Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Mon Aug 07, 2023 10:20 am Besides his mobility and running ability, Shula liked Woodley's ability to help win games for the Dolphins. His starting record for Miami was 30-14-1 counting postseason.

Woodley didn’t help win games. The Dolphins won in spite of him

CSKreager wrote: ↑Mon Aug 07, 2023 2:10 am Has there ever been a QB that basically did less and still won?

In Miami, he was the epitome of 'won in spite of.' The best thing about him as a QB was that he had Don Shula.

He lucked out in falling to Miami in the draft, the Killer B’s basically had to carry him. Like, how many other teams in the early 80s could he have started for?

Put him on the early 80s Saints/Colts and he'd have been just as bad as Art Schlichter

Miami needed back-to-back 5 INT games against more talented Charger/Jet teams which says a lot about the margin for error.

If they start Strock in SB 17, they win that game IMO.

I will never understand what Shula saw in this guy.

Conversely, how good was the defense around him as a defense, and the running game as a running game?

The Dolphins in 1982 had a great pass defense as the season went into postseason, which was characteristic of a Bill Arnsparger defense, but could have some trouble against the run.
Had Woodley played a better second half against the Redskins, the defense might have held up better against Riggins but constant three-and-outs on offense kept them on the field.

People have mentioned Strock replacing Woodley for the second half in that game but just like SB III, Shula went with his starter because the score was within reason. I feel in both games, had Unitas and Strock went in sooner, Shula might have had a chance to win those games, although the Colts and Dolphins, like his Dolphins against the Cowboys in SB VI as well ... just couldnt stop the opposing running game.