Party On for '72 Dolphins

[RiverDog]

It came pretty early this season. With the Cards losing last night, the last undefeated/untied team stumbled, giving the perfect 17-0 1972 Miami Dolphins another year onto their record setting season. Legend has it that the former teammates get together for a toast each season after the last undefeated team loses.

The players are in their mid to late 70's...Backfield mates Larry Czonka and Mercury Morris are 74, Paul Warfield is 78, Bob Griese 76, Mercury Morris 74, Dick Anderson 75. Head coach Don Shula passed away last year at age 90.

[tarlhawk]

Interesting season Miami had. Their star QB Bob Griese got injured early in the season (game 5) and their back-up QB Earl Morral won out the season turning over the reigns to Griese in time for the Super Bowl.

[RiverDog]

Interesting season Miami had. Their star QB Bob Griese got injured early in the season (game 5) and their back-up QB Earl Morral won out the season turning over the reigns to Griese in time for the Super Bowl.

Yep, and Earl Morrall did the same thing for the Colts in '68 when Unitas was hurt, starting for the entire season taking them to the SB and winning the league MVP in the process. Talk about a good backup QB!

The Dolphins were my favorite team back then. I could name the starting lineup, from Center Bob Kuchenburg to guard Larry Little and tackle Norm Evans (an original Seahawk), tight end Jim Mandarich, WR Howard Twilley, DT's Bill Stanfill and Manny Fernandez, Jake Scott and Dick Anderson, et al.

The Dolphins '72 season was no fluke. They were the defending AFC champs having lost to the Cowboys in the SB the previous year and won a 2nd consecutive SB in the succeeding season, first team to appear in three straight SB's.