The Miami Dolphins have a rich history in the NFL. There have been plenty of legendary players and coaches. Dan Marino and Don Shula immediately come to mind. Miami is hoping to return to prominence soon with their new regime.
Head coach Brian Flores will begin his second season with a new quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa. Miami was also busy in free agency. They landed big names like Byron Jones and Kyle Van Noy on the defensive side along with Shaq Lawson and Emmanuel Ogbah. The Dolphins also signed Jordan Howard to be their lead back and Ereck Flowers to sure up the line.
After a strong free agent performance like this, it is natural to think back to the best signings in franchise history. Miami hopes one of these players will eventually be on the list, but until then, these are the top five.
5. Chad Pennington, QB
Heading into the 2008 season, the Miami Dolphins had a laughable quarterback competition going on in camp. Josh McCown, Chad Henne, and John Beck were all battling to see who would be under center for a team that went 1-15 just one season prior. Weeks before the season began, the Dolphins added Pennington and he won the job.
Pennington would lead the biggest turnaround in NFL history. The Dolphins finished 11-5 in 2008 and won the AFC East. This is the only team to win the division other than New England in the last 17 years. Pennington threw for 3,653 yards and 19 touchdowns throughout the season.
4. Earl Morrall, QB
The Dolphins signed 38-year old Morrall in 1972. Morrall came to the team with an MVP under his belt and the job of being a backup to Bob Griese. Shula claimed the quarterback off waivers for $100. He got a return on his investment pretty quickly.
When Griese went down with an injury, Morrall stepped in and went 9-0. He won a playoff game and started the AFC Championship Game before he was replaced at halftime. That team remains the only undefeated team in NFL history. Morrall was named to the All-Pro First Team after his performance. He went on to start just three more games during his Dolphins' tenure but his work in 1972 etched his name in history forever.
3. Manny Fernandez, DE
Fernandez went undrafted and was signed by the Dolphins in 1968. He is arguably one of the most underrated players in franchise history. Fernandez started 93 out of 103 games for Miami from 1968-1975.
He was a big nose tackle that could take up space in the middle. Fernandez was a great athlete and had a nose for the ball which he showed off during Super Bowl VII. He finished with 17 tackles and a sack in the game, just to be snubbed of MVP honors. Fernandez will be remembered as one of the best bargains in franchise history.
2. Bob Kuechenberg, OL
Kuechenberg was a draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1969 before he went on to leave the league. He spent one season in the semi-pro Continental Football League before landing a contract with the Dolphins in 1970. From then on, he was a huge success.
Kuechenberg was selected to the Pro Bowl six times and was a First-Team All-Pro member in 1978. He did not miss a game from 1971-1976 and ended his career with 176 starts in a Miami uniform. Kuechenberg would never play for another team.
1. Jim Langer, OL
Langer is perhaps Shula's best work. The Cleveland Browns let go of Langer in 1970 and the Dolphins quickly picked him up. He did not start a game over his first two seasons but the wait was worth it.
Langer earned a starting job in 1972 and did not miss a game until 1980. He made 109 straight starts during that time. Langer was named the to the Pro Bowl in six straight years from 1973-1978. During that time, he was also a four-time First Team All-Pro member.
The NFL inducted Langer into the Hall of Fame in 1987. This was the final accolade for one of the best Dolphins in history.
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