Bob Cook

The similarities between the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins and the so-far-undefeated 2005 Indianapolis Colts are eerie. So much so, you wonder if the Colts will be the ones to force the surviving members of that Dolphins team to dump their somebody-finally-lost champagne in frustration as another team finally matches their feat of going through the season unscathed.

The similarities emanate from the coaches of the 1972 Dolphins and 2005 Colts, Don Shula and Tony Dungy, respectively. You don’t have to be the kind of conspiracy or paranormal theorist who points out all the strange coincidences between presidents Lincoln and Kennedy to see the parallels between the two accomplished coaches.

Shula played in the offensive backfield at a college in his native Midwest, but was moved to the defensive backfield in the NFL. Dungy played in the offensive backfield at a college in his native Midwest, but was moved to the defensive backfield in the NFL.

Shula retired at a relatively young age, became an NFL assistant at 30, and a head coach at 33. Dungy retired at a relatively young age, became an NFL assistant at 25, and a head coach at 41.

Shula has coached the Colts and a team in Florida. Dungy coaches the Colts and has coached a team in Florida.

In his first stop at Baltimore, Shula was known as an innovative, smart young head coach whose teams for some reason could never win the big one. In his first stop at Tampa Bay, Dungy was known as an innovative, smart young head coach whose teams for some reason could never win the big one. Shula’s Colts won the Super Bowl the year after he left. Dungy’s Buccaneers won the Super Bowl the year after he left.

Coming to Miami in 1970, Shula almost literally reversed the Dolphins’ record from the season before, taking them from 3-10-1 to 10-4. Coming to Indianapolis in 2002, Dungy literally reversed the Colts’ record from the year before, taking them from 6-10 to 10-6.

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In his first few years in Miami, Shula continued to suffer the reputation of his teams never winning the big one. In his first few years in Indianapolis, Dungy has continued to suffer the reputation of his teams never winning the big one.

During the course of his team’s undefeated season, Shula won his 100th career game, a blowout against an overmatched division rival, New England. During the course of his team’s undefeated season, Dungy won his 100th career game, a blowout against an overmatched division rival, Houston.

Shula’s Dolphins in 1972 scored more points, and gave up fewer points, than anyone in the NFL. Dungy’s Colts in 2005 have scored more points than anyone in the NFL, and given up fewer points than all but one team (Chicago).

Shula’s defense was dubbed the “No-Name Defense” because it consisted of players most people had never heard of. But it shined under defensive coordinator Bill Arnsparger’s philosophy of a speedy, relentless, ball-hawking defense, with zone pass coverage. One thing that really disrupted opposing offenses: linebacker Bob Matheson positioning himself at the defensive line to rush the backfield.

Dungy’s defense could be dubbed the “No-Name Defense” because it consists of players nobody has heard of, except for Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney. But it has shined under Dungy’s philosophy — adopted from protégé Marty Schottenheimer, who was a protégé of Arnsparger — of a speedy, relentless, ball-hawking defense, with zone pass coverage. One thing that has really disrupted opposing offenses: linebacker Cato June positioning himself deep in pass coverage to cover receivers.

Shula’s Dolphins scored often with a league-leading rushing attack, as well as an efficient passing game curtailed somewhat by a nearly season-long injury to quarterback Bob Griese. However, the passing attack could go over the top to wily veteran Paul Warfield. The offensive line was a group of heretofore unspectacular players other teams pretty much gave up on.

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