Tag: miami dolphins

Remembering a Man with “No-Name”

Tom Landry once quipped that the Miami Defense of the early 1970s was a “bunch of no-names.” In fact, it seemed the only defensive player on the team with any kind of recognition at all was Middle Linebacker Nick Buoniconti. The rest were treated like uncredited extras in a B-movie. That didn’t stop them. In fact, it seemed to fuel the fire in their bellies. They were the first team to make it to 3 Super Bowls in a row (winning 2 of them.) The 1972 Dolphins remain the only completely undefeated NFL team in the Super Bowl era.

Manny Fernandez – the college years

In spite of his lack of name recognition, Manny Fernandez absolutely dominated opposing lines – on a defense chock-full of dominating players. Manny was undrafted out of Utah in 1968 before signing with the Dolphins. One of the unofficial reasons for signing him was his Latin heritage. The large Hispanic population was an under-represented demographic within the Miami fan base; and the ownership wanted to change that. In an interview with NFL Films, he laughed, saying, “I am a Spaniard, but I don’t speak a word of it.”

The team also joked about his poor eyesight. Without his glasses, he was “blind as a bat.” But that was OK. He only needed to follow the moving blur that was holding the football. Some sources cite him as the first in the NFL to play the Nose Tackle position (directly opposite the Center.) This meant that he was typically blocked by 2 offensive linemen. In Super Bowl VII, the Washington Redskins attempted to contain him against a single player. Manny said, “It was like a vacation.” He racked up an incredible 17 tackles and 3 sacks that game. And he played all 8 seasons of his career with the Dolphins.

Both Pro Football Weekly and USA Today have listed him in ‘all time Super Bowl’ lists. In a January 2015 article in Shutdown Corner, Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports named Fernandez among the all-time greatest NFL Super Bowl players. Manny was ranked 10th.

This morning, the news reported that we Dolphins fans have lost another great.   Manuel Jose Fernandez died at the age of 79. His name and jersey #75 are immortalized at Hard Rock Stadium’s Ring of Honor in Miami, Florida. Although never enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, his photo and signature are proudly honored in my personal (and literal) hallway.

Rest in Peace, #75. We all remember you.

-Toph

Remembering Mercury

The Dolphins Eternal Team picked up a new draftee, when Eugene “Mercury” Morris died yesterday. He was a 1969 third round draft pick from West Texas State. He added his talents to the already impressive Dolphins Offensive Backfield that including quarterback Bob Griese, halfback Jim Kiick, and fullback Larry Csonka.

On arrival, there were tensions, as Kiick and Csonka were already established as the dynamic duo. They were nicknamed “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” and Kiick in particular wasn’t quiet about his desire to continue that relationship. That conflict wasn’t ignored by the media, and in fact, frustrations seemed fueled by the extra attention. Mercury feared he would be relegated to special teams in kick and punt returner positions.

However, after those initial growing pains, the team reached a balance, with Kiick and Morris sharing the halfback role. Although Morris officially remained the backup halfback through 1972, he lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns, and he and Csonka were the first NFL teammates to both rush for 1,000 yards or more in a single season. The Dynamic Duo was now a trio, and that trio were a big part of the magical “Perfect Season.” Mercury, Kiick, and Csonka played in 3 Miami Super Bowls (VI, VII, and VIII,) winning the latter two.

As I reflect on Mercury’s passing, I am again reminded that all good things eventually end. Just as the Dolphins early 70s era closed, the players themselves continue to gradually march into history. Jim Kiick of the Dynamic Trio died in 2020, and with Mercury’s departure, now only Larry Csonka remains in that group.        In fact, about half of that early 70s Dolphins team are now gone.

America’s Game (1972 and 1973 Miami Dolphins) includes interview clips with Mercury Morris

I wasn’t on that team. I was never even a football player – even as a kid. I didn’t see an NFL game in person until I was an adult. But I do get to remember those days, and revisit them through video clips and players’ memoirs.
I read the stories in old issues of Sports Illustrated. And I get to see other fans’ recollections on Facebook groups.

And finally, I’ll close this with a message to Mercury himself:

I haven’t forgotten you. I continue to be inspired and in awe of your talents. But you were just selected for the All Time Dolphins Team. So, suit up. It’s Sunday. You and your reunited teammates have a big game today.

-Toph

From my personal Wall of Fame