Number 88 and the Three Dolphins Who Wore It Best

We're now 88 days away from the start of the NFL regular season, so we honor the best players who have worn that number for the Miami Dolphins

Alain Poupart | Jun 12, 2022

Rich Barnes-USA Today Sports

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Miami Dolphins

The countdown to the start of the 2022 regular season has begun now that we're under 100 days away, so we'll honor every day the best players to wear the corresponding number for the Dolphins.

Today, we're at number 88.

As a reminder about the ground rules, the top three will be determined only by what the players did while wearing that uniform for the Dolphins.

Players who wore 88 for at least one regular season game for the Dolphins:

DE LaVerne Torczon (1966), TE Jim Mandich (1970-77), WR Elmer Bailey (1980-81), WR Vince Heflin (1982-85), TE Joel Williams (1987), TE Brian Kinchen (1988-90), TE Arthur Cox (1991), TE Keith Jackson (1992-94), TE Joe Planansky (1995), WR Charles Jordan (1996-98), WR Nate Jacquet (1999), WR Jeff Ogden (2000-01), WR Cris Carter (2002), WR Derrius Thompson (2003-04), WR Cliff Russell (2005-06), TE David Martin (2007-08), TE Jeron Mastrud (2010-12), TE Brandon Williams (2015), WR Leonte Carroo (2016-18), TE Mike Gesicki (2019-21)

The breakdown of 88 with the Dolphins

The Dolphins have had a lot more players at this position than any position so far, but few really stood out. Though he didn't put up big numbers, Jim Mandich missed only three games in eight seasons with the Dolphins and he did have the game-winning touchdown catch in the Dolphins' closest game of their perfect season. What he meant to the franchise as a radio voice after his career is immeasurable, though can't be counted in this debate. Keith Jackson joined the Dolphins early in the 1992 season after being declared a free agent by a judge and made an impact for all three years he was in Miami, earning Pro Bowl honors that first year. The idea of bringing in Cris Carter in 2002 at the end of his career was a good one in theory, but it just didn't pan out. Mike Gesicki switched to 88 in 2019 after wearing 86 as a rookie and has become a top-end NFL tight end the past three seasons.

Worth noting

LaVerne Torczon started 13 games in the Dolphins' inaugural season after spending five seasons with the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. ... Vince Heflin played 41 games as a kick returner for the Dolphins but never scored a touchdown. ... Jeff Ogden did score a big touchdown on a punt return in 2000 to help the Dolphins defeat Green Bay six days after they blew that 30-7 fourth-quarter lead in the "Monday Night Miracle." ... Derrius Thompson didn't produce as hoped, though he did have that memorable game-winning touchdown in 2004 when the 2-11 Dolphins upset the 11-2 Patriots in a Monday night game.

The top three Dolphins players with number 88

1. Keith Jackson

2. Mike Gesicki

3. Jim Mandich

Published Jun 12, 2022

ALAIN POUPART

Alain Poupart is the publisher/editor of All Dolphins and co-host of the All Dolphins Podcast. Alain has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989 for various publications and media outlets, including Dolphin Digest, The Associated Press, the Dolphins team website, and the Fan Nation Network (part of Sports Illustrated). In addition to being a credentialed member of the Miami Dolphins press corps, Alain has covered three Super Bowls (for NFL.com, Football News and the Montreal Gazette), the annual NFL draft, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Scouting Combine. During his almost 40 years in journalism, which began at the now-defunct Miami News, Alain has covered practically every sport at one time or another, from tennis to golf, baseball, basketball and everything in between. The career also included time as a copy editor, including work on several books such as "Still Perfect," an inside look at the Miami Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. A native of Montreal, Canada, whose first language is French, Alain grew up a huge hockey fan but soon developed a love for all sports, including NFL football. He has lived in South Florida since the 1980s.