'72 Dolphins Speak

1972 DOLPHINS STATEMENTS ON PATRIOTS



Head Coach Don Shula

“Going undefeated during the regular season is a remarkable achievement. I know first hand how difficult it is to win every game, and just as we did in 1972, the Patriots have done a great job concentrating on each week’s opponent and not letting any other distractions interrupt that focus. If they go on to complete an undefeated season, I will be the first to congratulate Coach Belichick and the Patriot organization.”



Defensive Tackle Manny Fernandez

“Congratulations to the Patriots for winning all of their regular season games. If they finish without a loss, it’s almost going to be a relief to me. That way, the media will start to call them the first eight or nine games each year whenever a team starts undefeated instead of calling us. That will give us a break.”



Quarterback Bob Griese

“I want to congratulate the Patriots on going undefeated during the regular season. I know Tom Brady well because he played at Michigan with my son, Brian. I’ve followed his career ever since then and have the greatest respect for him as a player. He is having one of the greatest seasons ever by an NFL quarterback, and his outstanding performance has been a major factor in the Patriots’ success this year. I hope he continues to play at such a high level in the playoffs, and if he does it will be very difficult to beat them the rest of the way.”



Running Back Jim Kiick

“If they finish up undefeated, I would be the one of the first to help lift their chair up on the mountaintop. Going undefeated in the regular season is a great accomplishment. But I’m sure going 16-0 isn’t important to them – they wan to go 19-0. If they finish 18-1 by losing the Super Bowl, there’s no doubt they would look at it as a disappointing season. And that’s the way we viewed it back in 1972. Our main objective wasn’t going undefeated, it was to win the Super Bowl. So it’s great that they’ve gotten this far, but I know what’s really important to them is to win that last game, not necessarily all the ones before it.”



Guard Bob Kuechenberg

“They’ve done a heck of a job thus far. But now the exhibition season is over and the real season begins. Obviously, if they can win their first playoff game, beat an even more dangerous Colts team, and then Brett Favre or the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl, I will be the first to take my hat off to them. If they can pull it off, they will have earned it.

“But my heart is dead set against it. The ’72 team in uniquely immortal in American sports and I don’t want us to lose that special place. We will forever be immortal, and if they win every game in front of them, then they will join us among those ranks. They will have deserved it ant I will congratulate them. But something in my heart makes me feel that we accomplished something so special that it forever sets the standard of excellence in sports.

“Imperfect is mortal. Perfect is immortal.”



Tight End Jim Mandich

“My sincerest congratulations go out to the Patriots. In this salary cap-era, free agency-era, I didn’t think it could be done, and the Patriots did it. They are a remarkable team. They are terrifically coached, and if somebody was going to tie the Miami Dolphins record in the regular season of going unbeaten, it’s appropriate that it would be the Patriots because they are a class act.”



Quarterback Earl Morrall

“I’d like to congratulate the New England Patriots. They’ve had a great run and a great season in winning all of their games. I’m sure if they look at it, it’s a difficult thing to do. They play great football, so you’ve got to compliment them on that. Now you’ve got to see if they can finish it and go the distance – the playoffs, championship and Super Bowl. You’ve got those to go to end up perfect, and we’ll be the first ones to congratulate them if they do it.”



Running Back Mercury Morris

“My feeling about it is as consistent as it has been all year. It doesn’t matter to me whether or not they win them all because it doesn’t affect anything we’ve done. When all the dust clears, the best they can do is to stand beside us, and in the end, that’s not a bad thing. I will welcome them to the neighborhood with my Mr. Rogers sweater on, but first they have

Dolphins vs. Pats Running Blog

Thought I'd tell you exactly what I think as it happens. Enjoy!

--Great start, three and out, two drops and you gave the Pat's great field position.

--Good job by the 'Phins letting Wes Welker go he only has 97 catches and over 1,000 yards receiving. Tom Brady really took his time this game it took him 10 plays and over five minutes to score.

--New England 7 Miami 0

--Another solid outing by the 'Phins offense, one run and two crappy pass plays.

--Do you think Bill Parcells and Jason Garrett are watching this game and wondering if Bill can fire Cam Cameron tomorrow and name Garrett the coach.

--Joey Porter is great it only took him 30 seconds to get to Brady.

--Why is Belichick punting, did he take the under?

--Nice job by Cam to wait 'til the third series to start running, did Bill make a phone call?

--Hey Joey Porter is pretty fast, he ran right next to Lawrence Maroney for 30 yards for he decided he wanted to make a tackle.

End of the 1st Q

New England 7 Miami 0

--I like how all week the defensive players were saying that they need to get pressure on Brady and Cam has decided to rush three guys.

--Travis Daniels is awful he is the definition of the '07 Dolphins, he has gotten worst as the season has gone on.

--Hey, Randy Moss scores again...at least no Dolphin got hurt on this one.

--New England 14 Miami 0

--If people really did freak out if/when Burger King took the "Whopper" off the menu then I am embarrassed to be a human being.

--The commentators have already given up on this game, they're talking playoff situations for other teams.

