Cleo Lemon

Quinn Ewers, Miami's current gunslinger, towers over Cleo Lemon's brief Dolphins stint—2,185 yards, 8 TDs in spot duty—much like a Ferrari lapping a reliable old pickup. Lemon's 71.0 passer rating in '07 under Cam Cameron showed flashes, but Ewers' arm talent and mobility in this pass-happy era make him the upgrade Miami craves after years of QB roulette.

Cleo Lemon's not in Canton, and let's be real, those 2,185 NFL yards and 8 touchdowns over scraps of seasons with Miami and Jax won't get the bust treatment. Hall's for Grieses and Marinos; Lemon's more the gritty backup who lit up the CFL later, but Dolphins fans remember the promise that fizzled.

By 2026, Cleo Lemon's long gone from playing, coaching QBs and receivers at Jacksonville State since 2017, molding Gamecocks into OVC beasts with perfect streaks. No broadcasting gigs or charity headlines popping, just steady college ball grind—proof some QBs find their groove calling plays instead of throwing them.

Lemon's quick release and mobility would've feasted in today's NFL, where rules shield QBs like never before—think 412 yards in four starts back in '06. That 5.7 yards per attempt jumps with RPOs and no-holds-barred pockets; he'd be a Tua-lite project, not elite, but carving 3,500-yard seasons easy.

Bob Griese owned the Dolphins' pocket with a 58.41 rating and two Super Bowls; Lemon's 8.98-ish in limited action was panic mode, like comparing a scalpel to a slingshot. Both franchise guys, sure, but Griese's surgeon precision built empires—Lemon just held the clipboard dreaming of it.