Miami Dolphins Vs. Denver Broncos: Connections
By Eric Roddy
The Miami Dolphins (6-4) won their must win divisional game against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football. Now, they face the Denver Broncos (7-3) , who are coming off a beat-down on the road against the St. Louis Rams. If the Kansas City Chiefs continue to win and the Broncos struggle down the stretch, this game could end up effecting the wildcard race in the AFC. Let’s look at some connections between these two teams fighting for a spot in the playoffs.
1. Knowshon Moreno, RB Dolphins
The most obvious connection. The Dolphins landed the University of Georgia product this past off season in Free Agency, and signed him to a one year deal. Unfortunately, Moreno was injured early in week 2’s game against the Bills. However, he led the Dolphins to a huge win week 1 over the Pats. He has been lost for the season with a knee injury. His competition has sparked the consistently impressive play of fellow Dolphins RB Lamar Miller.
2. Wes Welker, WR Broncos
The talented journeyman WR made his name with the New England Patriots before heading to Denver to join Peyton Manning. Few people remember where he got his start: as a Miami Dolphin back in 2004 (after a brief stint with the Chargers). The undrafted do-it-all workhorse played 3 years for the Dolphins, but the lack of a QB led to his inability to breakout. Then, the Pats snagged him for two draft picks (2nd and 7th rounders), and the rest was Tom Brady inspired history. He torched the Dolphins from 2007-2012, before heading to Denver 2013, where he has failed to reach his potential due to constant injuries.
3. Peyton Manning, QB Broncos
Before the Miami Dolphins drafted QB Ryan Tannehill, they heavily considered bringing in then Colts QB Peyton Manning. In fact, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross flew him in to Miami and the Dolphins staff had a meeting with him. Whatever went down in that meeting, it wasn’t good enough to persuade Peyton to join the ‘Phins, and shortly after he became a Denver Bronco. Can’t say I blame him. He has made the playoffs each season, and has broken the NFL career TD record since joining the Broncos. He has also been embarrassed in a Super Bowl, as the Broncos got destroyed by the Seattle defense in last year’s finale.
4. Jack Del Rio, DC Broncos
The All-American linebacker from USC enjoyed 11 successful seasons in the NFL. His NFL career as a player ended in 1996 where Del Rio lost his job as the Dolphins linebacker to then rookie Zach Thomas. Thomas is now a Dolphins legend. Del Rio has moved on from his playing days to serve as the Head Coach of the Jaguars, and now as the Defensive Coordinator for the Broncos, who boast the league’s best run-stopping defense.
5. Phil McGeoghan, Assistant WR Coach Dolphins
Ken O’keefe’s assistant enjoyed a brief tenure in the NFL has a WR, where he played for the Broncos in 2001-2002 before finishing his career with the Saints in 2003.
FINS UP!