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DOLPHINS & BEARS CLASH MONDAY NIGHT; After a two-week stint in California, ABC’s NFL Monday Night Football heads east to the Sunshine State for a matchup this week between two of the NFL’s most storied franchises – the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears. It’s sure to be a night filled with history and nostalgia, as the Dolphins will retire the No. 39 jersey of Pro Football Hall of Fame running back LARRY CSONKA in a halftime ceremony. The club also will honor the NFL’s only unbeaten, untied team in history in its 30th anniversary year, the 1972 Dolphins who went 17-0 while winning Super Bowl VII. “Our story in 1972 is not about an individual or any small group, it’s about a full team,” says former Dolphins head coach and Hall of Famer DON SHULA. “For one unique season, we met our goal every game. We didn’t set out to go undefeated, we directed our focus toward winning the Super Bowl, and ultimately did both.” Csonka was a big part of that success, rushing for 1,117 yards, and averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He teamed with MERCURY MORRIS (1,000 yards) to become the first teammate duo in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards each in the same season. The current Dolphins will pay tribute to the ’72 champs by wearing a special commemorative patch on their jerseys Monday night. Today’s Dolphins are enjoying a special season from another tough-to-tackle running back, RICKY WILLIAMS. Williams has rushed for 1,284 yards, breaking the club single-season record held by DELVIN WILLIAMS (1,258 in 1978). His seven 100-yard rushing games are also a team record, topped by last week’s 228-yard effort against Buffalo, the most in history for a Dolphins’ rusher. “If we win the Super Bowl, then I can be excited about the records,” says Williams. “But if we don’t make the playoffs, then I won’t be excited about anything. If we run the ball and play defense the way we have throughout the season, we should be tough to beat. The Dolphins, who welcome quarterback JAY FIELDER back to the starting lineup for the first time since a 24-22 win over Denver on October 13, have a history of playing memorable Monday night games against the Bears. On December 2, 1985, in one of the most anticipated Monday Night Football games ever, the 12-0 Bears traveled to Miami. With members of the ’72 Dolphins on the sidelines, Miami stalled the Bears’ bid for their own “Perfect Season” with a 38-24 win. “It was a night,” said then-Dolphins wide receiver NAT MOORE, “when great offense met great defense, and this time, great offense won.” The two teams also staged a noteworthy contest in 1997, when present Dolphins head coach DAVE WANNSTEDT directed the Bears to a 36-33 overtime win over Miami as Chicago stormed back from a 33-18 fourth-quarter deficit to seize the win. The Bears’ offense Monday night will be led by one of the most explosive receivers in the NFL -- MARTY BOOKER. In his fourth season, Booker posted the first 100-catch campaign in franchise history a year ago and could accomplish the feat again in 2002. With 74 receptions, he ranks sixth in the NFL. Booker has also shown a knack for making the big play. The former Northeast Louisiana star leads all NFL receivers with 19 catches of at least 20 yards and is averaging 14.0 yards per reception. With 1,036 yards, Booker needs 36 to top his career high of 1,071 yards in 2001. Fans have taken note of Booker’s success. He ranks fourth among NFC receivers in fan voting for the 2003 Pro Bowl with 291,779 votes. The AFC and NFC All-Stars will be announced on December 19. “Marty is a great football player and I can’t say enough about what he means to this team,” says Bears quarterback JIM MILLER. “He does everything you ask of him and he’s a true game-breaking player.” |