Patriots of 07 vs. Dolphins of 72

NFL Football at its best. NFL Football at its craziest.

Larry Csonka was the best bull rusher in the age of bull rushers

So just how good are these Patriots that are trying to pull off an undefeated season right before your eyes?

What if we compare them to the legendary Miami Dolphins of 1972? Would they measure up or would they fall short of the greatness that will be given to them if they win that last game?

Maybe it is time to break it down.

We know the Patriots are great.

Consider that the Pats are within six points of becoming the highest scoring team in a single NFL season, breaking Minnesota’s 556 in 1998. With 48 touchdown passes, Tom Brady is two away from breaking Peyton Manning’s league record of 49 in 2004. With 21 touchdown receptions, Randy Moss is two shy of breaking Jerry Rice’s NFL record of 22 in 1987.

The Patriots have routinely won lopsided games, generally performing at a level well above that of the rest of the league. And they have done so in an era when the rules of the game (namely the salary cap and unrestricted free agency) conspire to make it difficult for a team to be that good. The Dolphins didn’t work with such constraints. source

But so were the Dolphins great.

The Dolphins’ running game featured the smash-mouth power of Larry Csonka (1,117 yards on 213 carries), explosive outside speed of Morris (1,000 yards on 190 attempts), and the solid contribution of http://www.nfl.com/players/jimkiick/profile?id=KII553722(521 yards on 137 rushes).

The Dolphins’ “No-Name Defense” was smothering enough to make some of the names worth remembering, especially those of middle linebacker Nick Buoniconti and defensive linemen Manny Fernandez and Bill Stanfill.

And what about Coach Don Shula?

Their coach, Don Shula, was one of the brightest minds in football. He already had guided two teams, the 1971 Dolphins and 1968 Baltimore Colts, to the Super Bowl and would go onto become the winningest coach in NFL history.

And Shula never cheated (had to slip that in there).

Earl the backup?

The really cool part about the Dolphin season is that All Pro QB Bob Griese, Brian’s dad, broke a leg and dislocated an ankle part way through the season. Earl Morrall, who grew up in Muskegon Michigan, not too far from your intrepid author and later starred at Michigan State University, also my school, was put in Griese’s place for the rest of the season.

Somehow Shula had to tell Earl that Bob was to replace him in the AFC Championship game and also in the Super Bowl. Pretty tough after you go 10 – 0.

Randy Moss in 1972?

The 72 Dolphins had their version of Randy Moss, too. Now you have to keep in mind that the game in that era was rushing and passing did not happen as often. Could be wrong about this, but also believe the ball was not as aerodynamically shaped back then either.

His name was Paul Warfield and he averaged 20.1 yards a catch over a 13 year career. In 1972 he had 29 catches for 606 yards and 3 TDs. Those were huge numbers back then.

Just like the Patriots the Dolphin defense was strong up the middle with tackles leader Nick Buoniconti and Super Bowl MVP Jake Scott

The Dolphins have already taken care of business and not only won all of their regular season games, but went on to win the Super Bowl as well.

The Patriots can begin to match the Dolphins with a final season victory over the Giants!

NFL Football Fan Question Can the Patriots win out to the Super Bowl?

Be sure to check out my companion blog at NBA Obsessed.

As always, any NFL Football related comments are welcome.

More blogs about football.