Shula: Colts have better chance than Saints to go unbeaten
It was 37 years ago when Don Shula coached the Miami Dolphins to an unbeaten season -- a feat no team has equaled.
On the night the New England Patriots lost their first game in their last game of the 2007 season, Don Shula was watching from a stadium luxury suite in Arizona. His reaction? Exactly what you would expect.
“My wife and I toasted each other with champagne,” he said Wednesday, breaking into a smile over lunch. “I saw Eli [Manning] make that unbelievable throw [for a game-winning touchdown in the final minute]. That was a beautiful thing.”
Shula, the former Hall of Fame coach of the Miami Dolphins, has a great appreciation for football. Also records. Mostly his team’s record.
The New Orleans Saints come to town this week to play the Falcons. Shula just became a Falcons fan.
The Saints are 12-0. So are the Indianapolis Colts. Either would need to win seven more games (four regular season, three playoffs, including the Super Bowl) to equal what only one other team, Shula’s 1972 Dolphins, accomplished: going undefeated.
Shula and one of his sons, Dave, were in town Wednesday doing the media tour to promote the opening of another restaurant, Shula’s 347 Grill, in Buckhead. But invariably, the conversation turned from steaks to football.
“Everybody wants to know if I think one of the teams can do it,” Shula said.
He won’t make a prediction. He will tell you he likes the Colts’ chances better than the Saints’.
He also won’t hide the fact that his first choice is for both teams to fall on their face. But sometimes it takes the follow-up question.
Don Shula still wears his 1972 Super Bowl ring every day.
“People think I’m just rooting hard against it,” Shula said. “What I say is: If somebody does it, I’ll call that coach and congratulate him and I’ll think that he’s done a great job. The interesting thing this year is you’ve got two great teams with great quarterbacks and they could both go undefeated until meeting each other in the Super Bowl.”
Question: But if that happens, one will end up undefeated. Thoughts?
Answer: “Do you think Joe DiMaggio ever wanted his 56-game hitting streak broken? Do you think he was there, rooting for somebody? Think he ever said, ‘Yeah! I hope somebody goes 57 straight games with a hit!”? I think anybody who has a record of any type enjoys having the record.”
Dave Shula laughed and turned to his father, saying: “The interesting thing this year is the [Super Bowl] is in Miami. You could go down for the trophy presentation.”
The Dolphins went 17-0 (it was a 14-game regular season). Shula wears his Super Bowl ring every day. It’s encircled by 16 diamonds, with a larger 17th diamond in the middle.
“People like to look at it,” he said.
When he looked at the ring, it became clear so does he.
“Nobody had done it before,” he said of going undefeated. “Nobody has done it since.”
Chances are, he’ll have another bottle of champagne ready if both teams lose. Two years ago, the Patriots were 18-0 and favored to win the Super Bowl when they lost to the New York Giants. But the Colts make him a little nervous. He believes they have a better chance than the Saints.
“I just think Peyton Manning is head and shoulders above everyone as a leader, and I think they’ll be tough to beat. New Orleans and [Drew] Brees — I like them a lot. But I just think Peyton is an amazing leader and he’s on another level. I would never bet against Peyton Manning in anything that he did.”
And if Indianapolis or New Orleans pull this off, Shula will do the right thing and issue the obligatory congratulations. But the champagne will remain corked.
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66 comments Add your comment
Roll Tider
December 9th, 2009
5:38 pm
It’s ridiculous to keep holding celebrations over this after 37 years. I so hope somebody goes 19-0 before these old farts die so they have to witness it.
Bobwhite
December 9th, 2009
5:38 pm
First?
Sal
December 9th, 2009
5:45 pm
It was 37 years ago that the Dolphins went undefeated, not 32 as you write in the caption.
Sal
December 9th, 2009
5:48 pm
And I do hope one of these teams goes undefeated this year so as to silence the whiny and aged ‘72 Dolphins. Sipping bad booze at the misfortunes of others – just old dudes wasting time.
Lunch with the Coaches Shula | Food and More with John Kessler
December 9th, 2009
5:53 pm
[...] my colleague Jeff Schultz came along and he’s got the answers to all the questions you would want to ask coach Shula about the current football [...]
Dr. Phil
December 9th, 2009
6:03 pm
“Former Hall of Fame coach?” Was he fired from the HOF? Perhaps, Hall of Fame former coach of the fish or former coach and HOF member.
JP
December 9th, 2009
6:07 pm
I am rooting for one of the teams to pull it off so we can STOP HEARING ABOUT WHAT DON SHULA THINKS.
That said, as a Saints fan, I’d prefer it be us.
Dr. Phil
December 9th, 2009
6:08 pm
And, who cares about the Dolphins. Give us more on Kiffin’s Comfort Girls, even if you have to make it up.
