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96. Dick Anderson

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96. Dick Anderson

In the early 1970s, the Miami Dolphins were one of the best teams ever, and they were loaded with talent, but one of their stars, Dick Anderson, seems to have been forgotten.  Let's try to rectify that.

Anderson was drafted in 1968 where as a rookie as he was the leader in Interception Return Yards, a feat he would repeat in 1970.  The Safety couldn't sneak up on anyone anymore, but he raised his game further and went to the Pro Bowl three years in a row (1972 to 1974).  The first of those seasons was Miami's famed undefeated Super Bowl season, and the following season the Fins repeated the Super Bowl win, with Anderson leading the NFL in Interceptions and was the winner of the AP Defensive Player of the Year.  He would spend his entire career with Miami and had 34 picks.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Midland, Michigan, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Saturday, 01 January 1983
  • Position: Safety
  • Games Played: 121
  • Notable Statistics: 34 Interceptions
    792 Interception Return Yards
    3 Interception Return Touchdowns
    16 Fumble Recoveries
    100 Fumble Recovery Yards
    1 Fumble Recovery Touchdown
    2.0 Quarterback Sacks*
    46 Punt Returns
    324 Punt Return Yards
    7 Kick Returns
    114 Kick Return Yards
    9 Punts
    335 Punt Return Yards
    83 Approximate Value

    11 Playoff Games
    5 Interceptions
    107 Interception Return Yards
    1 Interception Return Touchdown
    1 Fumble Recovery
    2 Fumble Recovery Yards
    3 Punt Returns
    -2 Punt Return Yards
    1 Kick Return
    14 Kick Return Yards

    *Sacks were unofficially calculated by Pro Football Reference from 1960 to 1981.
  • Played For: Miami Dolphins
  • College: Colorado
  • Drafted: 3rd Round, 73rd Overall in 1968
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Super Bowl Champion (2) (Miami Dolphins Super Bowl VII & VIII)
    AP Defensive Player of the Year (1) (1973)
    First Team All-Pro (2) (1972 & 1973)
    Second Team All-Pro (1) (1974)
    Pro Bowl (3) (1972, 1973 & 1974)
    AFL AP Defensive Rookie of the Year (1968)
    Highest Approximate Value (1) (1972)
    Most Interceptions (1) (1973)
    Most Interception Return Yards (2) (1968 & 1970)
    Most Fumble Recoveries (1) (1972)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten Finishes: Approximate Value (1972 & 1973)
    Top Ten Finishes: Punt Returns (1969)
    Top Ten Finishes: Fumble Recoveries (1969, 1971 & 1972)
    Top Ten Finishes: Fumble Recovery Yards (1968 & 1972)
    Top Ten Finishes: Interceptions (1968, 1970 & 1973)
    Top Ten Finishes: Interception Return Yards (1968, 1969, 1970 & 1973)

  • Notable All Time Rankings: 32. Interception Return Yards: 792

Should Dick Anderson be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 92.6%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 3.7%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 3.7%
Last modified on Thursday, 23 March 2023 21:58

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