Marco Coleman, Miami Dolphins, 1993
Coleman attended Georgia Tech in college. Even though he only played three years, he left the school with a record 28 sacks. He earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors his junior year. In 1990, Coleman was named to the Sporting News All-American second team.
The Miami Dolphins drafted him in the first round of the 1992 NFL draft with the 12th overall pick. In his rookie season, Coleman split time between left outside linebacker and right defensive end. He recorded a total of six sacks along with 84 tackles and a forced fumble on his way to being named the Sports Ilustrated Rookie of the Year and also the Sporting News Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Read more after the jump.
1993 would see Coleman take over the right defensive end position, starting 15 games. He recorded five and a half sacks and forced two fumbles with a total of 54 tackles.
Displaying consistency, Coleman collected six sacks in 1994 with three forced fumbles and 34 tackles. He would rack up a progressive career high in 1995 with six and a half sacks. He started all 32 games over the two year period.
As an unrestricted free agent, Coleman left in 1996 to sign with the San Diego Chargers, playing three seasons there. He later played three seasons with the Washington Redskins, earning his first and only Pro Bowl selection in 2000. Coleman later also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Denver Broncos, retiring after the 2005 season.
For Miami, Coleman totalled 24 sacks in 63 games, forcing six fumbles and making 205 tackles. He would total 65.5 sacks over his 14 year NFL career. He currently coaches for Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, FL.
0 recs | 7 comments
VERN DEN HERDER
Easily… Jason Taylor was a great player… but how many rings does he have ?
Now I am not one to judge a player by rings only – but I just mention it. bill Stanfield also celebrated the championship. – both were GREAT players when it was much harder to get sacks – and teams mostly ran the ball anyway.
I think Taylor could have easily fit in on the 71-74 era dolphins greatest teams – but you have to recognize the Den herder and Stanfield have the championship resume… Taylor does not. they made plays in BIG games, Taylor rarely got the chance.
62Lou - February 14, 2012
So I guess based on that logic that Bob>Dan?
texascowpunk - February 14, 2012
I never said that...
Just food for thought. but Den herder was right there with Taylor, AND he has 2 rings.
whats your opinion ?
62Lou - February 14, 2012
I am torn but I probably still go with Taylor. He was unique in all he could do and it was not his fault that he played
on a team where he was one of the few stars.
texascowpunk - February 14, 2012
Bill Stanfill is 2nd best
Stanfill is the next best DE after Taylor, hands down. Pro Bowl player 4-5 times, All-Pro at least one year maybe two, he was DOMINANT for the no-names and was getting double-digit sacks each year for his 6-7 quality years (although NFL didn’t track sacks back then). After Bounticonti and the two safeties, he was the best defensive player on those great defensive teams.
I think VDH and Betters would round out the second string on the Dolphins all-time DE list. VDH for longevity and high quality, and Betters for a string of terrorizing offenses for a brief 3-4 year period before getting hurt.
douglaskoehne - February 14, 2012
Well said...
Alpha6 - February 14, 2012
When I first glanced at this I genuinely thought it said Marco Colombo haha
Irishphan - February 15, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of The Phinsider to post a comment.