The 1985 Miami Dolphins were in the franchise’s third year with Dan Marino quarterback. The first two years had seen a pair of AFC East titles, a Super Bowl trip and an MVP award. All that was left was to win the Lombardi Trophy itself. The Dolphins didn’t achieve that goal in ’85, but they […]
When the month of November began, the Miami Dolphins looked like a dead team walking. They were 4-4 and nominally in the NFL playoff picture, but the scandal involving offensive guard Richie Incognito’s bullying and harassment of offensive tackle Jonathan Martin–with the approval of teammates and potentially of coaches–threatened to engulf the team.
The Miami Dolphins have been an organization in a funk for a long time. They haven’t gone deep into the postseason since making the AFC Championship Game since 1992. They haven’t gone to the Super Bowl since 1984 and they haven’t won it since 1973. In recent years, an AFC East title in 2008 and quick first-round playoff exit is the only interlude in an extended run of mediocrity.