https://www.foxnews.com/sports/new-england-patriots-all-time-mount-rushmore I saw this article online and thought it would be fun to see who we would proclaim for Miami’s Mount Rushmore. For me personally... Don Shula Larry Csonka Nick Buoniconti Dan Marino Any differing thoughts?
I think that virtually any person who has ever watched the NFL would put Shula and Marino on ours. They're as easy and obvious as any individuals on any team's list. After that, its really a matter of personal opinion, and how old you are, I think. I wasn't born when the teams of the early 70s were dominating, so I have no memory or personal reference for how good those guys are. So, I mostly stick to the time period that I am really well versed on, basically the last 30 years. And for me, the next two guys on the list from my time as a fan are Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas.
That article is talking only about players not coaches, so Shula isn't on the list. And if it's just players, for me it's Dan Marino, Jason Taylor, Larry Csonka and Zach Thomas.
I understand what you're saying Lucky. There are some that weren't around during Miami's Golden Era, but on that same token, there are some here that never watched Shula coach a game. He retired 25 years ago. While I love...LOVE Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas, they didn't accomplish what the '72 No Name Defense did, which is why I selected Bouniconti. Like I said, I understand what you're saying but I think this should be the greatest Dolphins of all time.
Well if you wanted to remove Shula and add another player, I'd remove Shula and add Paul Warfield for the same reasons I previously stated about Taylor and Thomas.
Well, like I said. I'm incapable of having an opinion on those guys. And really, anyone who's not about 55 or older (at least) is going to be in the same boat. Really, anything I know about that era is just parroting what others have said. That's why I prefer to just stick to my zone.
The referenced article seems to be about the 4 best players in franchise history. My Mount Rushmore would be: Dan Marino Dwight Stephensen Paul Warfield Jason Taylor IMO all four of those were arguably top 3 at their position in the NFL while they were in Miami. There were several no-name defensive players I would love to have in there, but I think that defense was more about their play as a unit than as individuals (I'd have Jake Scott, Nick Bouniconti and Manny Fernandez as the the linchpins, but still not a single guy as the one linchpin. Nick was seen as the leader, but I don't think he was the best player on those defenses). Czonka was also a consideration for me, but he was also part of an ensemble. While he was the biggest name and history seems to have forgotten about Kiick and Morris, my recollection was that during those championship years, they were very much a one-two punch. In 1971 it was Czonka and Kiick. In 1972 both Czonka and Morris had a 1000 yards. And in 1973 Czonka and Morris were within something like 50 yards apart. IIRC Czonka had more carries but Morris had a much bigger average. Zack Thomas would also be high on my potentials list. I had Taylor as a slightly better player though. Obviously this is an individual opinion so there's no wrong answer, but that would be my list.
Not a greatest ever Dolphin, but can I get this face carved out of rock 50ft tall off to the side somewhere please?
My Mt Rushmore is 2 sided, so it would be 39/34, 66/67, 13/13 and 54/75. Maybe we can build in a system so they rotate so both sides can be seen from the same view point.
I think you can call it a toss up between Zach Thomas and Nick B. Both were elite at their position, if you go by team accomplishments its Nick but I think Zach was an equally elite player who didnt have the same luxury of Don Shula coaching his team. So my top 3. Don Shula Zach/Nick toss a coin Dan Marino Now I think the #4 spot is really interesting. You could go any number of directions with this. Jason Taylor is probably the most individually talented and accomplished remaining player. However, guys like Csonka embody what our early days were about and deserve consideration. You could also double up at LB and put both Zach and Nick. For my last pick I'll go with JT. Simply so I can have the distant past and closer past of our franchise represented equally.
Sure, being a younger generation fan, as much as I respect the old boys that won superbowls doesn't mean they were better than other Dolphins greats who didn't.. Obvious Marino should be the obvious example. With that said.. Don Shula Dan Marino Jason Taylor Zach Thomas But the reality is A Dolphins Mt. Rushmore would be a hell of alot more than 4. I feel dirty leaving any of the greats off of it like many of the oldschool champions mentioned here. However, there are too many Dolphins than deserve recognition as some of the best Dolphins players that spent their career with us. Also, the mainstream sports media doesn't seem to care for the Dolphins or it's players. If JT or ZT spent their careers with one of the football-media's favored teams like Pittsburgh, NE, Green Bay, Dallas et al they would have been wayyy more popular and famous. IMO Zach attack is the same caliber as Ray Lewis. But ask football fans and a much smaller portion would be able to name ZT than RL. Would anybody in the entire football world say JT is on the same level as Reggie White? Perception is reality, and the sports media dictates perception. But the stats tell more than the lying media to me. The only area he had better stats than JT is sacks. All other relevant stats, JT hammered him. To me it's F gay accolades.
Well, there might be more talented players in some of the more recent teams the fact remains that the undefeated season is the identity of the Dolphins. I had the pleasure of watching that Superbowl although I did miss some of the regular season games. Shula, Csonka, Nick B and Marino.
It would be a more enjoyable exercise if we were naming 4 players from each decade, but then you know a lot of fans would name "He who can't be spoken of" without a 500 page argument ensuing. Or even better, give us one player from each decade to fill out our ever-expanding monument and the same player can't represent multiple decades. In other words, Marino could get the nod for the 80's but not the 90's...giving Offerdahl, Thomas, Fryar, JT or someone else a chance to get on the monument. Heck, someone could make an argument for putting Reggie Roby up there...maybe the best punter of all time.
A punter?!, Really Key? That's like saying this: Was the greatest station wagon ever built so it belongs on the best FORD ever Mountain. It was, but still. That was my first car by the way, same color and all. Took the spare tire out and insulated it, made a cooler that fit 3 cases and ice. Put a hooka in the center console. Tinted windows werent a thing then so my girl made curtains. Drove that car from Boston to Miami from Virginia Beach. I LOVED that car, til Mom made me sell it just because the gas tanks exploded.
Ok, that could be interesting. What most don't know is the four Presidents on Mount Rushmore each represent a time frame of our country's history Washington; the establishment of our country Jefferson; the expansion of our country Lincoln; the reunification of our country Roosevelt; the development of our country Borglum chose these four for that particular reason So...if you were to use a criteria such as that, who would be the four chosen?
That's an interesting way to look at it. Sadly, the last fifteen years of our team history, roughly the last quarter to a third, has been pretty bleak.
So lets throw the 60's in with the 70's since we are on season 54. Greatest player by decade for the Phins, greatest being a variable criteria by posters POV 70's = Czonka, so many choices, this is mine. 80's = Marks Brothers. I know I picked two, just put Duper on the right and Clayton on the left, like a 2 face. 90's = Dan the Man, and his head is 50% larger than the others cuz he should be here for the 80's too 00's = Zach 10's = John Denney, I'll see your punter Key, and raise you a LS
The only two people I can say for sure is Don Shula and Dan Marino. As for the other two spots? They have to be from the '72 for sure.
IMO, not having any members of the 72 team would be a huge oversight. Like, you make a huge case for Csonka, Morris, and Jake Scott (especially the former two, since they're first duo to each rush for a 1,000 yards in the same season while playing for the same team).
If you couldn't name coaches, other than Marino, who is on your list from the last 40 years? ( for anyone/everyone)