Miami Dolphins At 50: Top 10 DBs
By Dan Heaning
Mandatory Credit: Miami Dolphins.com
No. 3 – Dick Anderson
A cornerstone of the “No Name Defense” secondary, Dick Anderson is second in franchise history with 34 interceptions.
Preceding the completed AFL/NFL merger, Anderson was selected with the 73rd overall pick in the 1968 draft. Anderson jumped right into the fray as the safety starting all but one game in his rookie season.
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That rookie campaign was one of Anderson‘s best seasons. He recorded eight interception and returned them for a league-leading 230 yards including one for a touchdown.
Anderson is also sixth all-time in games played among defensive backs. He is also tied for second all-time with three interceptions returned for touchdowns (3) with Oliver and Buckley. His 792 return yards remains a franchise record to this day. In fact, no one even comes close to his return yards mark as Oliver trails by nearly 230 yards.
Anderson participated in three Pro Bowls from 1972 to 1974 and was given First Team All-Pro honors in 1972 and 1973.
He had his best season as a pro in 1973 when he picked off eight passes and returned two for touchdowns. However, he led the league in return yards in both his rookie campaign in 1968 and 1970. In both seasons, he recorded eight interceptions as well. His 86-yard return in 1970 led the league in that category.