Cincinnati by 18 in the playoff opener.
Also, as in the Oakland and Cincinnati games, quarterback Bob Griese and his
multiple weapons, took the opening kickoff, marched to a touchdown and never trailed.
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“Shula and Arnsparger” Dolphins/Minnesota Super Bowl 8 in Houston, January 13, 1974. This series of photos won an award for Herald photographer John Walther in the Professional Football Hall of Fame’s 6th annual contest, 1973-74 season.
March 31:
Fullback Larry Csonka, running back Jim Kiick and wide receiver Paul Warfield sign a $3.3 million package deal to play for the World Football League in 1975. The three remain with the Dolphins for the 1974 season but something is lost in that transaction. Things are never the same again.
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July 1:
NFL Players Association declares a strike, and Joe Robbie charges the NFLPA with a search-and-destroy mission.
August 14:
Strike ends after seven weeks. Seven Dolphins crossed the picket line, including Jim Langer, Jake Scott and Mercury Morris.
DOLPHIN TRIVIA:
Who was the first Dolphin to cross the picket line during the 1974 NFL strike?
Jim Langer.
December 21 Sea of Hands Game:
The Dolphins’ bid for a third consecutive Super Bowl championship and a fourth consecutive Super Bowl appearance ends with a 28-26 loss to the Raiders in an AFC semifinal at Oakland. The Raiders and Dolphins exchange leads three times in the final five minutes. The final score came when Ken Stabler, Dolphins defenders draped over him, floated an 8-yard TD pass over a sea of Dolphins defenders’ hands and into the clutches of Clarence Davis with 26 seconds to play. Raiders win 28-26. Stunning. Unforgettable.
Chapter 3
Playoffs No Longer A Constant
AFTER PERFECTION
49
Timeline 1975-1982
1975
September 22:
The Dolphins’ 31-game Orange Bowl winning streak ends with a 31-21 loss to Oakland.
October 22:
The World Football League folds, but Larry Csonka, Paul Warfield and Jim Kiick remain temporarily under contract to John Bassett.
December 14:
Dolphins lose, 10-7, to Baltimore in overtime to miss the playoffs for the first time in six seasons under Don Shula. They beat Denver the following week to finish 10-4.
DOLPHIN TRIVIA:
Name the play, the yards covered, the year and the opponent when Bob Griese scored the final touchdown of his career.
Five-yard quarterback draw against the Jets in 1975.
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1976
1977
August 24:
Dolphins trade two lynchpins of their championship teams, dealing Mercury Morris to San Diego for a third-round draft pick and sending Jake Scott and a fourth-round pick to Washington for safety Bryant Salter.
December 11:
Dolphins lose, 29-7, at Minnesota to cap a 6-8 season, their worst to date under Shula. Bob Griese has a disappointing season (11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 78.9 rating).
September 11:
Bob Griese, forced to wear glasses because of problems with contact lenses, passes for two touchdowns in a 27-21 preseason win at the Giants, thus becoming the first quarterback to wear glasses in an NFL game, according to the Dolphins.
DOLPHIN TRIVIA:
Which two Dolphins started every game they were eligible to play?
Safety Jake Scott (95 games) and defensive tackle Bob Baumhower (81).
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Bespectacled Bob Griese, undated. (Miami Herald)
November 24:
Bob Griese becomes the first NFL quarterback since 1972 to throw six TD passes in a game, and the Dolphins set records for points and yards (503) in a 55-14 blowout of the St. Louis
