For Many Phins Fans, Being Patient Isn’t Easy

M.J.

5 years ago

All Phins Fans are starved for success, for many who haven’t seen Miami succeed, patience isn’t easy

Growing up in the 80’s and being a Phins fan meant being part of a select club of the elite NFL teams. Don Shula, Dan Marino, the Perfect Season, and five Super Bowl appearances in 25 years were enough to make any season feel like it could be special. And if it wasn’t, there was enough goodwill to be patient.

It felt good to be a Dolphins fan; they were a storied, respected, and honored team.

Then 1993 came and the downward spiral began.

1993 began the Dolphins fall

Coming off a defeat at home by the Bills in the AFC Championship where Buffalo ran the ball down the Phins throat, Dan Marino ruptured his Achilles tendon in Week 5 of 1993. Marino was such a warrior he got the pass off despite the tear. I still remember the shock and horror of seeing him down with everyone gathering around.

Scott Mitchell took over and threw a pick 6 on his first pass. He improved but went down for the count as well a few weeks later. Ultimately, Steve DeBerg led the Dolphins to five straight losses to end the season and they missed out on the playoffs. The 93′ team was a darn good team, but a season of promise ended in disaster. There was the unbelievable Thanksgiving Day win in the snow and the emergence of running back Terry Kirby that eased the pain of an ugly season.

1994 was the last good ride for Miami

The whole 1994 offseason was one of worry about whether Dan Marino would ever be the same again. Also, Joe Robbie sold the team to Wayne Huizenga.

One era closed, and a new one opened.

Marino showed his greatness with his special comeback game in the opener against the Pats and had the fake spike against the Jets. But Kirby went down for the season in Week 4 leaving Marino to carry the load alone. They beat the Joe Montana led Chiefs in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. A week later the Phins were a makeable kick from going back to the AFC Championship.

I remember feeling great as the Dolphins went into Half Time of that Charger game with a sizable lead. I jumped around celebrating in front of my friends who were Jets fans. My wooden Dolphins statue on the T.V. fell from my prancing around and snapped into pieces. I could feel the black clouds gather overhead.

As Stovonavich’s missed the 48-yard field goal after Marino’s unbelievable drive with half a minute remaining in the 2nd Half, all I could think was what if I didn’t break the statue?! It’s been near twenty-five years and you can bet with the pay per head sportsbook services those dark clouds are still there.

Wide right, laces out has been the road map for the Phins these last twenty-five seasons

So what’s the point of this trip down memory lane?

Jimmy Bourbon wrote an article the other day and it ended up making plenty of sparks. Some sadly agreed or respectfully disagreed while others were bitterly indignant. It was a hot button take on Rosen and this regime and hit the sore spot for all Phins Fans.

The whole fan base is ravenous for some good times–and a bit ornery.

Fans like Jimmy, who are in their early 30’s or younger, have only known a terrible football experience… but they are still here. These young fans are desperate to know what good times taste like. They don’t even have a clue of what they missing. Then there are the old fans like me who saw Marino from the beginning and had good times, just not great ones. We have ever been the bride’s maid and not the bride. Then there are the oldest fans who were a part of the Glory Years of the early 70’s. They are desperate to feel that joy again and their ride into ‘no man’s land’ has been the longest. And for them, time is getting short and they at least just want to see the Dolphins be respectable again.

Infighting between a fanbase is the last stage of a dysfunctional team. We don’t control what happens on the field, but we can control that. Whatever the viewpoint or age, all Phins Fans are in the same boat. Let’s remember while we might paddle differently, we all want to go in the same direction. Go Phins!!!