New Orleans Hornets

Note: The Hornets retired Pistol Pete's number during their first game in New Orleans in honor of his basketball contributions to the area at LSU and with New Orleans' previous NBA team, the Jazz. Instead, they hired Louisiana State University coach Nick Saban. The team found better support for their younger, scrappier players than they did last year when the team was better on the floor. Despite this, the Dolphins decided not to hire Bates for the permanent coaching position. Despite the lack of success, the team's roster was reshaped, with older veterans Baron Davis and Jamal Mashburn traded to facilitate a rebuilding process. He was replaced on an interim basis by defensive coordinator Jim Bates. Under Bates, the Dolphins fared much better, winning three of their final seven games, including a 29-28 upset victory over the defending champion Patriots on December 20. The team performed better in January and February, but the season was essentially over before it started with the horrendous start. After a 1-8 start, Wannstedt resigned on November 9, 2004.

The team was expected to compete for a playoff spot in the tougher Western Conference, but an 0-8 start turned into a 2-29 start, which started a watch of how bad their record could get, threatening the Philadelphia 76ers' record of a 9-73 season. This led to them being dead-last in the NFL as well as the subject to nicknames like "Stinky Fish" and, to fans, "We Stink". After the season, Floyd was fired and the team hired Byron Scott to be their head coach. These predictions proved right; the Dolphins dropped their first six games of the 2004 year, marking the worst start in franchise history. Without the shot by Wade, the 2004-05 NBA season might have been altered with Shaq perhaps going to a different team and the Heat not being bona fide NBA title contenders. Many experts predicted a disastrous season for the Dolphins. An 85-77 win in game 7 moved the Heat on to round two, but more importantly, set the stage for the summer's acquisition of Shaquille O'Neal in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. Tight end Randy McMichael was arrested for domestic violence and wide receiver David Boston (signed from San Diego) suffered an injury in training camp and will miss the season (Boston also failed a drug test for steroids later in the season). But the biggest shock came when Ricky Williams retired under mysterious circumstances, probably related to drug use.

The teams ended up winning all their respective home games after that, but Wade's shot was the difference even though the series went 7 games, the Heat winning 4-3. The 2004 offseason was terrible for the Dolphins. They drew the Miami Heat, but Dwyane Wade's last second shot sunk the Hornets in game 1 of the series. At the end of the season it was announced that Dan Marino would return to the team as its president, but quit after a month. He was replaced by Tim Floyd, and the Hornets got off to a 17-7 start, but the team reverted to form and finished 41-41, narrowly missing out on home court advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Miami finished 10-6, but it was still short of a playoff spot. After the season, the team decided to move in a different direction and allowed the contract of head coach Paul Silas to expire. In 2003 the Dolphins again started strong (4-1) but finished weak, with devastating mid-season losses to the Patriots, Colts and Titans submarining them.

They qualified for the playoffs for the fourth straight year in 2002-03, but were beaten by Philadelphia again, where Iverson again shredded them, this time dropping 55 points in one game. Fans wanted Wannstedt's firing, but he was kept on for the 2003 season. First NBA game played in New Orleans in 23 years. Due to a tiebreaker, both the Dolphins and Patriots lost out on the playoffs as the Jets took the AFC East title. October 30, 2002: The New Orleans Hornets open their inaugural season in New Orleans against former New Orleans NBA team the Utah Jazz; "Pistol" Pete Maravich has his number retired during halftime. The Dolphins started the season 5-1 before Fiedler got injured and was replaced by Ray Lucas, who lost three straight. Because the competition in the division was so close, the Dolphins still had a chance to win the division in the final week against the Patriots, but blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and lost in overtime. The Bobcats began play in November of 2004. Miami revitalized its running game in time for the 2002 season by signing running back Ricky Williams from the New Orleans Saints.

Shortly after that, Charlotte would be awarded a new NBA franchise, the Charlotte Bobcats. Miami had to settle for a wild card, and lost 20-3 to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round. In May of 2002 the Hornets were given permission to move to New Orleans, Louisiana, where they became the New Orleans Hornets. That honor went to Super Bowl champion New England. They returned the following season by beating the Orlando Magic, but were upended by the New Jersey Nets. In the 2001 season the Dolphins lost two games to the New York Jets, which cost them the division title. The Hornets, with the lineup of Davis, Wesley, Mashburn, Brown and Campbell made it back to the playoffs, where they defeated the 3rd ranked Heat and made it to the second round for the third time in franchise history. The 2000 season notwithstanding, late-season collapses have been the norm in Miami since the late 1990s.

