterback, Bob Griese, to injury. Morrall capably filled in and the team went 5-0 with him as a starter.

The Dolphins had an outstanding offensive line led by Larry Little and three exceptional running backs in Jim Kiick, Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris. There was no reason to throw the ball much except as a change-up to the run. Mecury Morris and Larry Csonka each averaged 5.25 yards per carry in 1972. Kiick was used mainly as a short yardage and goal line specialist.

It wasn't just the personnel decisions that make the 1972 Dolphins the smartest team of all time. It was the actions of the actual personnel as well. I think of two of the less heralded players, Jake Scott and Larry Seiple, that exemplify the essence of smart and gifted football.

Jake Scott had the uncanny ability to get into the opposing quarterbacks mind. He would routinely take false steps to make it nearly impossible to read which way he was headed. Scott was a seventh round draft choice in 1970 and in the pro bowl between 1971 and 1975. In Super Bowl VII , the culmination of the perfect season, Scott had 2 interceptions and was the most valuable player. Scott was also an excellent punt returner.

Larry Seiple, a seventh round pick in 1967, was the team's punter but so much more. Seiple could also play tight end, wide receiver and even running back. In addition, he could pass the ball and was 3 for 3 during his career with a 23 yard completion average. It was always fun to watch Seiple punt. He would wait for the approaching rush before punting and if the opposing team wasn't careful he would take off for a first down. He averaged approximately 10 yards per rush.

It just all came together for Miami in 1972. The Dolphins were certainly not the most physical or fastest team but I can't think of a smarter group of players and coaches to ever play the game of pro football. Dolphin fans and effected players were able to put those painful expansion years behind them thanks to football smarts and maybe a touch of luck.