ABSOLUTE PERFECTION: THE 1972 MIAMI DOLPHINS

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By:  Randy Campbell (OLD DOLFAN)

GAME 11: NOV. 27, 1972 (Monday) – ST. LOUIS at MIAMI

The Miami Dolphins hosted the St. Louis football Cardinals on Monday Night Football the 11th week of the Perfect Season.  This franchise (now known as the Arizona Cardinals) began way back in 1899 as the Morgan Athletic Club in the rough Irish section of the south side of Chicago.  It is the oldest continuous football franchise in pro football history.

In 1920, this team, known as the Chicago Cardinals, joined the American Professional Football Association, which soon became the National Football League.  In 1925, sensational halfback Paddy Driscoll led the Cards to victory in Comiskey Park over the Pottsville Maroons in the NFL Championship 1959_Pennants_Cardinals-300x216Game.  The Chicago Cardinals were purchased in 1932 by Charles Bidwell, Sr., a wealthy Chicago businessman, for $50,000.  After 15 unremarkable seasons, Bidwell went on a spending binge acquiring Charlie Trippi, Marshall Goldberg, Elmer Angsman and rifle-armed quarterback Paul Christman.  This “million dollar backfield” got the Cardinals to the 1947 NFL Championship Game where they defeated the Eagles 28-21.  In 1948, the Cards lost a rematch in the title game 7-0 to Philadelphia.  Eventually, the Cards sank back into mediocrity.  In 1960, Bidwell moved the team to St. Louis, where they shared Busch Stadium with the St. Louis baseball Cardinals.  From 1960 through 1971 this football team continued their losing ways, failing to make the playoffs one single time.  1947 seemed like a million years ago to Cardinal fans!

The 1972 edition of the football Cardinals put together another losing season.  After starting the campaign 2-2, St. Louis went 0-5-1 in their next six games.  At 2-7-1, the red birds already had been eliminated from playoff contention. Wilson_Larry_Action-150x150 Quarterbacks Jim Hart and Gary Cuozzo combined for 10 touchdowns and 16 interceptions during the first 10 games.  Their top two running backs, Donny Anderson and Johnny Roland, averaged 3.5 and 3.9 yards per carry, respectively.  Chicago’s best known wide receiver. future broadcaster Ahmad Rashad, had 29 receptions for 500 yards and three touchdowns.  Future Hall-of-Fame tight end Jackie Smith was infrequently utilized during this season.   Future Hall-of-Fame defensive back Larry Wilson was the leader of the Cardinals defense.  Many experts consider Wilson one of the 10 best safeties to ever play the game.

This contest would represent the Miami Dolphins third appearance on Monday Night Football.  The Dolphins would go on to win their first seven appearances before finally losing a Monday Night Game in 1975.  Head coach Don Shula was concerned that his players were still caught-up in the excitement of their dramatic, heart-pounding, win over the New York Jets eight days ago.  He sensed the team lacked focus as they prepared for this nationally televised game.  The Don of Miami wasn’t about to let his team slack off.  Practices were intense, even though few thought this game would be competitive.

ABC promoted this game as a chance for many Americans to see the undefeated Dolphins for the first time.  Remember, there were only three major TV networks at this point in history.  Most games were regionally televised during the regular season, so many fans had seen very little of the Dolphins run to perfection.  “Are these Dolphins really that good?  Or are they just lucky?” asked Howard Cosell.  “We’ll know in a couple of hours” replied Dandy Don Meredith.

Wide receiver Paul Warfield was banged-up in the ferocious Jets’ game.  Shula decided to start speedy Otto Stowe in place of the all-pro wide receiver.  In the first quarter, Dick Anderson recovered a fumble at the St. Louis 29.  Earl Morrall drove the Dolphins down to the two yard line.  Jim Kiick found a narrow seam and scored, giving Miami a 7-0 lead.  A lethargic second quarter saw Jim Bakken and Garo Yepremian trade field goals for a 10-3 score at intermission.

After the obligatory halftime highlights from Sunday’s games, Cosell and his crew came back on the air.  “The Dolphins certainly didn’t blow me away with their first half performance,” said Cosell.  “Nothing that’s happened here tonight has blown me away,” said Meredith, perhaps in a veiled reference to his alledged marijuana smoking during football broadcasts.

The Dolphins would make a stronger impression in the second half.  Larry Csonka led a 69-yard Miami drive into Cardinals’ territory in the third quarter.  St. Louis moved their linebackers and a defensive back closer to the line of scrimmage.  Seeing this, Earl Morrall tossed a 37-yard bomb to Otto Stowe who easily beat his man for a touchdown!  St. Louis tried to respond.  But intense pressure by 6-foot-6 defensive end Vern Den Herder caused a wild pass that was picked-off by Lloyd Mumphord.  Mumphord returned the interception 28 yards for a touchdown and the Dolphins were in full control, leading 24-3 after three quarters.

