Miami Dolphins

When the Dolphins season began there was renewed optimism thanks to their strong finish and the acquisition of Daunte Culpepper, even Sports Illustrated was on board picking the Dolphins to play in the Super Bowl at Dolphin Stadium. However, when the games played that optimism evaporated quickly as the Dolphins dropped the season opener to the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-17 as Culpepper had an interception returned 42 yards by Joey Porter with three minutes left. A week later in the home opener Culpepper had a tough time just staying on his feet as he is sacked seven times in a 16-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins would win a week later against the Tennessee Titans, but Culpepper continued to struggle, as the Dolphins lost three of their first four games before lingering knee soreness forced Daunte Culpepper to the sidelines, for what turned out to be the rest of the season, as he compiled just 929 yards with 2 Touchdowns and 3 Interceptions in four games. With Joey Harrington under center the Dolphins did not play much better losing three straight as they entered the bye week with the worst record in the NFL at 1-6. Coming out of the bye the Dolphins suddenly caught fire thanks to their defense as they handed the Chicago Bears their first loss of the season in Soldier Field 31-13, as Jason Taylor was in the face of Rex Grossman all day even returning an interception for a touchdown. It would be the first of four straight wins culminating in a Thanksgiving 27-10 win over the Detroit Lions, as Harrington threw three touchdown passes. However, the Dolphins late season comeback started to take on a cross wind as rumors circulated that Coach Nick Saban was considering returning to the NCAA with Alabama, who had recently fired Mike Shula, the son of legendary Dolphins Coach Don Shula. After a 24-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Dolphins defense led by Jason Taylor shutout the New England Patriots 21-0, as they sacked Tom Brady four times and held him to just 78 yards passing. However, that would be the last win of the season as the Dolphins were shutout themselves a week later in Buffalo 21-0 as Cleo Lemon took over the rest of the way at Quarterback with the Dolphins finishing in last place with a disappointing 6-10 record. As the Dolphins closed the season with three straight losses the Saban Alabama rumors continued to persist despite a flat boldface denial from Saban that he was committed to rebuilding the Dolphins, who had turned down Drew Brees the NFL's leading passer for Daunte Culpepper who looked to be finished as an effective starting QB. Naturally Nick Saban was lying as he left the Dolphins high and dry following the season signing a multi million dollar deal to Coach Alabama. In his wake the Dolphins were in shambles once again, as they were two years ago when Saban took over as both Coach and head of player personnel. The Dolphins would eventually tab Cam Cameron to replace Saban as coach, while Culpepper was released as the Dolphins acquired Trent Green from the Kansas City Chiefs.

First Draft Choice: Jim Grabowski, RB, Illinois, 1966.

First Regular-Season Game: A 23-14 loss to the Oakland Raiders, 9/2/66.

First Regular-Season Win: A 24-7 victory over the Denver Broncos, 10/16/66.

First Regular-Season Points: Joe Auer returned the opening kickoff of the Dolphins' first regular-season game 95 yards for a touchdown.

First Winning Season: 1970 (10-4).

First Playoff Appearance: A 21-14 loss to the Oakland Raiders in the 1970 AFC playoff game, 12/27/70.

First Super Bowl Appearance: A 24-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl VI, 1/16/72.

First Super Bowl Win: A 14-7 victory over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII, 1/14/73.

First Pro Bowl Selections: RB Larry Csonka, QB Bob Griese and WR Paul Warfield, 1970.

First Player Elected to the Hall of Fame: WR Paul Warfield, 1983.

First to Rush 100 Yards in a Game: Abner Haynes, 151 yards vs. the Denver Broncos, 9/17/67.

First to Pass 400 Yards in a Game: David Woodley, 408 yards vs. the Dallas Cowboys, 10/25/81.

First 1,000-Yard Rusher: Larry Csonka, 1,051 yards (1971).

Most Yards Rushing, Career: Larry Csonka, 6,737 yards (1968-1974, 1979).

Most Yards Passing, Career: Dan Marino, 61,361 yards (1983-1999).

Most Receptions, Career: Mark Clayton, 550 receptions (1983-1992).

All-Time Leading Scorer: Olindo Mare, 1,048 points (1997-2006).

Most Lopsided Win: A 52-0 victory over the New England Patriots, 11/12/72.