Miami Dolphins By The Numbers: 21 & 22
By Brian Miller
Moving on towards the number 99 we take a look at the number 21 today. And as is the case when the overwhelming majority would vote for one player, we will simply move along to 22 as well.
In the history of the Miami Dolphins, one player has stood out wearing the numbers two and one. Jim Kiick. Kiick did for Miami what Griese, Csonka, and Morris did for Miami. He helped put the team on the map. Without Jim Kiick there are questions as to whether the Dolphins would have won two consecutive Super Bowls. Like Csonka, Kiick also helped erase those years of glory when he left for more money and a different league. Unlike Csonka, Kiick did not return to the Dolphins.
Kiick wore the uniform from 1969 – 1974. Others who wore the number? Gene Mingo from 66-67, Rick Volk in 77 and 78. Tate Randle wore the number in 1987 as a replacement player before Mark Higgs took over from 1990 – 94. Lawrence Phillips wore it for his one failed season in 1997 as did Rayna Stewart in 1998. Autry Denson wore the number from 1990 – 2000 and Terry Cousin wore it in 2001. Jamar “not Drew Brees” Fletcher wore it in 2002 and 2003 and then got cut, Antuan Edwards wore it in 2004 before Travis Daniels held the number in 2005 – 2006. Andre Goodman had a good run in Miami from 2007 – 2008 before he gave it up to Vontae’ Davis who wore the jersey from 2009 – 2011. Deandre Pressley wore it ini 2012 and today Brent Grimes is carving out a reason for his name to be considered.
Of the players that have worn 21 a few stand out. Vontae’ Davis most notably. Davis’ issues were his lack of preparation but his play on the field at times was very good. Still, there is no clear challenger for Jim Kiick.
Moving on to number 22.
Willie West – 1966 – 1968, Kerry Goode 1989, Tim McKyer 1990, James Saxon 1992 – 1994, Terrance Shaw 2000, Jesse Chatman 2005, Lee Suggs 2006, Michael Lehan 2007 – 2008, Kory Sheets 2009 to 2010, and Clifton Smith 2010. Today it is worn by Jamar Taylor.
I left four names off this list. They will be the focal point of our poll. From 2011 to 2012 the number was worn by Reggie Bush. Bush was a fan favorite during his two seasons with the Dolphins. From 1996 to 2004 minus 2000 when he played in Chicago, Shawn Wooden wore the uniform. A total of eight seasons. In 1979 Tony Nathan wore the uniform until 1987. A total of nine seasons. Perhaps most famously from 1969 to 1975 the uniform was worn by Mercury Morris. Morris wore the uniform for seven seasons and played in all three of Miami’s Super Bowls.
So who wore the number best?