After a short Leon Burns TD run for the Cards, Earl Morrall and Otto Stowe hooked-up for a 27-yard scoring strike midway through the final quarter.  The final score was Miami-31, St. Louis-10.  On the night, Morrall completed 12 of 19 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns to Otto Stowe.  Larry Csonka rumbled for 114 yards on only 16 carries.  The “No Name Defense.” led by Den Herder, Anderson and Mumphord, stymied the St. Louis offense.

 Next up: A date with the New England Patriots in Foxborough.   The 1972 Miami Dolphins were now 11-0.

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267 Responses to ABSOLUTE PERFECTION: THE 1972 MIAMI DOLPHINS

  1. jetsssuck says:

    http://www.cnbc.com/id/102292482
    gm shielded from lawsuits concerning faulty ignition switches because lawsuit happened during bankruptcy. This is the company my father swears is the greatest company ever.

  2. Mike E. says:

    2 trade backs, one in the 1st, and one in the 2nd

    Your score is: 7032 (GRADE: A-)

    Your Picks:
    Round 1 Pick 31 (N.O.): Jake Fisher, OT/OG, Oregon (B+)
    Round 2 Pick 12 (N.O.): Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson (B+)
    Round 2 Pick 22 (DET): Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn (A)
    Round 3 Pick 11 (N.O.): Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami (Fla.) (A)
    Round 3 Pick 24 (DET): Gerod Holliman, FS, Louisville (B)
    Round 4 Pick 15: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon (A-)
    Round 5 Pick 13: MyCole Pruitt, TE, Southern Illinois (A+)
    Round 5 Pick 14: Gabe Wright, DT, Auburn (A+)
    Round 6 Pick 15: Karlos Williams, RB, Florida State (A+)

    • Mike E. says:

      I would be ecstatic with this draft. Jump around happy.

    • The Flying Pig says:

      Ifoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

      Whats with your obsessions with Fisher?
      I hate your first pick – but other than that really good draft

      But as you know by now the liklihood of picking up an extra 2nd and 2 thrid rounders is not exactly strong

      • Mike E. says:

        He’s the next best guy that can play Tackle and Guard. I think he gives us a solid insurance against Albert not being ready, and then a guy who could take a starting G spot when he is, like La’el Collins. He’s rated higher than Ja’wuan James was. Don’t be a hater!! lol

  3. Tim Knight says:

    Redskins WR Charlie Taylor also wore #42. I think it was a common WR # back then.

  4. getterdone says:

    Free agent OG Daryn Colledge has retired from the NFL.
    Colledge was limited to 13 games for Miami last year, struggling with injuries and effectiveness. He made 122 consecutive starts from 2007-2014. A former second-round pick, Colledge spent his first five seasons in Green Bay before finishing out his career with the Dolphins

  5. Mike E. says:

    If you guys like black bean soup, I just made a recipe and the soup was OFF THE HOOK!

  6. Tim Knight says:

    Mike E, Colledge was going through severe migraines when he started to slip. Could have been a result of some head trauma. He probably said it’s best I quit while I’m not totally fucked up.

  7. Tim Knight says:

    I read a report where some teams like Fisher over the other OL.The same with Humphries.

  8. finfanrob says:

    Mike E. says:
    April 15, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    If you guys like black bean soup, I just made a recipe and the soup was OFF THE HOOK!

    unless you are banging my mom and stole her recipe i’ll pass. besides only a cuban can make off the hook black beans

  9. Tim Knight says:

    Mike E, if we stand pat at #14 we might go with one of the OL to the chagrin of some here. LOL

  10. getterdone says:

    Colledge is 33, so he knew his best was behind him in light of some injury/migraine issues.
    I wish him well.

  11. Mike E. says:

    I’m friends with Cubans, that’s close enough. It was really good. If any of you are interested, I’ll put up the link.

  12. steveccnv says:

    Omar Kelly @OmarKelly
    · 14m 14 minutes ago
    “@phillipdilling1: Best position Dolphins have been in in a long time in the draft. Needs vs. depth at positions even favors us.”» 2nded.

    ————————————————

    Is there any one position that anyone would be pissed we didn’t draft?

