The spring of 2009 is the time of many events including the NFL Draft. At a time of great expectations, the Miami Dolphins will be participating in the current draft with more confidence than in 2007.
It is time to look at the top five picks and bust selections of the Miami Dolphins since it began as a franchise of the AFL and then NFL in the 1960’s.
It would be great to add one missed opportunity.
Number One Pick: Dan Marino
The greatest selection ever made by the Miami Dolphins had to be Dan Marino. Dan Marino was the first draft choice by the United States Football League team the Los Angeles Express. He was also rumored to be a candidate for the Pittsburgh Steelers although the Steelers ended selecting Gabriel Rivera.
The Miami Dolphins selected Dan Marino during the 27th pick in the NFL Draft in 1983. Many people did not think much of the selection yet it was the beginning of a golden era for the Dolphins. While Marino was the Most Valued Player multiple times, he was unable to win a Super Bowl for the Dolphins.
Dan Marino was more than just a football player; he was also a class by himself by being the most prolific players in the team.
Number Two Pick: Larry Csonka
Larry Csonka was the Number One Selection by the Miami Dolphins during its draft in 1968. At that time, the Miami Dolphins belonged to the American Football League before it merged with the NFL.
Csonka was one of the principle players that helped the Miami Dolphins win the Super Bowl during the perfect season. He was named the Most Valued Player for Super Bowl VIII after establishing a record for 145 runs, 2 touchdowns, and 33 carries.
He eventually retired on a high note after being named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1979.
Number Three Pick: Jake Long
One of the best selections in order to redeem a team from a one game victory during the 2007 NFL Season was Jake Long. He was the first round draft and was named Rookie of the Week during the tenth week of the 2008-2009 NFL Season.
While it is too early to comment about Jake Long, the author is of the opinion that he has potential and may surprise us in the 2009-2010 NFL Season.
Number Four Pick: Chad Henne
Chad Henne was drafted during the Second Round of the NFL Season. According to ESPN Reporter Chris Mortenson, he may become the starting Quarterback for the 2010 Season. If this is true, Chris Henne has to prove his potential to inherit the mantle left by Dan Marino and Chad Pennington.
Number Five Pick: Ronnie Brown
Ronnie Brown has a record of 916 yards and 214 carries after being drafted by the Fins. It is hoped that more will come in the following NFL Seasons.
After the picks, we will deal with the busts.
Number One Bust: Yatil Green
Jimmy Johnson who was coach of the Miami Dolphins made a mistake with Yatil Green. Yatil Green was selected by the team as a first round pick during the 1997 draft. Green did not live up to expectations with his tearing of the quadriceps muscle, anterior cruciate ligament, and right knee cartilage.
Yatil Green was later released by the Miami Dolphins after ten surgeries on his knees. The New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders later selected Yatil Green but dropped him for the same reasons.
Number Two Bust: John Avery
John Avery was selected in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. It was hoped that they learned their lesson from the Green debacle. John Avery in the Miami Dolphins reminds me of the one hit wonders in the music industry.
John Avery managed to accumulate 1655 during his rookie season in 1998 but this was surpassed by Chambers and Walkers. Avery was later traded to the Denver Broncos who decided in their training camp that he was no longer needed.
While respecting Jimmy Johnson as an NFL Coach and a FOX Sports Broadcaster, this was another mistake in his coaching career with the first round draft picks.
After reading the article on the Bleacher Report “Dolphins Disaster: Miami Cam Cameron Doomed by Draft History” written by John Newman, it inspired me to name the
Number Three Bust called Reagan Mauia.
Reagan Mauia was drafted for the 2007 Miami Dolphins Season and was famous for doing nothing. He eventually lost to Boomer Grigsby in the pre season competition for the job as fullback for the Miami Dolphins.
Number Four Bust: Samson Satele
Samson Satele was drafted by the Miami Dolphins for its 2007 Season. Samson Satele ended in the same note as Reagan Mauia.
Number Five Bust: Lorenzo Booker
Lorenzo Booker was also selected during the 2007 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. His first action was at the end of the 2007 NFL Season when the Dolphins lost to the Jets. He was eventually traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The stories of the picks and duds in the Miami Dolphins will be written in a continuous matter. After all, life goes on.
Reference:
“Dolphins Disaster: Miami Cam Cameron Doomed by Draft History” Newman, John. Bleacher Report; January 5, 2008;
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/5856-dolphins-disaster-miami-cam-cameron-doomed-by-draft-history
El Noticiero de Alvarez Galloso 