MV7
December 9th, 2009
6:19 pm
If the Colts had Michael Vick they would easily go undefeated and win the Super Bowl! Of course Colts won’t sign him since Peyton Manning would be threatened he’d get benched.
standing up every 2nd and 3rd down on defense in sec 340
December 9th, 2009
6:29 pm
There is nothing wrong with old dudes drinking. Thats what I want to do as an old man. I hope the they get a good chug come sunday.
dennis
December 9th, 2009
6:38 pm
you crazy maning get benched over michael vick you stupid
Jamaaliver
December 9th, 2009
6:39 pm
Roll Tider,
After almost 4 decades of remaining the only unbeaten team, i think it’s MORE worthy of celebration for those old Dolphins. It’s the greatest team accomplishment in the history of the NFL. And one worthy of admiration and…..RESPECT.
dennis
December 9th, 2009
6:40 pm
it would be great if the 2010 phins when 19-0 but is not going to happen
MV7
December 9th, 2009
6:43 pm
Actually, if the Saints were smart they would trade Reggie Bush and Drew Brees to the Eagles next season so they can get Michael Vick after the Saints fail to go undefeated this season.
dennis
December 9th, 2009
6:43 pm
wake wake wake sparano has to strat camaron wake next week
dennis
December 9th, 2009
6:45 pm
why would any team trade for vick MV7 are you vick
falcon71
December 9th, 2009
6:46 pm
i hope their record stands as there were fewer teams and the talent was more consentrated on fewer teams. there are guys seeing the feild now that would’nt be on the scout team then. the falcons have a couple
dennis
December 9th, 2009
6:47 pm
turner turner patrick turner please sparano play turner just let hem plaay
Russ4Heisman.net
December 9th, 2009
6:47 pm
Thankfully, Atlanta diners haven’t been kind to celebrity restaurants. This ain’t Jacksonville, coach.
MV7
December 9th, 2009
6:47 pm
After last Sunday Eagles will get at least a first round draft pick for Michael Vick. Falcons were willing to give up a second round pick for much older Tony Gonzalez. Raiders paid a second round and fifth round pick for MeAngelo Hall…
dennis
December 9th, 2009
6:48 pm
do you all think dewade can play football
dennis
December 9th, 2009
6:50 pm
ya and am dan the men
Volman
December 9th, 2009
6:56 pm
You fail shultz. Your blogs have gone down the sewer. Thought I respected your work.
bob horner stayed hurt
December 9th, 2009
6:58 pm
Volman….what’s his severance package……????
bob horner stayed hurt
December 9th, 2009
7:02 pm
I like it when the 1972 Dolphins do a toast…that said the record is tainted because they played a 14 game schedule….
Don Shula is ... Overrated
December 9th, 2009
7:07 pm
NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!!
Hank
December 9th, 2009
7:08 pm
Is that Don Shula in that picture or Don Corleone. He’s a bad looking dude in that dark coat. The Buccaneers should hire him. I bet he still has game.
hiramsaint
December 9th, 2009
7:30 pm
SAINTS GEAUX-19 & EAUX WIN SUPERBEAUXL FEAUXTY- FEAUX…. headlines in the ajc on feb. 8th……………………..whodat baby!!!!!!!!!
Kiffin's calamity
December 9th, 2009
7:43 pm
Thanks Do, nobody cares. Saints won’t lose this week, Ryan or no Ryan.
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2009
7:55 pm
HiramSaint — I’m not a headline writer, but pretty sure “geaux” won’t be in it. Just sayin’.
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2009
7:57 pm
Hank — The Don is 80, and I think he’s pretty happy golfing a few days a week.
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2009
7:58 pm
Volman — Hostesses with the Mostesses got you in a bad mood?
LSU TIGER
December 9th, 2009
8:57 pm
Shultz is a moron and Saints fans have one objective: Superbowl win. Shula must have started drinking that rot gut sooner because Manning is not the leader that Drew Brees is. We don’t care if we go undefeated in the regular season, we want to go undefeated in the post season.
MR2
December 9th, 2009
9:13 pm
It’s Matty yknow – where is my career?
Ted Striker
December 9th, 2009
9:15 pm
Shula was a great coach. I like him. But I’ve viewed him in the same light after reading an interview Jake Scott did with the Sun Sentinel.
Ted Striker
December 9th, 2009
9:16 pm
– correction — never viewed him….
whodat70816
December 9th, 2009
9:19 pm
I think the old man is senile…gotta forgive him because he is 80yo. The Saints are unstopable, they do not panic, they find ways to win even when they are losing and Drew can drive the offense down the field in 30 seconds for a touchdown….NO TEAM CAN STOP DESTINY! Not even the man that carriers the entire Colts team.