  13. finfanrob says:

    mike

    i would like to see it. got to admit they are very difficult to make. so if yours were good i am impressed. you ever make it to tampa i will be glad to take you to ybor city for some authentic cuban food. but i am telling you this, you will be putting out some hand. lol

  14. finfanrob says:

    wow i see they are making another mad max movie. i cant believe they are making it with a white actor too

  15. Tim Knight says:

    Steve, I was answering your question about having a problem with any position in the 1st. LOL

  16. Mike E. says:

    Rob – Sounds great man, I would love to do that. Next time I’m in FLA, we’ll have to make it happen.

  17. Mike E. says:

    Rob – Here is the recipe. Seriously, it was awesome!

    http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/dave-lieberman/black-bean-soup-recipe.html

  18. finfanrob says:

    Mike E. says:
    April 15, 2015 at 9:01 pm

    Actually, just read your last line, maybe I seem a little too eager. lol

    lmao. you judgmental bastard. just cause i am not married. fine. ok. i am crushed but ok no hand. just some good cuban food.

  19. steveccnv says:

    Nola by 16 at the half over the Spurs. Do the Spurs really not want OKC in that badly that they’d give up the #2 seed?

  20. finfanrob says:

    mike

    ok that sounds good but by no means even close to the cuban version.

    there is nothing like christmas eve with black beans, white rice, yuca and pork….. thats right piggy i said pork. even you would be carnivorous

  21. Tim Knight says:

    As we get closer to the draft, I think OL or WR is the pick. Build around Tannehill who we are going to sign to an extension sooner than later.

    We’re carrying a lot of dead cap this year but more comes off next year. That’s what Aponte is paid for.

    Would love to see our horizontal board. Instead of #12 thru #37 vertically you see them by position with very little separation. As an example you have 25 prospects in the 7.0 range at #14 spread throughout say 5 positions. Then the next tier and so on. You have to decide on so many variables – who’s the best football player, the best athlete, smart, passion for the game, articulate and good character.

    The reason we took Ja’Wuan James last year at #19 is because he passed every test. His only real con is he doesn’t have elite feet – that can’t play LT dilemma. Well he did and had his ups and downs like any other young OL. But he did show versatility from a guy who started 40+ games at Tennessee exclusively at RT.

    Don’t lose faith in younger players already on the team taking the next step – we have a lot of them. I think as an org that’s what we’re doing and trying to add special when we can. Don’t be surprised if we trade up.

  22. Mike E. says:

    I dig Cuban food. I’m sure i would love it. I’ve had Mexican black bean, Cuban black bean, and they’re both good. This is different, but I promise it’s really good. Very flavorful.

  23. son of a son of a shula says:

  24. son of a son of a shula says:

    That Rivers deal to Tenn where he has ties to Ken Whisenhut has validity to me. Rivers wants to come back to the East and San Diego is better off getting something for Rivers now instead of him walking after the season.
    But with Tenn showing interest in Mariota that may start a bidding war for the #2 spot.

  25. finfanrob says:

    son of a son of a shula says:
    April 15, 2015 at 9:39 pm

    But with Tenn showing interest in Mariota that may start a bidding war for the #2 spot.

    yep. more blah blah blah. all the rage on tampa radio now is the bucs are taking mariota. it is all bs, no one at all knows what teams are doing. they are just speculating so they can write something

  26. son of a son of a shula says:

    ffr, the Bucs are just saying hey if you want to give a king’s ransom to move up to 2 why not talk to us at #1

  27. Tim Knight says:

    Winston and Mariota aren’t Luck, RGIII and Tannehill. Teams know this. I think those guys would be 4-5 in the 2012 draft and not top 10.

    The media mocksters force teams to pick these guys based on pressure. Don’t buy into it even though they will. LOL

    • son of a son of a shula says:

      I buy in, we know QB stock gets inflated it always does. The Bucs will take a QB so that leaves only 1 – demand beats supply = high market value

  28. jetsssuck says:

    Mike E. says:
    April 15, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    If you guys like black bean soup, I just made a recipe and the soup was OFF THE HOOK!
    ———————————-yeah let me see what you can do…..

    • jetsssuck says:

      5 stars from 376 replies.sounds very impressive I’ll have to try. I usually don’t eat beans that have been preserved through canning but I’ll try.

      • jetsssuck says:

        beans are high in protein like lean steaks. They tell diabetics to eat lots of protein and fat instead of high calorie carbohydrates.

      • son of a son of a shula says:

        Soak your own beans instead of using canned then follow the recipe it probably wouldn’t be much different.

  29. son of a son of a shula says:

    Tenn. is finally doing the right thing by saying that they do like Mariota, that’s smart of them.
    The Browns are probably salivating to give up the extra first and destroy another QB’s career, a sucker is born every draft.

  30. Tim Knight says:

    Beans, beans, beans, beans, beans, beans, beans, beans, beans!!!! LOL

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