David Woodley
Miami Dolphins
David
Woodley played college ball at Louisiana State University, where he led
LSU to 34-10 victory over Wake Forest University in the 1979 Tangerine
Bowl. He was drafted in the 8th round as the #214 pick of the 1980 NFL
Draft by the Miami Dolphins.
Woodley replaced the aging Bob Griese as the starter for the Dolphins in
his first season in 1980 and his 176 completions are still a Dolphins
record for a rookie. The following year, Woodley would split time with
backup Don Strock. The Dolphins went 11-4-1 in 1982 with the Woodley-Strock
combination and won the AFC East
In the strike shortened season of 1983,Woodley became the primary
quarterback and Miami won the AFC Title and the right to face the
Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVII. Miami lost to the Redskins
27-17. Eight months later he was replaced by top draft pick, Dan Marino,
who went on to become the most prolific passer in NFL history. Woodley
was traded to the Pittsburg Steelers where he played for two years. He
was released by Pittsburgh following the 1985 season. In Woodley’s six
seasons, his best year was 1981 when he completed 191 of 366 passes for
2470 yards and 12 touchdowns.
