After celebrating the Dolphins by highlighting their players who someday could be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we flip the script to give you Miami’s Hall of Shame.
Worst breakup: Running back Ricky Williams
In 2002, the Dolphins traded three draft picks, including two first-rounders, for the former Saint. While his first two seasons in Miami were productive, things quickly turned south.
In 2004, the NFL announced that Williams, who previously tested positive for marijuana after joining Miami, had failed another drug test and faced a fine and a four-game suspension. After rumors that Williams had failed a third drug test swirled, he shockingly retired.
Williams came out of retirement in 2005 after paying back part of his signing bonus and serving his four-game suspension. He rushed for 743 yards that season but was later banned for all of 2006 after failing another drug test.
Upon returning to the field in 2007, Williams suffered a torn pectoral muscle during his season debut, and the Dolphins shut him down for the remainder of the season. Williams rebounded from the injury to play three more productive seasons in Miami, splitting carries with backfield mate Ronnie Brown before finishing his career as a Raven.
Worst draft pick: Defensive end Dion Jordan
The 2013 NFL Draft featured several awful first-round selections, but none were worse than Jordan, the third overall pick.
The 6-foot-6, 284-pounder played in all 16 games during his rookie season, but he recorded only 26 tackles and two sacks and didn’t start a game. During the 2014 offseason, Jordan received a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy, which was lifted after two games due to a rule change.
Jordan’s punishment wasn’t enough to deter him from further ruining his career. In September 2014, Jordan received an additional four-game suspension, and a year later, he earned a season-long ban for a diluted drug test sample. In 2017, the Dolphins released Jordan after he failed a physical.
Worst free-agency signing: Center Jake Grove
A second-round pick by Oakland in 2004, Grove played five injury-riddled seasons with the Raiders, missing 26 games during his tenure. His health concerns didn’t faze Miami, and the team handed him a five-year, $29.5 million deal during the 2009 offseason to be its starting center.
Besides the scenery, nothing changed for Grove while playing for Miami. His health issues persisted, limiting him to 12 games and 10 starts. During the 2010 preseason, Grove’s lingering knee and shoulder injuries worsened, and Miami cut him just a year after signing him.
Worst loss: 1999 divisional round, Jan. 15, 2000
The Dolphins finished the 1999 regular season 9-7, earning a wild card berth and a date with the Seattle Seahawks, which they won, 20-17. In the divisional round, Miami played the AFC Central champion Jacksonville Jaguars (14-2).
The disparity between talent levels became apparent immediately. Jacksonville jumped to a 24-0 lead in the first quarter and led 41-7 at halftime. Any hope of a miraculous second-half comeback by Miami never materialized. The Dolphins didn’t score for the remainder of the game, and Jacksonville continued to pile on, ultimately winning 62-7.
In the final game of his storied career, Miami QB Dan Marino threw for 95 yards and one touchdown.
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Recap
Miami Dolphins Hall of Shame: Ranking the most regrettable breakups and more
This article focuses on the “Hall of Shame” for the Miami Dolphins, highlighting some of the worst moments in the team’s history. It begins by discussing the worst breakup, which occurred when running back Ricky Williams faced multiple drug test failures and retirements during his time with the Dolphins. The article then discusses the worst draft pick, defensive end Dion Jordan, who faced multiple suspensions and ultimately was released by the team. The worst free-agency signing is identified as center Jake Grove, who dealt with persistent health issues and was cut by Miami. Lastly, the article mentions the team’s worst loss, a devastating defeat in the 1999 divisional round of the playoffs.
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