Phin Phanatic
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Top 10 NFL players that have dominated the Miami Dolphins

By Matthew Stevens

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 16: Running back Thurman Thomas #34 of the Buffalo Bills looks on from the sideline as rain falls during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on September 16, 1996 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 16: Running back Thurman Thomas #34 of the Buffalo Bills looks on from the sideline as rain falls during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on September 16, 1996 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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Rob Gronkowski
MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 01: Rob Gronkowski attends Gronk Beach at North Beach Bandshell on February 1, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images) /

Rob Gronkowski may have owned the Miami Dolphins but he didn’t have the angle!

7.  Clarence Davis, RB, Oakland Raiders (1971-78)

Davis makes this list at #7 for his exploits on one play versus the Miami Dolphins; “The Sea of Hands”.  The Dolphins were coming off back-to-back Super Bowl wins and three straight appearances in the big game.  After a ‘see-saw’ game that saw both teams take the lead on multiple occasions, the Dolphins scored a touchdown to take a 26-21 lead with 2:04 remaining.  Raiders QB Ken Stabler drove the Raiders 54 yards and got down to the Dolphins 8-yard line.

With under 30 seconds remaining, Stabler frantically searched for an open receiver and threw the ball ‘up for grabs’.  Davis wrestled the ball away from three Dolphins defenders to score the game-winning touchdown.

That play/game ended the Dolphins three year Super Bowl run and, with the World Football League snatching up arguably Miami’s three biggest stars the following offseason, ended the Dolphins dynasty of the decade.

6.  Andre Reed, WR, Buffalo Bills (1985-99)

If Wes Welker did the most damage in the shortest amount of time then Andre Reed arguably hurt the Dolphins for the longest time.  Outside of Tom Brady, no position player faced the Dolphins more times than Reed’s 32 games (28 regular season and 4 playoff games).

In his 15 year career with the Bills, Reed finished with the most receptions (122), most receiving yards (1,731) and tied for fifth in receiving touchdowns (10).  That doesn’t even include the 12 receptions for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns in four playoff games; three of which sent the Dolphins home.

5.  Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots (2010-18)

Gronkowski comes in at #5 because he was the most consistent target for quarterback Tom Brady during the Patriots string of division titles in the AFC East.  He holds the record for tight ends against the Dolphins with 56 receptions, 839 yards, and 9 touchdowns.  With Gronkowski on the field, the Patriots are 10-3 against Miami.

The only form of solace for Dolphins fans is Gronk’s final play against the Dolphins was his ill-fated attempt to catch Kenyan Drake at the 5-yard line of “The Miami Miracle”.

4.  Bruce Smith, DE, Buffalo Bills (1985-99), Washington Redskin (2003)

Considering Bruce Smith is the all-time leader in sacks, it’s no surprise that he makes an appearance on this list.  With 15 sacks in the regular season and 1.5 sacks in the playoffs, Smith was the single biggest “Dolphins killer” on the defensive side of the ball.

Between 1987 and 1994, Smith’s Bills were 13-3 against the Dolphins; including 3-1 in the playoffs.  For you younger fans, this was during a time when the Dolphins were a perennial playoff team and Super Bowl, contender.

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