Brown. Miami won a tough overtime game over the Indianapolis Colts on a Lamar Smith touchdown in the wild card round, but were shut out by the Oakland Raiders in the divisional playoff. Jones led the league in steals, but in the offseason he and Mason were shipped to the Miami Heat in exchange for small forward Jamal Mashburn and power forward P.J. Despite the obviously lowered expectations, the defense broke through with Jason Taylor and Trace Armstrong both getting 10 sacks, and four players (Sam Madison, Brian Walker, Brock Marion and Patrick Surtain) getting at least five interceptions. In addition, Lamar Smith rushed for over 1000 yards and Miami finished atop the AFC East with an 11-5 record. The team returned to the playoffs, where they were shredded by Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76'ers. Dave Wannstedt, formerly of the Chicago Bears, became the new coach; and Jay Fiedler became the new quarterback for the 2000 season. His number was retired on February 9, and was a sad note in the franchise's history. After the season, Jimmy Johnson left the team and Marino retired.

The lineup of Wesley, Jones, Mason, Coleman and Campbell tore through much of the season, but on January 12, 2000 Bobby Phills was killed in a tragic automobile accident. After a close win over Seattle in the wild card round, they suffered one the worst playoff losses in NFL history against the Jacksonville Jaguars: 62-7. 1999-2000 was a return to prominence, with the addition of free agent Derrick Coleman and third overall draft pick point guard Baron Davis to the mix. Miami went 2-6 in their last eight games, but still backed into the playoffs at 9-7. The team finished tied with the Knicks for the last playoff spot, losing the tiebreaker. In Marino's first game back, he would have the worst game of his career, on Thanksgiving in Dallas, throwing 5 interceptions and having a passer rating of 0.0. 1999 was turbulent, with Rice being traded to the Lakers for Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell, both Geiger and Divac leaving in free agency, and Bogues leaving the team for good. In 1999 Marino would be injured in a game where backup Damon Huard led a comeback.

With Wesley, Phills, Rice, Mason and Divac, the Hornets romped through the regular season, with Rice finishing sixth in scoring and earning all-NBA third team honors and the team making it all the way to the second round of the playoffs for the second time in franchise history, being stopped by Jordan and the Bulls. The Dolphins beat the Bills in the wild card round, but lost to the eventual champion Denver Broncos (who lost only one of two games that season to Miami) in the divisional playoff. The team picked up a new free-agent backcourt in point guard David Wesley and shooting guard Bobby Phills. McDuffie, but it was not enough to get past the New York Jets into first place in the division. 1997-98 was also successful. Miami had a solid 10-6 season in 1998 with a career season for receiver O.J. The team also spotted the best season of their history, making it back to the playoffs. In 1997 Miami stumbled late and backed into the playoffs with a 9-7 season, losing to the New England Patriots in the wild card round.

Rice was also the allstar game MVP, setting several scoring records. In 1996 Miami finished 8-8 and out of the playoffs, with rookie Karim Abdul-Jabbar's 1000-yard rushing season one of the lone bright spots. The new-look Hornets were apparently even better, however, with Divac and Geiger providing the best center combo in the league, Mason averaging a double-double and all-NBA third team honors, Bogues back at the point, and Rice having the finest season of his career, finishing third in the league in scoring and earning all-NBA second team honors. Jimmy Johnson, who had won a collegiate national championship at the University of Miami and two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys, was named as Shula’s replacement. The offseason was again marked by vast changes, as Anderson declined to resign with the team, Johnson was shipped to New York for power forward Anthony Mason, and lottery draft pick guard Kobe Bryant was traded to the Lakers for center Vlade Divac. Following the 1995 season Don Shula became an executive in the Dolphins’ front office. Geiger and Johnson tied for the team lead in rebounds, while Johnson and Rice provided balanced but high-powered scoring, with all-star guard Kenny Anderson running the point for the injured Muggsy Bogues. In 1995 Marino broke the career passing records formerly held by Fran Tarkenton for yards (48,841), touchdowns (352), and completions (3,913). The Dolphins finished 9-7, second in the AFC East, but still made the playoffs as a wild card; losing to Buffalo in the first round.

In the offseason the team dealt Mourning to the Miami Heat for guard Glen Rice and center Matt Geiger. After beating the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild card round, they suffered a heart-breaking last-second loss to the San Diego Chargers in the divisional playoff. The next few years were marked by injuries to Johnson and Mourning, though they did get back to the playoffs in 1994-95, only to be beaten by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. With Marino back for the 1994 season they won the AFC East again with a 10-6 record. However, they lacked the experience and depth to defeat the New York Knicks. Both Marino and backup Scott Mitchell suffered season-ending injuries, and Miami lost its final 5 games to miss the playoffs at 9-7. It was good enough for fifth in the Eastern Conference and a playoff spot, where they upset the Boston Celtics with Mournings famous series-winning shot. 1993 turned into a disastrous year for the Dolphins.