--That was quick Maroney scores again !!! on a personal note I'm pissed he did crap all year for my fantasy team. He now has two runs for over 50 yards and one touchdown.

--New England 21 Miami 0

--This is sad the Dolphins offense is pathetic but there is hope 'Phins recover a muffed punt...how long until they screw this up? My bet is four plays.

--One play, Jesse Chatman puts the team in a huge hole by running backwords again I underestimate how bad this team is.

--Another QB ties and will soon break a Dan Marino record, the perfect season continues. Tom Brady now has 48 TD's after his pass to Jabar Gaffney.

--New England 28 Miami 0

--Nice pass by Cleo Lemon to David Martin too bad it was ruined by another bad call by Cam Cameron. Why would you spike the ball with 1:11 to go and your playing the Pats? Did you want to the Pats more time?

--Half Time

New England 28 Miami 0

--Hey Dolpins make a play a Jason Alle INT, but then he decides to run it out of the end zone and gets taken down at the 10. Why does this team always do something wrong even when they make a good play?

--Why would Cleo run out of bounds instead of into the end zone, what is he thinking. It's being reviewed, no way it's a touchday.

--Touchdown Greg "Rich" Camarillo, nice pass nice throw, both are worthless in this game.

--New Enland 28 Miami 7

--End of 3Q

New England 28 Miami 7

--Strange that Ted Ginn is getting so many passes, seems like someone is trying to justify his guys to Bill Parcells.

--How the hell does John Beck not throw a pass in this game?

--Game Over

New England 28 Miami 7

--Smile Dolphans only one more game of this crap.

Miami Basketball Give me a Break

The hype surrounding Miami Hurricanes basketball is just that hype, this team is a low end mid level team in the ACC.

The 'Canes have beaten Florida Southern, Marist, Virginia Commonwealth, Morgan State, Alabama State, Florida International, Stetson, North Florida and North Carolina A & T. Wow, let me call Ripley's and see if they believe that the 'Canes ran through a collection of Sun-Belt, Atlantic Sun and MEAC teams.

Now I know that all 'Cane fans are going to point to Providence, Mississippi State and St.Johns as proof that the 'Canes are for real. Lets take a look at each team a little closer.

Providence - The Friars are 8-3 on the season with quality wins over Arkansas and Florida State. Their win over the Razorbacks just happened to be the game before their match-up with the 'Canes. I'm inclined to believe that Providence didn't take the 'Canes seriously and were overconfident after pulling off a upset a few nights earlier.

Mississippi State - The Bulldogs gave the 'Canes a good run, losing 64-58, good the know that a last place team can test the 'Canes. The Bulldogs are last in the SEC West and just lost to Texas A & M Corpus Cristi.

St.Johns - The Red Storm are third from last in the Big East, 5-4 overall. No surprise that St.Johns has nothing that resembles a quality win.

Lets take a look at the numbers.

The 'Canes have only three players in double figures in scoring, no player is close to double figures in rebounds and not a single player averages even five assist a game. A good team would not only be racking up wins against this pathetic schedule, they would be piling up stats.

The rest of the Schedule

This next month will show what the 'Canes really are...pretenders.

Georgia Tech(1/12)Boston College (1/15), at North Carolina St. (1/19), North Carolina (1/25), Clemson (1/27), at Wake Forrest (1/29).

Sorry South Florida sports fan, 'Canes basketball is not the winner you hoped it would be. In fact don't be surprised if they don't even make the NCAA tournament, the NCAA doesn't care about great starts they care about how you finish.

Tuna Surprise

Baring any last minute changes, it looks like Bill Parcells will be heading to the Miami Dolphins to be their new Vice President of Football Operations. Published reports have the "Big Tuna" signing a contract within the next 48 hours and that means changing in the front office and coaching staff could be coming soon.

Oddly Cam Cameron's job could be safe, even stranger, Bobby Knight might be the reason why. Parcells and Cameron are friends with Knight which by default may make Cameron a "Parcells Guy." Randy Mueller has to be on his way out the door because Parcells will want to be to hands on for someone like Mueller to accept.

The players, they didn't seem to really care....yet. Jason Taylor saw the report and laughed, saying that ESPN isn't always right and Joey Porter was cut off before he had a chance to answer. Vonnie Holliday seemed intrigued by the possibility of having the "Big Tuna" in house, he said "he's (Parcells) a guy that's going to get things turned around."

One thing is for sure, Cam won't be able to continue to bring in strays like Cleo Lemon and Greg Camarillo. Parcells is looking for young, athletic and extremely talented players so look for someone with a skill set like Patrick Clayton, instead of Camarillo around the locker room. No longer will this team be filled with "good guys" like Matt Roth instead look for players like Tank Johnson around the 'Phins. I'm all for it, this years team has proven that nice guys do finish last.


A few notes from Practice


Channing Crowder and Cameron Worrell both had knee surgerys. Worrell is out for the season, Crowder still up in the air.

Jason Taylor (Ankle) Joey Porter (Shoulder) and Keith Traylor (Knee), all did not practice today.

Jesse Chatman will likely be a game time decision.