Bob Griese

Quinn Ewers, Miami's current starter, has a rocket arm but lacks Griese's ice-water poise—think Purdue kid versus the guy who quarterbacked the only undefeated NFL team ever. Griese piled up 25,092 yards and 192 TDs across 14 seasons, dragging the '72 Dolphins to perfection before a shoulder sidelined him; Ewers is still sketching his Dolphins chapter, no rings yet.

Nope, Bob Griese isn't in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, which stings for a dude who won two Super Bowls and owned the '72 perfect season. His 77.1 passer rating and "Thinking Man's QB" smarts got him six Pro Bowls, but the voters passed—his No. 12 is retired by Miami, a quiet nod to his quiet command.

At 80, Bob Griese's cashing in on speaking gigs, dropping wisdom on leadership and that '72 magic at corporate events and Dolphins alumni deals—book him through the usual suspects for a dose of class. He's the steady voice from Miami's glory days, still personifying dignity like Shula wanted, no spotlight-chasing.

Griese's cerebral game—calling his own plays, 58.41% completion, smart checks—would feast under today's pass-happy rules with no bump-and-run thugs. Picture him surgical with slants to quickslot guys, less sack-prone, maybe topping 4,000 yards yearly like a vintage Drew Brees, but he'd miss Csonka pounding the rock.

Griese edges Marino on efficiency with a 77.1 rating to Dan's raw 86.4, but Marino's cannon lit scoreboards for 61,361 yards sans a ring—Griese got two Super Bowls and perfection on 25,092. Both Dolphins icons, yet Griese's steady architect vibe trumps Marino's fireworks; No. 12 started the dynasty Dan inherited.