The Hornets now had twin 20-10 threats in Johnson and Mourning, who with Gill formed perhaps the league's top young trio. They beat the Chargers in the divisional playoff, but were stunned by the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship. In 1992-93, the team won the second pick in the draft, using it to draft center Alonzo Mourning from Georgetown. The Dolphins finished 11-5 in 1992, capturing the AFC East title in Mark Higgs' best season as a running back and Keith Jackson (newly acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles) leading the team in receiving. Kendall Gill led the club in scoring, with over 20 points per game. They beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild card round, but lost to the Buffalo Bills in the divisional playoff. The team struggled with defensive injuries in 1991, and narrowly missed the playoffs on an overtime loss to the New York Jets the final week of the season. Johnson had an impact season, finishing among league leaders in points and rebounds, and winning NBA rookie of the year. By 1990 the Dolphins had finally shaped up on defense, and finished with a 11-5 record, second in the AFC East.

For the 1991-92 season, the Hornets drafted power forward Larry Johnson from UNLV with the number one overall pick. Miami had their first losing season in years in 1988, and were back to 8-8 in 1989. For the 1990-91 season, the team picked up guard Kendall Gill in the NBA draft, and got slightly better, but still managed to win the NBA Draft lottery and the rights to the number one overall pick. The problems continued in 1987, with an 8-7 record in a strike-shortened year; their first at new Joe Robbie Stadium. The team also had sharpshooting rookie Rex Chapman, who was also an instant scoring threat. In 1986 the Dolphins, hampered by defensive struggles, stumbled to 8-8, out of the playoff picture. Tripucka was Charlotte's top scorer for the franchise's first two seasons. New England forced 6 turnovers on the way to a 31-14 win - the Patriots' first in Miami since 1969.

The team was led by guard Kelly Tripucka, who provided instant points. The cinderella New England Patriots, the Dolphins' opponents in the AFC Championship, had different plans. 1988: The franchise plays its first game as the Charlotte Hornets. After beating the Cleveland Browns in the divisional playoffs, many people were looking forward to a rematch with Chicago in Super Bowl XX. Oct. In 1985 Miami went 12-4 and was the only team that beat the Chicago Bears all year. The current head coach is Byron Scott. It would be Marino's only Super Bowl appearance.

The New Orleans Hornets are a National Basketball Association team based in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. In the title game, however, Miami lost to the San Francisco 49ers 38-16. David West. Miami beat the Seahawks and Steelers in the playoffs to get to Super Bowl XIX. Jackson Vroman. Marino, in his first full season, was voted MVP as he threw for over 5000 yards and 48 touchdowns. Smith. In 1984, the Dolphins won their first 11 games en route to a 14-2 season.

J.R. Defensive End Doug Betters was the Defensive Player of the Year. Lee Nailon. Seldom sacked by defenders, Marino was protected by an outstanding offensive line as he passed to receivers such as Mark Clayton and Mark Duper. Despite the regular season success (the Dolphins went 12-4, the only team in the AFC East with a winning record), they were upset in the divisional playoff by the Seattle Seahawks. Bostjan Nachbar. During the mid-1980s Marino produced the most impressive set of passing statistics in NFL history, setting single-season records for most yards (5,084), touchdown passes (48), and completions (362) during the 1984 season. Jamaal Magloire. During the third game of the 1983 season, Shula replaced quarterback David Woodley with rookie Dan Marino, who went on to win the AFC passing championship and rookie of the year award.

George Lynch. Ironically after enjoying success rooted in a defense-first philosophy, and employing a ball control offense to take pressure off of lacklustre quarterbacks, the next 17 seasons would be marked by an average rushing game and defense that limited a great quarterback. Maciej Lampe. After shutting out the New York Jets in the AFC championship, they lost Super Bowl XVII to Washington 27-17. Casey Jacobsen. In the second round against San Diego the Dolphins got revenge for their loss the previous year, winning even more handily. Dan Dickau. In the first round in Miami, they met again, with the Dolphins winning easily.

Speedy Claxton. Late in the season in a snowy game against the New England Patriots, a convicted felon on work release cleared a path for Patriots kicker John Smith to score the game-winning field goal. Brown. During the first two rounds of the playoffs they got revenge for previous losses. P.J. In the strike-shortened season of 1982, the Dolphins, led by the "Killer B's" defense (Baumhower, Bill Barnett, Lyle Blackwood, Kim Bokamper and Bob Brudzinski), held five of their nine opponents to 14 or fewer points en route to their fourth Super Bowl appearance. Chris Andersen. Chargers tight end Kellen Winslow, under exhaustion, blocked Uwe von Schummann's field goal try on the last play of regulation, and Rolf Benirschke kicked the game-winner for San Diego in overtime.

