Worst Moment or Thing about the 1972 "Undefeated" Season?

[jtex316]

Vote, Discuss, Rebutte.

[jtex316]

I voted for Garo's botched play.

In the perfect season of 1972, there are only three vivid images of that entire season (from historical archives and film). They are:

1. Don Shula being lifted off the field after the Super Bowl
2. The final score on the Rose Bowl's scoreboard at 0:00
3. Garo's botched play.

He definitely made his mark on the 1972 season.

[Frimp]

I voted for Garo's botched play.

In the perfect season of 1972, there are only three vivid images of that entire season (from historical archives and film). They are:

1. Don Shula being lifted off the field after the Super Bowl
2. The final score on the Rose Bowl's scoreboard at 0:00
3. Garo's botched play.

He definitely made his mark on the 1972 season.

Agreed...and if he hit that field goal, the score would have been 17-0 instead of 14-7.

[JVides]

Has to be the Yepremian play, though Griese being out was probably, in reality, the worst thing about the season.

[masterfins]

^^^ I think Griese being out actually helped the team pull together as a unit.  The whole team knew they had to step up their game.

[Dave Gray]

That FG play got my vote, but it almost didn't because it was so hilarious and it didn't cost them.  I think that you could also make a point for the Phins being underdogs, but I think a lot of that is set by betting trends, so I can't be too bent about it.

[jtex316]

Someone voted for "Post-1972 Media Scrutiny"... (hint, hint)

[Brian Fein]

^^^ I voted for that, but maybe I don't understand what you meant.

I picked that one as a basic middle finger to the haters who claim that "they had a soft schedule" (etc) and trying to down-play the accomplishment.

[Pappy13]

None of the above.  There isn't one.

[norad34]

I really have an issue with the scheduling flap.

As far as I know, no NFL team goes to league headquarters and pick their schedules.

In 1972, the AFC East was weak. That was not Miami's problem. The Colts Johnny Unitas had went to San Diego, New England was floundering around and the Bills, up until 1980, had always found imaginative ways to lose to Miami.

The same can be said about the Patriots run to perfection. The AFC East was atrocious during their 16-1 run. That was 8 wins right there for the Pats. If the Pats would have won the SB, I wonder if people would be talking about their strength of schedule.

In the playoffs, Cleveland had a solid team, Miami came from behind and beat them. Then Miami had to go into a rowdy Three Rivers Stadium and play the AFC Championship game against the Steelers.

You play and try to win the games which are on your schedule. The Dolphins did that in 1972.

[Landshark]

In the playoffs, Cleveland had a solid team, Miami came from behind and beat them. Then Miami had to go into a rowdy Three Rivers Stadium and play the AFC Championship game against the Steelers.

That's why I voted for some other moment.  Why on earth were the Dolphins in Pittsburgh when they had a better record??  They almost lost that game.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I really have an issue with the scheduling flap.

As far as I know, no NFL team goes to league headquarters and pick their schedules.

True.  But in 1972 there was no set formula as there is today.  Someone in league office decided to give the AFC Champions the weakest schedule.  While not a Dolphin employee, he may have been a Dolphin fan or it could have just been luck.  But it was by human design not a set formula that got the Dolphin's the weak schedule.

The same can be said about the Patriots run to perfection. The AFC East was atrocious during their 16-1 run. That was 8 wins right there for the Pats. If the Pats would have won the SB, I wonder if people would be talking about their strength of schedule.

Seriously?  The 72 Dolphins did not play a single playoff team during the regular season.  And only two teams with winning records, both 8-6.

In the regular season of 2007, NE played and beat six playoff bound teams (Colts, Steelers, Chargers, Cowboys, Giants, and Redskins).  IIRC That was a record.  I don't recall if it tied or set a record, but beating 6 playoff bound teams in the regular season is the most anyone has ever done. Another team once played 7, but nobody has beaten more than 6 playoff bound teams in the regular season.

And the weak AFCE only accounted for 6 not 8 of NE's wins. 

If NE had won.  Nobody with the least bit of football knowledge would be knocking them on  SoS.   

[shamrock]

It was an entirely different NFL back then,and a different game.I remember watching that super bowl on tv and Garo's botched play was ridiculous to me even as a kid.And they kept showing it over and over and over.I think I was like 12 and I was truly embarassed for the guy.pathetic.

[norad34]

True.  But in 1972 there was no set formula as there is today.  Someone in league office decided to give the AFC Champions the weakest schedule.  While not a Dolphin employee, he may have been a Dolphin fan or it could have just been luck.  But it was by human design not a set formula that got the Dolphin's the weak schedule.

Seriously?  The 72 Dolphins did not play a single playoff team during the regular season.  And only two teams with winning records, both 8-6.

In the regular season of 2007, NE played and beat six playoff bound teams (Colts, Steelers, Chargers, Cowboys, Giants, and Redskins).  IIRC That was a record.  I don't recall if it tied or set a record, but beating 6 playoff bound teams in the regular season is the most anyone has ever done. Another team once played 7, but nobody has beaten more than 6 playoff bound teams in the regular season.

And the weak AFCE only accounted for 6 not 8 of NE's wins. 

If NE had won.  Nobody with the least bit of football knowledge would be knocking them on  SoS.   

Hoodie, I somewhat agree with a lot that you posted, but someone in the NFL office perhaps being a Dolphins fan and giving them an easy schedule? lol!

True, there was no set formula today like it was in 72. The NFL was just coming out of the merger two years earlier and the scheduling system wasn't really set. I don't think the scheduling system got straightened out until the mid 1990's.

For example, John Elway and Dan Marino only met twice in the regular season (1985 and 1998).

NFL Films has a documentary on the old scheduling system somewhere on You Tube. I think it was taken down.

But I don't think that the 72 Dolphins were the greatest team. I would have to say the 73 Dolphins were better. Overall, my pick is the 1984 49ers who beat Miami in the Super Bowl.

[Denver_Bronco]

I think the worst thing is hearing the Dolphin fan who wasn't even alive ,or out of diapers yet discussing an undefeated season like they actually witnessed it.