The 2006 season was the Miami Dolphins' 37th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 41st overall, their second under general manager Randy Mueller and second and final under head coach Nick Saban.
The Dolphins had high expectations after winning their last six games of the 2005 season, and were picked by Sports Illustrated to reach Super Bowl XLI. Instead, the Dolphins failed to improve on their 9–7 record in 2005, and they finished the 2006 season 6–10, which was just their second losing season since 1988. After the season, Dolphins coach Nick Saban abandoned his contract to coach college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, despite saying repeatedly that he would stay in Miami.
This season was also notorious for the Dolphins almost signing former San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees, as they were one of the two teams (the other being the New Orleans Saints) interested in acquiring the released quarterback. However the Dolphins later declined the idea after doctors informed them that Brees’ shoulder injury was too severe, and they ended up signing Daunte Culpepper instead.
Offseason On March 14, 2006, the Dolphins traded a second-round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings to acquire quarterback Daunte Culpepper. Miami also acquired tackle L. J. Shelton from Cleveland and cornerback Will Allen from the New York Giants, replacing longtime Dolphin Sam Madison, who had taken Allen's old spot with the Giants. The Dolphins had also nearly signed former-Saints quarterback Drew Brees, following his release by the San Diego Chargers and prior to the signing of Culpepper.
In the 2006 NFL draft, the Dolphins used their first pick on Tennessee safety Jason Allen. They then used their next pick on Arizona State wide receiver Derek Hagan. The rest of their picks included Washington offensive tackle Joe Toledo, Texas State/San Marcos defensive tackles Fred Evans and Rodrique Wright, and Auburn wide receiver Devin Aromashodu.
On May 12, 2006, the Dolphins completed a trade with the Detroit Lions for quarterback Joey Harrington, and the Lions received a fifth-round pick after Harrington met performance stipulations in Miami. They also signed Marcus Vick (ex-Virginia Tech quarterback and younger brother of Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick) to a contract after he attended their annual rookie mini-camp.
On August 12, Miami lost, 23–19, to the Jacksonville Jaguars in their first preseason game of the year. The Dolphins' pulled out starting QB Daunte Culpepper after throwing only two passes. (1–2, 2 yds) All of the opposing Jaguars' touchdowns came on plays longer than 25 yards.
On August 14, the Dolphins signed free agent defensive tackle Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson, a former 1st overall draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals (1994), and who had last played for the Detroit Lions.
On August 14, perennial All-Pro linebacker Junior Seau (who had been with the Dolphins for three seasons until he was released in March 2006) announced his retirement after 16 years in the NFL. However, he eventually joined the Dolphins' division rival, the New England Patriots.
Draft
2006 Miami Dolphins Draft Round Selection Player Position College 1 16 Jason Allen DB Tennessee 3 82 Derek Hagan WR Arizona State 4 114 Joe Toledo OT Washington 7 212 Fred Evans DT Texas State 226 Rodrique Wright DT Texas 233 Devin Aromashodu WR Auburn
Staff
Roster
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 7 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 17–28 0–1 Heinz Field 64,927 2 September 17 Buffalo Bills L 6–16 0–2 Dolphin Stadium 72,797 3 September 24 Tennessee Titans W 13–10 1–2 Dolphin Stadium 72,733 4 October 1 at Houston Texans L 15–17 1–3 Reliant Stadium 70,071 5 October 8 at New England Patriots L 10–20 1–4 Gillette Stadium 68,756 6 October 15 at New York Jets L 17–20 1–5 Giants Stadium 77,439 7 October 22 Green Bay Packers L 24–34 1–6 Dolphin Stadium 73,548 8 Bye 9 November 5 at Chicago Bears W 31–13 2–6 Soldier Field 62,206 10 November 12 Kansas City Chiefs W 13–10 3–6 Dolphin Stadium 73,132 11 November 19 Minnesota Vikings W 24–20 4–6 Dolphin Stadium 73,070 12 November 23 at Detroit Lions W 27–10 5–6 Ford Field 61,562 13 December 3 Jacksonville Jaguars L 10–24 5–7 Dolphin Stadium 73,160 14 December 10 New England Patriots W 21–0 6–7 Dolphin Stadium 74,033 15 December 17 at Buffalo Bills L 0–21 6–8 Ralph Wilson Stadium 71,011 16 December 25 New York Jets L 10–13 6–9 Dolphin Stadium 73,500 17 December 31 at Indianapolis Colts L 22–27 6–10 RCA Dome 57,310
Standings
Regular season
Week 1: at Pittsburgh Steelers
at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Dolphins opened the regular season in the annual Thursday NFL Kickoff Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 7. Even though newly acquired QB Daunte Culpepper was doing a pretty good job on the pass and RB Ronnie Brown provided a touchdown, the Dolphins trailed 14–10 going into the second half, until Brown got another rushing touchdown. An 87-yard touchdown pass to Steeler tight end Heath Miller and a 42-yard interception return by ROLB Joey Porter sealed the Dolphins' fate. Head coach Nick Saban attempted to challenge Miller's touchdown reception on the grounds that he stepped out of bounds before reaching the goal line (which television replays proved was correct), however, officials failed to see Saban throw the red flag before the Steelers kicked the extra point, and the Dolphins were unable to challenge the call.
Of more concern than simply the loss was the performance of the Dolphins' prized offseason acquisition. Daunte Culpepper threw two interceptions, and floated several passes that were almost intercepted. This performance has sparked debate as to whether he will be able to return to his 2004 form or if he will have a repeat of his terrible 2005 campaign.
