2006 Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins had a much-improved season in 2005, completing the season with 9 wins and 7 losses, in contrast to an uncharacteristically sorry 2004. Supporting them through thick and thin were plenty of loyal fans, thousands of whom bought tickets and showed up at Dolphins Stadium (recently renamed Dolphin Stadium) to cheer them on. Miami's paid attendance averaged almost 72,000 tickets sold per game.

Nick Saban is back for a second year, having finished his first as a head coach with a lot of momentum. Miami expects some extra spark from a new quarterback, or quarterbacks, since Joey Harrington is expected to fill in until Daunte Culpepper recovers from knee surgery. The Dolphins beat the mighty New England Patriots during their six-game winning streak, and they feel ready to challenge their AFC East rivals again.

Some Miami Dolphins history: For most of their history, the Dolphins were coached by Don Shula, the winningest head coach in professional football history. His Dolphins teams posted losing records in only 2 of his 26 seasons with the club. In 1972 the Dolphins became the first and only NFL team to complete a 14-game regular season without a loss.

Miami joined the American Football League (AFL) when an expansion team franchise was awarded to lawyer Joseph Robbie and actor Danny Thomas in 1965. The Dolphins began play in 1966, and after four consecutive losing seasons, Don Shula replaced George Wilson as head coach. Miami joined the NFL in 1970 when the NFL and AFL completed their merger.

The Dolphins were a successful team during the early 1970s, capturing the AFC championship in 1971 behind quarterback Bob Griese and wide receiver Paul Warfield. The AFC Championship Game, in which the Dolphins defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, was the longest contest in NFL history (82 minutes 40 seconds). In the Super Bowl, however, Miami lost to the Dallas Cowboys 24-3.

In 1972 the Dolphins accomplished an amazing feat, becoming the first NFL team to finish a season undefeated. Miami went on to win two playoff games and then the Super Bowl, defeating the Washington Redskins 14-7. The 1972 Dolphins defensive unit, called the No-Name Defense because Miami's impressive offense received much more publicity, was the league's best that year. It was led by linebacker Nick Buoniconti, end Bill Stanfill, and safeties Dick Anderson and Jake Scott.

The Dolphins won 12 games during the 1973 season and repeated as Super Bowl champions, routing the Minnesota Vikings 24-7. Miami reached the playoffs the following season but lost in the first round to the Oakland Raiders. After the disappointing defeat, several players, including Csonka, Warfield, and running back Jim Kiick, joined the short-lived World Football League. The Dolphins managed to win ten games in 1975, aided by Griese's consistency and the fine play of wide receiver Nat Moore.

During the third game of the 1983 season, Shula replaced quarterback David Woodley with rookie Dan Marino, who went on to win the AFC passing championship and rookie of the year award. During the mid-1980s Marino produced the most impressive set of passing statistics in NFL history, setting single-season records for most yards (5,084), touchdown passes (48), and completions (362) during the 1984 season. In 1984 the Dolphins won their first 11 games on their way to another Super Bowl appearance. In the title game, however, Miami lost to the San Francisco 49ers 38-16.

Following the 1995 season Shula became an executive in the Dolphins' front office. Jimmy Johnson, who had won a collegiate national championship at the University of Miami and two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys, was named as Shula's replacement. After the 1999 season, Johnson left the team and Marino retired.