Dolphins Bring back the Glory Days. Kind of.

It's been a long time since I've watched the Miami Dolphins play NFL.  But last night I watched a replay of their match with the Jets, and it brought back a host of memories for me.

Lets start at the beginning, always a good place.  I grew up in the UK in the 80's, the perfect time to get into NFL.  The game boomed big time during the latter part of the decade.  Football was in a trough due to violence, the cricket team were pretty poor, the rugby side awful, and suddenly NFL arrived on a white charger to seduce a mass audience who wanted something different.

The Fridge arrived with Chicago to play at Wembley, and over the next few years, the names of Montana, Rice, Elway and Payton were as common as Rush, Dalglish and Hoddle, and the local side the Monarchs attracted 60,000 to Wembley every week.

For me, a gift from a family friend sealed my choice of side.  A full, and I mean helmet shoulder pads, the works, Miami Dolphins uniform.  This particular 9 year old was thrilled and regularly wore the whole ensemble around the house.  For me, Dan Marino was the hero.  The "Marks Brothers" Clayton and Duper ran close.

But as good as the Dolphins were on paper, it never translated into success.  A total lack of a running game and a dodgy defense killed them season after season.  It didn't matter though.  Marino was king for me.

Typically interest in NFL waned as the 80's hit the 90's.  The Monarchs fell over, and gradually the extensive coverage ebbed away to a timeslot more in keeping with home shopping.  I still loved my Phins though, even after Marino hung up the helmet with a swag of records but no Superbowl ring.

Fast forward to 2009.  To be honest I'd let the Dolphins slip a bit recently.  The opportunities to watch them were few and far between for me, after moving to Australia, and with the team in freefall, they were never an ideal pick for a broadcaster. 

But 2 years ago that changed.  I was selected to produce Superbowl 2008 for SBS, and so eagerly hit the research trail.  Sadly my beloved side slipped to their worst seaosn ever. 1-15.  Horrid.

Things improved last year as they bounced back to make the play-offs, winning the AFC East.  But even then, I followed without really watching.  The odd highlight on the net maybe.

But onto last night and the Jets game.  Staring down the barrel of going 1-4, the Phins were electric.  As ramshackled in defense as ever, but possessing a spectacular offensive style, the "wildcat" which basically means going without a Quarterback every now and then and snapping straight the running back.  The Phins have the best running game in the comp, and then snatched victory with 6 seconds remaining in a wild game that has rekindled my love for this often maligned sport, and team.

Sure, the names Brown and Henne don't mean much to me, but I was relieved to see a couple of familiar faces from years gone by.  Jason Taylor and Ricky Williams, who both had terrific matches, are chalk and cheese.  Taylor a big defensive back, with MVP honours throughout a glittering career.  Williams, the electric runner from 10 years ago, whose career slid into drugs, suspension and injury.  They were the stars as the Dolphions reminded me why I loved them all those years ago.

They may not win too many superbowls, but my God they'll be fun to wtach along the way.