Schultz…perhaps your headline will not have “geaux” in it, but if the Saints were to win the superbowl, I’d bet most major newpapers around the country will have “GEAUX” and “WHO DAT” on their front pages….just sayin’
MV7
December 9th, 2009
9:20 pm
It’s Mike, y’know? Gonna set the all time sack record with the Browns next season, y’know?
JSS
December 9th, 2009
9:43 pm
Shula has to wrap himself in 1972. The great failures of 69, 71, 83, and 85 hang around his neck like an anchor… But it could be worse, he could be Dan Reeves or Bud Grant!
MV7…
Remember the famous line from de Laclos? “Revenge is a dish best served cold!” It was placed on the platter frozen solid last Sunday,,, Choke, MV7, and others, let them (the Naysayers and supporters of their damaged goods) stew in it for awhile… Let them show their true nature… They can not help their nature… They will be here in everyday calling you out… Don’t fall for it, each Sunday for the remaining 4 games will be ripe with the irony only known to them… Falcon failure!!!
Homer Simpson
December 9th, 2009
9:45 pm
JSS…
Oh cruel fate, why do you mock me?
JSS
December 9th, 2009
10:03 pm
Homer…
Says Justin Peele to the Falcons trainer and team doctor when the light was shined in his eyes…
Harry Paratesties
December 9th, 2009
10:30 pm
The Aints will take it in the butt this weekend, mark my words!!
Sal
December 9th, 2009
11:07 pm
I think the whole thing is weird. I don’t want to hear from people who played 35 years ago until it’s real close or broken. It’s bad sportsmanship to expect your record to last forever especially when you have no control what happens; you’re just watching and rooting against something. At least some of you have a team to cheer for. When someone out kicks Jason Elam’s 63 yarder (and Tom Dempsey’s 62.5 yarder), those guys will congratulate him. When Drew Brees throws for 6000 yards to eclipse Dan Marino-oh wait, he’s a Dolphin.
Sal
December 9th, 2009
11:09 pm
By the way, I fear that Falcons fans will be outnumbered by Saints fans this Sunday, well if you discount the fake fans who cheered for Vick last week.
chuck
December 9th, 2009
11:12 pm
I’m really tired of hearing it from the aged, insufferable Dolphins. What Indy has accomplished this decade, along with the Pats (as much as I hate saying that) is far more impressive that their short-season triumph. The Steelers teams of the 70’s with Bradshaw, Stallworth and that insane defense, the 49′ers with Montana and Rice, the Cowgirls with Troy, Emmit, the coke-head, and Novacheck… These are all teams far more impressive that that loud-mouth bunch from South Florida–undefeated or not.
And stop hating on New Orleans. Just because the birds are having a hell year doesn’tmean you have to attack a team who is just finding a way. Those fans have suffered through some long, lean years and they deserve this.
To HELL with the 72 Dolphins!
Reid Adair
December 9th, 2009
11:20 pm
I hope this record stands for a long, long time …. as opposed to folks like “Roll Tider” and “chuck.”
But, if a team is going to break that record this year, I agree with Don Shula – it will be the Colts.
gt97
December 9th, 2009
11:35 pm
Rednecks – Possum Bowl, Rednecks – Possum Bowl, Rednecks – Possum Bowl, Rednecks – Possum Bowl, Rednecks – Possum Bowl. Oh this is dumb…30-24…How bout 45-42…Better Yet, why don’t you spray paint a big ole ugly bulldog on the side of you trailer to make it look like the rest of the trailer’s in the trailer park. Don’t die from lung cancer after you return from visiting the casinos in Shreveport. To comment on the blog – who gives a Shi+ about Don Shula and his sorry overpriced restaurants and the New Orleans Saints. Arizona will handle Brees and company in the playoffs. I wish I could say the Falcons would, but Steve Martin, the coach, is still in the middle of his dam process. We have been waiting for this process to spit something out worth a crap for 40 years.
LSU TIGER
December 10th, 2009
1:22 am
The Saints will stomp a mudhole in the Cardinals if they meet in the playoffs. I would give the Falcons a better chance than the Cardinals to beat the Saints. What cartoon are you living in?
Robards
December 10th, 2009
1:26 am
Uh Schultz, When the Colts clinch home field, they tend to treat the rest of the season as preseason games. The Colts are usually winless or 1-4 in the preseason. Look it up. And Caldwell has said he’ll do the same thing. The Colts may clinch this week. The Saints may at least try to win. In other words, you’re wrong.
Robards
December 10th, 2009
1:36 am
Or, I guess I should say Shula is wrong. Has Don watched the last few years? The Colts won’t compete in a couple of weeks. Manning? He won’t play more than a series or maybe 2. Even Sorgi is hurt!