Everything that the Miami Dolphins touched at one point turned to gold. Miami, like the majority of NFL clubs, benefited greatly from having elite quarterbacks.
The Dolphins found some of that gold with Bob Griese in the late 1960s. Earl Morrall would follow, and Don Strock joined in 1974. Because of the two Hall of Fame quarterbacks the Dolphins selected and began, that significant aspect of the team’s history is frequently overlooked.
But the Dolphins almost didn’t have two HOF quarterbacks, and it wasn’t because other teams passed on Dan Marino.
Miami had just lost to the Washington Redskins in the Super Bowl. The club was led by quarterback David Woodley, who succeeded Bob Griese in 1980. After the season, Griese would retire, and the Dolphins appeared to be in good hands.
In 1981, Woodley guided the club to an 11-4-1 record. The Dolphins finished 7-2 in the strike-shortened 1982 season, but they won three postseason games to go to the Super Bowl. Woodley was a decent quarterback, but not exceptional. But Miami was lacking a component that they thought would help them win the Super Bowl.
Dan Marino was not intended to be the first pick in the 1983 NFL Draft.
The Dolphins had a single guy in mind when they entered the 1983 draft. Don Shula adored defensive back Darrell Green, and it was intended that Green would be selected with the Super Bowl runners-up’s second-to-last pick in the first round.
In contrast, Marino was anticipated to be selected earlier. However, similar to Laremy Tunsil, there were unsettling rumors about Marino in the run-up to the selection, and there were worries that he would choose to play baseball in the Major Leagues rather than football. Others pointed out that he wasn’t helped by his playing style or his Pitt senior year stats.
Shula remained steadfast in his belief that Green was his first pick while Marino continued to decline. Miami had the 27th pick in that particular round. Marino was anticipated to join Pittsburgh; in fact, it was widely believed that the Steelers would select him at age 21. An offensive lineman was the choice they made.
Marino remained on the board when the remaining picks were being made, and Shula shifted course when the Dolphins were added. He recognized a chance to improve his offensive passing technique. He picked Marino over Green. With the subsequent pick, the “Redskins” selected Green. Both received Hall of Fame jackets at the end of their careers.
Shula knew he couldn’t pass on the greatest player in Miami Dolphins history, but he wasn’t the first choice. Although it was a wise choice, there would have been a strong backup plan if Marino hadn’t been present.
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