Who would you put on the Dolphins' Mount Rushmore?

[Phishfan]

I really think this conversation is really odd now. Maybe I just don't understand your definition of "one of the best" but given the sheer numbers of players over the years excluding any Hall of Famer from "one of the best" just sounds odd to me.

[Dave Gray]

Jason Taylor is one of the best Dolphins' players of all time.

I agree.  I was comparing him to Paul Warfield on a league-wide level.

[Spider-Dan]

^^ Right - so why is Zach's name on this list of nominees, and Jim Langer (a HOFer) is not?

Jim Langer is an offensive lineman, which automatically puts him 3 steps behind in prestige.  Stephenson was arguably the best center of all time, Webb played LT (the most high-profile OL position) for the most high-profile QB, and they have 1 vote between them so far; Larry Little has 0.  (And for the record, Webb was on the list over Langer even though Webb isn't in the HOF.)

Sorry, but the fact that there are three OLinemen already on the list to choose from more than satisfies the token "we respect the trenches" requirement.  Put rather bluntly, the only way you're putting OLinemen on your Mt. Rushmore is if your team has starved for skill-position talent (see: Bengals, Seahawks).  LB/DE/CB are the QB/RB/WR of the defense, and get "screen time" accordingly.

[Brian Fein]

If I'm creating a list of Mt. Rushmore nominees, I start with all HOFers at a minimum, and add from there.

The fact that Richmond Webb is on the list over Jim Langer proves my point about time-sensitive bias.  The same can be said to explain why Mark Clayton has 2 votes and Paul Warfield has none.  Does anyone really think Clayton was a better WR than Warfield?

[masterfins]

The fact that Richmond Webb is on the list over Jim Langer proves my point about time-sensitive bias.  The same can be said to explain why Mark Clayton has 2 votes and Paul Warfield has none.  Does anyone really think Clayton was a better WR than Warfield?

I voted for Clayton, I think he is always overlooked.  Clayton is #2 on the Fins list of career yardage for receivers with 8643 (behind Duper who had 8869); Clayton had 82 TD's as a Dolphin (Duper had 59).  Warfield was a great receiver, especially for his era, but since this is a Miami Mt. Rushmore I would not pick Warfield because he only played 5 seasons with the Dolphins, and had only 33 TDs with the Fins.  Warfield is #9 on Dolphins receiving yardage with 3355.

[Spider-Dan]

If I'm creating a list of Mt. Rushmore nominees, I start with all HOFers at a minimum, and add from there.

So you automatically exclude anyone who hasn't been retired for at least five years, then.  Time-sensitive bias?

Just for the record, if we had this discussion in, say, 2003, would you exclude Marino for the same reason?

[Brian Fein]

I didn't say exclude.  I said bias.  I know you know the difference.

But, doesn't the Hall of Fame do that for that same reason?

[Spider-Dan]

Fair enough.  I thought you were saying that no non-HOFer should win over a HOFer.

If your point is that Jim Langer deserves to be in the poll, that is a reasonable statement.  He would almost certainly receive as many votes as Larry Little did, but he should be in the discussion.

[tits muldoon]

How could Bob Griese not be a lock? Seriously their cannot b a legit Dolphin Mt. Rushmore w/out him. Could certainly make a case for him to be #1 or 2 on the list. The pack has many great players over the years , so what bart starr doesn't make that list? It goes Shula,Marino or Griese then wide open for everyone else!! Zonk-Taylor-Langer-Warfield all good choices hell how about Stanfill & Vern-Den-Herder or Doug Betters? Was Jason Taylor even the dolphins best DE ever?

[Sunstroke]

Was Jason Taylor even the dolphins best DE ever? 

Easy question...gets the easy answer:  Yes

[Phishfan]

Was Jason Taylor even the dolphins best DE ever?

Easily

[Pappy13]

The fact that Richmond Webb is on the list over Jim Langer proves my point about time-sensitive bias.  The same can be said to explain why Mark Clayton has 2 votes and Paul Warfield has none.  Does anyone really think Clayton was a better WR than Warfield?

Possibly. What is so special about Warfield? I mean he was really really good, but it's not like Clayton wasn't.

[Pappy13]

But, doesn't the Hall of Fame do that for that same reason?

I think the main reason the Hall of Fame does is so that they know you are really retired. Don't want to put someone in the hall that's playing.

[tits muldoon]

I concede that JT was the best over the long haul. So maybe u can make a case for him over Zonk if u would like. But the bigger point I was trying to make was Griese has got to be in.  If your a Fins fan its really a no brainer, unless you are younger & don't count the glory years before Danny boy came along?

[phinphan]

I don't know about Griese being a shoe in why not Earl Morall He one more of the games in the undefeated season. Lets be honest to be QB for miami was the ability to hand the ball off to the Zonka. Bob was always mediocre at qb position.