Five Miami Dolphins who retired at the right time in their career

Tim Bowens

For 11 seasons, Tim Bowens was an anchor on the defensive line. A hard-hitting bull rushing player who go far less recognition nationally than he should have. Bowens was dependable and consistent.

Bowens entered the league in 1994 and would play under Don Shula, Jimmy Johnson, Dave Wannstedt and Jim Bates but he would opt to retire before playing for Nick Saban.

2004 was his final season in the NFL and he was only two years removed from a Pro Bowl appearance.

From 1994 to 1998, Bowens played in every Dolphins game as the starter. In he started 155 of 157 games he appeared in but towards the end of his career, injuries began to take a toll.

Bowens would play in 13 games in 2003 and when he returned in 2004, he found himself sidelined for all but two games.

Bowens could have recovered from the lengthy time away but instead of pushing his luck, he opted to retire instead. Some would say he should have retired after the 2002 season, leaving on a Pro Bowl high-note but there was no reason to believe that the typically healthy Bowens would have setbacks for the following two seasons.