Miami Dolphins At 50: 1990 – 95
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins headed into a new decade with the hopes of returning to the Super Bowl. If the New York Jets were the Dolphins biggest rival of the 80’s the Buffalo Bills became their nemesis throughout the 1990’s. Big changes were ahead for the Dolphins towards the end of the decade. A coaching change loomed on the horizon, a change in ownership was on the way and the Miami Dolphins would see the last of the greatest player to ever play for the franchise.
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1990
January 7th
The start of the 1990’s was not good for the Dolphins. At the age of 73, founder and owner Joe Robbie passes away due to respiratory failure.
January 12th
An organizational change five days after Joe Robbie’s death puts his children in charge of the franchise.
January 27th
Bob Griese is elected to the Pro-Football Hall of Fame.
March 7th
Blockebuster Video owner Wayne H. Huizenga purchase 50% of Joe Robbie Stadium and 15% ownership in the Dolphins
September 9th
After five consecutive losses on opening day, Sammie Smith rushes for a team opening game record 159 yards and a touchdown as the Dolphins beat the Patriots 27-24
September 16th
The newly formed Miami Dolphins Ring of Honor elects and enshrines former owner Joe Robbie. The Dolphins beat the Bills and the win gives Don Shula his 200th regular season win as the Dolphins head coach
November 19th
During half-time of a loss to the Raiders, the Dolphins enshrine Paul Warfield, Jim Langer, Bob Griese, and Larry Csonka into the teams honor roll. They are the then four members of the Pro-Football Hall of Fame
November 25th
With a win over the Cleveland Browns, Dan Marino eclipses the 30,000 yard mark passing and the Dolphins clinch a winning season for the first time in three seasons dating back to 1987
December 9th
In a victory over the Eagles, the Dolphins clinch the playoffs for the first time since 1985
December 19th
Rookie Richmond Webb earns a Pro-Bowl appearance becoming the first tackle in NFL history to earn the honor.
1991
Pete Stoyanovich kicks a 58 yard field goal and a then playoff record as the Dolphins beat the Chiefs in the playoffs
January 12th
In a foreshadowing of things to come, the Dolphins lose to the Buffalo Bills 44-34 in the playoffs
January 27th
Larry Csonka is named to the NFL’s All Time Super Bowl Silver Anniversary team
March 8th
Mike Shula joins the Dolphins as an assistant coach
September 22nd
Don Shula earns his 300th career victory with a win over Green Bay
November 10th
In a victory over the Patriots, Mark Duper and Mark Clayton both surpass Nat Moore’s team record for receiving of 7,547 yards. Duper passed the mark in the first quarter while Clayton would surpass the mark in the 4th
November 18th
Nick Buoniconti is enshrined in the Ring of Honor
December 1st
Dan Marino throws for over 3,000 yards on the season for an NFL record eighth time breaking the tie he held with Joe Montana
December 22nd
The Dolphins lose to the New York Jets 23-20. The game was a winner advances takes the wild card spot.
1992
May 20th
The Dolphins sign a long term agreement with Nova University to build a state of the art training facility. The Dolphins continue to use the campus today as their training center. The facility was set to be ready prior to the start of the 1993 season
June 4th
Tom Heckert is named the teams Director of Player Personnel
August 31st
The Dolphins home opener against the Patriots is postponed until October in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew
September 29th
After a court order makes Keith Jackson a free agent, the Dolphins add the Pro-Bowler as a free agent
October 18th
Dan Marino tosses 4 touchdown passes at the Dolphins beat New England in the rescheduled make-up home owner
November 16th
The Dolphins enshrine the “1972 team” into the Ring of Honor. The Dolphins lose the game to the Bills
December 2oth
The Dolphins clinch a playoff birth in a come from behind win against the NY Jets.
December 17th
The Dolphins clinch the AFC East title with a win over the Patriots