13 Bobby Phills. After being down 24-0, Miami tied it at 24. After taking the lead, San Diego tied it up 38-38 late. 7 Pete Maravich. The Dolphins were back on top of the AFC East in the 1981 season, with an 11-4-1 record. They reached the divisional playoff against the San Diego Chargers, regarded by some as one of the most memorable games in NFL history. 6 (Sixth Man) -- The Fans. The Dolphins finished 8-8 and out of the playoffs. Baron Davis. In 1980 the late David Woodley took over at quarterback and Griese retired after the season.

Glen Rice. After winning the division with a 10-6 record, the Dolphins lost the divisional playoff to the eventual champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Alonzo Mourning. Csonka returned to the Dolphins in time for the 1979 season. Larry Johnson. They made the playoffs as a wild card in 1978, but lost in the first round to the Houston Oilers. Rex Chapman-First player signed by the franchise. The Dolphins went 10-4 again in 1977, but again lost the division title (and playoff spot) to the Colts.

Muggsy Bogues. Duhe and linemen Bob Baumhower and Doug Betters. J. Shula built a solid defense around a new set of stars, including linebacker A. Miami rebounded from a losing record in 1976 by winning ten or more games in four of the next five seasons.

After the disappointing defeat, several players, including Csonka, Warfield, and running back Jim Kiick, joined the short-lived World Football League. The Dolphins managed to win ten games in 1975, aided by Griese’s consistency and the fine play of wide receiver Nat Moore. They did not make the playoffs however, losing on a tiebreaker to the Baltimore Colts. Miami reached the playoffs again in 1974 but lost in the first round to the Oakland Raiders. The Dolphins won 12 games during the 1973 season and repeated as Super Bowl VIII champions, routing the Minnesota Vikings 24-7. It was led by linebacker Nick Buoniconti, end Bill Stanfill, and safeties Dick Anderson and Jake Scott.

The 1972 Dolphins defensive unit, called the No-Name Defense because Miami’s impressive offense received much more publicity, was the league’s best that year. The offensive line included future Hall of Fame members Jim Langer and Larry Little. During this season, Griese and veteran quarterback Earl Morrall shared the passing duties, and running backs Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris became the first teammates to rush for more than 1,000 yards each. (This is sometimes called the "Perfect Season".) Miami went on to win two playoff games and then Super Bowl VII, defeating the Washington Redskins 14-7.

In 1972 the Dolphins accomplished an amazing feat, becoming the first NFL team to finish a season undefeated (the 1948 Cleveland Browns had accomplished the feat, but as members of the All-America Football Conference). In Super Bowl VI, however, Miami lost to the Dallas Cowboys 24-3. The AFC Divisional Playoff Game, in which the Dolphins defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, was the longest contest in NFL history (82 minutes 40 seconds). The Dolphins were a successful team during the early 1970s, capturing the AFC championship in 1971 behind quarterback Bob Griese and wide receiver Paul Warfield.

Miami joined the NFL in 1970 when the NFL and AFL completed their merger. The Dolphins began play in 1966, and after four consecutive losing seasons, Don Shula replaced George Wilson as head coach. Miami joined the American Football League (AFL) when an expansion team franchise was awarded to lawyer Joseph Robbie and actor Danny Thomas in 1965. He piloted the Dolphins to numerous playoff appearances and one Super Bowl, and he holds numerous NFL career passing records.

During the 1980s and 1990s quarterback Dan Marino became the most prolific passer in NFL history. Five future Hall of Fame members played for Miami during the 1970s, including running back Larry Csonka and quarterback Bob Griese. In 1972 the Dolphins became the first and only NFL team to complete a 14-game regular season (and the entire postseason) without a loss. His Dolphins teams posted losing records in only 2 of his 26 seasons with the club.

For most of their history, the Dolphins were coached by Don Shula, the winningest head coach in professional football history. The team is named for the dolphins that inhabit the coastal waters of Florida. Miami Dolphins, professional football team and one of the four teams in the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) of the National Football League (NFL). The Miami Dolphins are a National Football League team based in Miami, Florida.

Jimmy Johnson (coach). Garo Yepremian. Ricky Williams. Paul Warfield.

John Stofa. Dwight Stephenson. Jake Scott. Mercury Morris.

Nat Moore. Gene Mingo. Wahoo McDaniel. Larry Little.

Jim Kiick. Cookie Gilchrist. Mark Duper. Mark Clayton.

Keith Byars. Nick Buoniconti. Dick Anderson. Larry Csonka 39.

Dan Marino 13. Bob Griese12. Zach Thomas. Jason Taylor.

Junior Seau. Randy McMichael. Sam Madison. Sammy Knight.

Jeno James. Gus Frerotte. Chris Chambers. Tim Bowens.

Marty Booker. Paul Warfield. Dwight Stephenson. Don Shula.

Dan Marino. Larry Little. Jim Langer. Bob Griese.

Larry Csonka. Nick Buoniconti.