List of Miami Dolphins Starting Quarterbacks - History - Griese Era

Griese Era

Bob Griese, a quarterback from Purdue, was selected by the Miami Dolphins as the fourth pick, in the first round of 1967 Common Draft. Entering the 1967 season rookie Griese was slated to develop as a backup quarterback behind John Stofa. However, due to an ankle injury suffered during the first game of the season, Stofa was sidelined, and Griese finished the game leading the Dolphins to 35-21 victory over the Denver Broncos. Griese started the next two games, but sustained an injury during the week five game against the New York Jets and was replaced by Rick Norton for three games. Griese resumed the role of starting QB for the remaining eight games of his rookie season.

For the next 13 seasons Bob Griese started a majority of the Miami Dolphins' games. During that tenure Griese became the first Miami Dolphin quarterback to start all of the season's games in 1970, lead by head coach Don Shula. In the same year the Dolphins collected their first winning season and playoff berth, but lost against the Oakland Raiders 21-14 in the Divisional Round. The following year, 1971, the Dolphins made their first Super Bowl appearance against the Dallas Cowboys, but lost 24-3.

In 1972 Griese started and won the first five games of the season, but fell victim to injury against the San Diego Chargers. Earl Morrall started and won the remaining nine games of season. Morrall started both the Divisional and AFC conference games, but Griese returned to start Super Bowl VII. Griese's 14-7 win against the Washington Redskins completed the NFL's first and only perfect season. Earl Morrall's performance earned him the NFL's inaugural Comeback Player of the Year Award. Starting 11 of the season's 17 games, contributions from his 1972 season and further performances in his career have listed him as one of the top back-up quarterbacks in NFL history.

In 1973 Griese started 13 regular season games, and led the Dolphins to their third consecutive Super Bowl appearance, the first in NFL history and second consecutive Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl VIII, the second in NFL history.

Over the next seven years Bob Griese started 74 regular season and three playoff games. He sustained a multitude of injuries and shared the starting role with quarterbacks Earl Morrall, Don Strock, and David Woodley, but finally in 1980, against the Baltimore Colts, Griese sustained a shoulder-injury that would prompt him to retire at the end of the season.

Throughout his career Griese played in six pro bowls, two all-star games, was elected the Dolphins MVP six times, and was named All-Pro in 1971 and 1977. Throughout the 1970s the Miami Dolphins had the highest winning percentage in all of professional sports. Griese was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Following the end of the Griese era, quarterback David Woodley became the Dolphins starting quarterback and continued the Dolphin's success. Woodley made it to the playoffs in 1981 and in 1982. During the 1982 season the Dolphins lost in their fourth Super Bowl appearance against the Washington Redskins 17-27. In 1983, Woodley lost the starting job to rookie quarterback Dan Marino. David Woodley is known as being the transition quarterback between Bob Griese and Dan Marino.