One positive from the game was slot WR Wes Welker. He had 67 yards receiving and set up the first TD for Miami.
With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–1.
Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills
at Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
The Dolphins were hoping to rebound by playing an AFC East bout with the visiting Buffalo Bills in their Week 2 home-opener. From the start, the Dolphins were unable to get anything going, as the Bills' Rian Lindell kicked a 33-yard field goal in the first quarter, while Buffalo's defense prevented Miami from getting any points throughout the first half. In the third quarter, things only got worse, as opposing QB J. P. Losman threw a 4-yard TD pass to opposing WR Josh Reed, while Lindell booted two field goals (45 & 43-yarders). The Dolphins finally managed to get some points as WR Chris Chambers caught a 23-yard TD pass, but Miami failed on the two-point conversion. What made this loss even more frustrating was that Dolphins QB Daunte Culpepper got sacked seven times and fumbled twice, making Miami wonder if acquiring Culpepper was the right idea in the first place. With the loss, the Dolphins were 0–2.
Week 3: vs. Tennessee Titans
at Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
The Dolphins, still looking for their first win of the year, stayed at home for a Week 3 match-up with the Tennessee Titans. Miami drew first blood in the first quarter with kicker Olindo Mare kicking a 40-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Dolphins got a bit of a scare as Titans QB Kerry Collins completed a 27-yard pass to TE Bo Scaife for a touchdown and the lead. In the third quarter, Miami reclaimed the lead with QB Daunte Culpepper getting a touchdown on a 5-yard scramble. However, the Titans didn't go down quietly, as kicker Rob Bironas kicked a 22-yard field goal for Tennessee, putting the game in a 10–10 tie. In the fourth quarter, Mare finally helped Miami get win their first win of the season with a 39-yard field goal.
Week 4: at Houston Texans
at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
The Dolphins hoped to carry the momentum from their Week 3 victory, as they traveled to Reliant Stadium to take on the Houston Texans. After a scoreless first quarter, Miami got on the board first with kicker Olindo Mare getting a 52-yard field goal, but the Texans got a field goal for themselves, as kicker Kris Brown got one from 32 yards out. In the third quarter, the Dolphins got another field goal, as Mare got one from 29 yards out for the only score of the period. However, in the fourth quarter, things got very ugly as the Texans got two touchdowns, with QB David Carr on a 1-yard run and WR Andre Johnson getting a 3-yard touchdown reception. Miami valiantly tried to fight back, as Mare got a 22-yard field goal and QB Daunte Culpepper completed a 16-yard TD pass to WR Chris Chambers, but in the end, a failed two-point conversion spelled doom for the Dolphins, as Miami failed to come back and fell to 1–3.
Week 5: at New England Patriots
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
With Daunte Culpepper being ineffective, QB Joey Harrington got the start for Week 5 as the Dolphins flew to Gillette Stadium for an AFC East match-up with the New England Patriots. Miami got off to a rough start, as they fell behind 3–0 with Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski kicking a 35-yard field goal for the only score of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Miami continued to trail, as Gostkowski kicked a 31-yard field goal, while Pats QB Tom Brady completed a 10-yard TD pass to WR Troy Brown. The Dolphins got back in the game before halftime, as RB Ronnie Brown got a 2-yard TD run and kicker Olindo Mare got a 40-yard field goal to help the Dolphins trail by three at halftime. In the third quarter, the defense ruled as both teams failed to get a single point. In the fourth quarter, New England scored another touchdown, as Brady completed a 1-yard strike to FB Heath Evans. From there, Miami failed to catch up, and their record fell to 1–4.
Week 6: at New York Jets
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Still searching for win #2, the Dolphins kept QB Joey Harrington in the starting line-up as they flew to The Meadowlands for an AFC East fight with the New York Jets. From the get-go, the Dolphins struggled as Jets kicker Mike Nugent kicked a 33-yard field goal for the only score of the first quarter and of the half. In the third quarter, Nugent increased New York's lead again with another 33-yard field goal. The Dolphins finally got on the board, as kicker Olindo Mare got a 21-yard field goal. However, the Jets didn't let Miami regain itself, as QB Chad Pennington completed a 58-yard TD pass to WR Laveranues Coles. In the fourth quarter, they hooked up with each other again on a 22-yard TD pass. The Dolphins attempted a fourth-quarter comeback, with Harrington completing a 2-yard TD pass to WR Chris Chambers and RB Ronnie Brown ran 1 yard for a TD, but when Mare missed a field goal attempt in the final minute, and the Dolphins sank to 1–5.
Week 7: vs. Green Bay Packers
at Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
QB Joey Harrington had 414 yards off a record 62 attempts (33 of them were complete), but he also threw 3 INT's (one returned for a TD). Packers RB Ahman Green rushed for about 100 yards, including a 70 yd TD. Packers QB Brett Favre had 206 yards throwing and two 2 TD's and is closing on Dan Marino's all-time completions and touchdown records. Meanwhile, Favre's favorite WR Donald Driver had 10 receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown. With the Dolphins, RB Ronnie Brown was limited to just 59 yards rushing on 15 carries and 63 yards receiving on 5 receptions. The leading receiver for Miami was WR Marty Booker, who had 7 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown. With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 1–6.
Week 9: at Chicago Bears
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois