When it comes to the Miami Dolphins, every little bit of television face time counts.  Last year Dolfans got a first glimpse of the team with HBO Hard Knocks.  Admittedly, I would love to see the Dolphins do it again this year.  I thoroughly enjoyed that.  While that will not likely happen, I won’t have to wait an entire extra week to get my first glimpse of the team.

The NFL announced today that the Miami Dolphins will play against the Dallas Cowboys in the Hall of Fame Game a full week prior to the rest of the NFL’s kick-off.  In addition, given the early entry into the pre-season, the Dolphins will likley start a week early in training camp.

The news is hardly earth shattering and frankly the game itself is normally boring, but given the fact that it’s the first glimpse of all the new pieces on the Dolphins 2013 squad, it will be fun to watch.

If there was one thing that really got me fired up last season about the pre-season was the opportunity to see some of the nameless faces that work hard to make an NFL roster.  While pre-season doesn’t give us much in regards to how the team will actually perform when it counts, seeing the fringe players try and make an impact is worth the watch.

Feb 2, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; NFL former player Cris Carter speaks after being selected to the pro football hall of fame during a NFL Network presentation at the New Orleans Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL announced it’s class of 2013 Hall Of Fame inductees yesterday and the Dolphins will have two players representing them.  Well, kind of sort of.  This years class will include Cowboys tackle Larry Allen, Tampa Bay defensive lineman Warren Sapp, Ravens tackle Jonathon Ogden, and two senior members.  Curley Culp of KC and GB LB David Robinson.  But it’s the former Phins that make the list complete.

Entering the HOF on his second ballot, head coach Bill Parcells.  Parcells sparked a long debate between members that almost pushed the 5:30 pm deadline back an hour or more.  In the end,  it’s obvious that someone finally said “screw it” and gave him their vote.  Parcells’ tenure with the Miami Dolphins obviously was the tipping finger to getting into the HOF.

Chris Carter had a decent if unspectacular career with the Minnesota Vikings.  He put up HOF worthy numbers but couldn’t quite reach the landmark that the voting body looks for.  In 2002 the Vikings cast Carter aside and the Dolphins rescued him from a studio job on HBO’s Inside The NFL midway through the 2002 season.  Carter caught 3 passes for 31 yards in his debut and then missed four weeks with an injury.

The injury was the catalyst.  When Carter returned late in the season, he caught the one touchdown he needed to reach his career milestone of 130 touchdown receptions.  The fact that Carter once held a position HBO also helped his cause given the relationship that the Dolphins have with HBO and the NFL with Hard Knocks.

If not for their connections with the Miami Dolphins, neither men would have been voted into the NFL Pro-Football Hall of Fame.  And it’s likely that on the day they are enshrined, neither will give props to the one team who truly got them in.  Shame.

Dec. 9, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Detailed view of the Hall of Fame patch worn by Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) before a game against the St. Louis Rams at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL announced their 12 finalists for the Hall of Fame.  The vote will take place soon and the finalists will be announced around the Super Bowl.  In August, six former players and/or coaches will be enshrined in Canton forever.  The Miami Dolphins will not be putting anyone’s bust in the hall this year.  Or next year.  Or the year after that.

The last player the Miami Dolphins saw inducted into the HOF was Dan Marino.  That was nine years ago.  In that time Bob Kuechenberg came the closest to being inducted and to be honest, it was never really that close given his indignation towards the media.  The question of should he be in is a different debate all together but for the record, yes, I do believe he should.

It’s not surprising that the Dolphins have not placed anyone in so long a time.  Since Dan Marino retired the Dolphins have hardly made a dent in the AFC East standings and they have made no splash in the Playoffs.  The closest they have come to a Super Bowl was playing host to it in south Florida.  The best hope for a Dolphins HOF representative lies with former LB Zach Thomas, a long shot, and Jason Taylor a possible but not a guarantee.

Winning obviously breeds winners and winners go the HOF.  Sure, from time to time that standout player get’s elected despite the fact that his team never make the playoffs or came close to making a Super Bowl run.  They are the ones who match up statistically with other HOF’ers.  They hold records or come in a close 2nd or 3rd.  They are also normally the only players from their team that will ever come close to making it to the small northern city outside of Cleveland.

Just like Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor.  Standouts on an otherwise nameless team.  High on accomplishment statistically but short on post-season success.  How many names come to mind since the mid-1980′s that you believe should be in the Hall of Fame?  Richmond Webb?  A very thin maybe.  Ricky Williams?  Thinner.  Not likely as his transgressions took him off the field of play rather than occurring after he left the game.

The reality is a slap in the face.  This time of year is a harsh reminder of the failures of this organization to find even a few players who could change the game.  The Drew Brees’ over the Daunte Culpeppers.  The Eddie Moore’s, Jamar Fletchers, AJ Feely’s.  The list goes on.  The sad part is that looking at the current Miami Dolphins, no one stands out as the next great HOF player.  Not a knock on Jeff Ireland but simply because these guys are still too young to see what their long term accomplishments will be.  If Ryan Tannehill can become this generations Dan Marino you are looking at 12 to 14 years before he retires.  Another five until he is enshrined.  Some of us will be well into our 50′s or 60′s.  Some of us won’t even be around to see it.

For a pure football fan, the enshrinement of new busts in the Hall of Fame is exciting and a time to reflect on the accomplishments of that player and normally, the championship runs of their team.  The lack of putting a player on that list, yearly, does the opposite.

For now, the task to change that is resting on the shoulders of Joe Philbin.

Here is to hoping for Taylor and Thomas!