1976 Bucs, 2007 Dolphins. Are They The Same Team?

It’s no doubt that the Miami Dolphins are horrible this year. I feel bad for that franchise, one that is marked with the immortal record of 17-0, the first team to ever go undefeated in a season. Of course, they now face the chance of going 0-16, and would become only the second team to go winless for an entire season. They would also be the first team ever to have an undefeated season, and a winless season.

As a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I have to face the fact that my team is the only team to ever go winless in a season. The 2001 Carolina Panthers are the team that has come the closest to futility so far, recording a 1-15 record. It hurts knowing that my team is one that will forever be linked to misery, disappointment, and embarrassment. But now, I have slight comfort in the fact that the Dolphins could go winless. I would like to see them win a game, just for the franchise that they are.

The 1976 Bucs were an expansion team, playing in their first season. The Dolphins became a team ten years earlier in 1966. By the time the Bucs were born, the Dolphins had already recorded their perfect season, and had won the Super Bowl twice. I would like to compare the two teams, as franchises, not in any respective year:

Tampa Bay Hall of Famers:

Lee Roy Selmon

Miami Dolphins Hall of Famers:

Paul Warfield
Larry Csonka
Jim Langer
Bob Griese
Larry Little
Don Shula
Dwight Stephenson
Nick Buoniconti
Dan Marino

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Retired Numbers:

63-Lee Roy Selmon

Miami Dolphins Retired Numbers:

12-Bob Griese
13-Dan Marino
39-Larry Csonka

Super Bowl Titles:

Tampa Bay-1 (2002)

Miami Dolphins-2 (1972, 1973)

Measuring up, these two teams seem very much alike, except for the fact that Miami has more notable alumni than the Bucs. Now I want to take a look at the two teams in topic, the ‘76 Bucs, and the ‘07 Dolphins.

1976 Buccaneers:

QB- Steve Spurrier 
Career Numbers: 51.9% Completion Rate, 6,878 passing yards, 40 TD’s, 60 INT’s, 60.1 Rating
RB- Louis Carter
Career Numbers: 913 rushing yards, 4 TD’s
DT- Lee Roy Selmon
Career Numbers: 742 Tackles, 78.5 Sacks

2007 Dolphins:

QB- John Beck
Career Numbers(R): 40.9% Completion Rate, 109 passing yards, 0 TD’s, 56.8 Rating
RB- Jesse Chatman
Career Numbers: 820 rushing yards, 4 TD’s
DE- Jason Taylor
Career Numbers: 414 Tackles, 111 Sacks, 40 Forced Fumbles, 7 INT’s

Ok, so both teams rack up well against each other as opposed to players status. The 1976 Bucs were last in the league in just about every category. The Dolphins are close to last in the league in most categories. The Bucs had close games that year, losing games with scores of 14-9, 13-10, 23-20, and 28-19. The Dolphins have lost games with scores of 16-13 (OT), 31-28, 22-19, 13-10, 13-10, and 17-7. Both teams are very bad. But I have a feeling the Dolphins won’t be as bad as the Bucs once were. In the coming weeks, they will play the Jets, who are 2-8, and the Ravens, who are 4-6. They also get the Bills, who are 5-5.

The Miami Dolphins are poised to win a game. Even if they don’t, I still don’t believe they’re as bad as the ‘76 Bucs. The Dolphins have good players on their team, and the Bucs did not. I believe the Bucs hallowed record is safe, at least for another year. When the Dolphins win their first game, the ‘76 Bucs can come together, pop the cork, and drown in bubbly. You have to celebrate a record, right?