Top 10 Dolphins players of All-Time

With the news in the Dolphins off-season slowing down until training camp, I guess it would be time to get a list post going. And We’ll go with the top 10 Dolphins players of All-Time. These were determined on my knowledge of Dolphins football and what they have done for the team. Honorable mentions for this list are Norm Evans, Jake Scott, Jason Taylor, Richmond Webb and Mark Clayton. Now to the list…

10.) Safety Dick Anderson

Dick was the leader of the Secondary for the ‘72 Dolphins and earned three Pro Bowls and 3 All Pro Selections during his tenure with the Dolphins. Anderson was the all-time take away leader in Dolphins history. As well as helping the secondary he was a solid Special Teamer as well. He brought home the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1973, after the Dolphins second Super Bowl win.

9.) Linebacker Nick Buoniconti

Nick was the heart of the No Name Defense of the 70’s for the Dolphins. Buoniconti was the teams MVP 3 years during his span with the team and was a Pro Bowler 2 times (AFL All Star 6 times). Nick was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001.

8.) Linebacker Zach Thomas

Zach Thomas although not on the best of teams even with Dan Marino, He was the soul of the Miami Dolphins defense through the 90’s and 2000’s. He amassed 7 Pro Bowls with the Dolphins, as well as 7 All Pro team selections. Thomas was tagged as undersized at his position going into the draft in 1995, but now is a future Hall of Famer.

7.) Quarterback Bob Griese

The leader of the 70’s Dolphins offense, Although he did not win the Super Bowl in ‘72 he did put forth alot into the season. He was a 6 time pro bowler and a 2 time All Pro. He was named the team MVP six times as well. He was considered the cornerstone of the Franchise by Don Shula, and his number is now retired and is apart of the Dolphins Honor Roll. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.

6.) Center Jim Langer

Langer was discovered as the great center he is the undefeated season in ‘72, From there on he was selected to 6 Pro Bowls and had 6 All Pro selections. Langer was one piece of the amazing Dolphins line in the 70’s and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

5.) Offensive Guard Larry Little

Little was apart of the ‘72 undefeated season although originally drafted by the Chargers. Little helped the rushing attack of Mercury Morris and Larry Csonka on the way to the undefeated season. Little was a 4 time Pro Bowler (one time AFL all star), Named All Pro 6 times and was named offensive lineman of the year 3 times straight. In 1993 Little was inducted into the Hall of Fame and would go on to be proclaimed one of the Dolphins Best Guards in team history.

4.) Fullback Larry Csonka

One part of the two headed monster of Morris and Csonka, Csonka is the all time leading rusher despite being a fullback. Csonka was a 5 time Pro Bowler and the MVP of Super Bowl VIII. He was a very powerful runner and Jim Langer had this to say about him.

You could be in the middle of your block, and you could tell when he hit the line. Everything went forward two or three yards.

Csonka’s number was retired and as well he is apart of the Dolphins Honor Roll. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

3.) Center Dwight Stephenson

Stephenson can be considered one of the best Centers ever despite knee injuries that ended his career.  Stephenson had 5 consecutive Pro Bowl and All Pro Selections, and in 1985 was the Walter Payton Man of the Year. He leas a platoon which allowed the least ammount of sacks in the NFL for 6 straight years. Dwight was selected to the Hall of Fame in 1998.

2.) Wide Receiver Paul Warfield

Although only a Dolphins for 5 years in between stints with the Cleveland Browns, Warfield made the best of it by winning 2 Super Bowls with the Dolphins. Warfield was a Pro Bowler every year he was with the Dolphins and an All Pro Team selection 3 years. Warfield was a threat with the Dolphins who used their run game the most. Warfield was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1983.

1.) Quarterback Dan Marino

No surprise to anybody but the best Dolphins player of all-time is Dan Marino. With a career spread over 17 years with countless MVP’s, Offensive player of the year awards, Pro Bowls and All Pro selections Marino is now the face of the history of the franchise. Marino holds many NFL passing records as well as most of the Dolphins records. Marino led the Dolphins to one Super Bowl but failed to win one, mostly because of the lack of defense on the Dolphins. Marinos number is retired with the Dolphins, He is on the Dolphins honor roll and He entered the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2005.

Some Pictures and Information taken from The Sun-Sentinel

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