The Herald puts this one in the “Not as Bad as it Looked” Category. What?!? Not as bad as it looks?! It’s worse! Anthony Carter was one of the best receivers in the NFL from 1987-1990. The guy Miami got for Carter, Robert Sendlien? He wasn’t one of the best anything, just a worthless linebacker. He’d already been one for 4 years with the Vikes. Now the Herald notes that Miami already had Duper and Clayton when they dealt away Carter so losing him was no big deal. Huh? Are you telling me Dan Marino, the most prolific passer in NFL history, wouldn’t have had any use for Anthony Carter? Here’s what Carter did with the Vikings from 1987-1990:
| years | catches | yards | TD |
| 1987 | 38 | 922 | 7 |
| 1988 | 72 | 1225 | 6 |
| 1989 | 65 | 1066 | 4 |
| 1990 | 70 | 1008 | 8 |
Remember, Carter did that with Wade Wilson throwing him most of those passes. (1987 was a strike season. Only 12 games for the non-scabs). Now here’s what Marino did in those same years with all Dolphin receivers not named Duper or Clayton:
| years | catches | yards | TD |
| 1987 | 54 | 640 | 5 |
| 1988 | 89 | 1250 | 4 |
| 1989 | 122 | 1661 | 7 |
| 1990 | 108 | 1234 | 7 |
That’s a lot of balls and they mostly went to guys like Jim Jensen, James Pruitt, and Fred Banks. Hell, Miami picked up players off the street like Andre Brown and threw them into the mix. Anthony Carter would have been one big improvement. Clearly there was plenty to go around with Dan Marino. And Miami definitely needed another weapon back then. The running game stunk (what else was new?). The defense likewise. Miami only won by outscoring people. Carter would have helped them do that. Plus, as a third receiver, the Dolphins might have been able to use him as a return man. At least it would have been awesome entertainment. Duper, Clayton and Carter!
I don’t see how the Jake Scott trade is worse than this. When he got dealt Scott was past his prime while Carter was just heading into his. And the Theisman trade can’t be worse either. If it “couldn’t have hurt” to have Theisman around for 6 years just holding a clipboard, then what about Carter? At least he would have played regardless of whether or not he was as good as the Mark Brothers. Now the Herald notes one mitigating factor in the Carter deal: Miami also got a 2nd round pick, and they used that as part of the trade with Tampa Bay for Hugh Green. True enough, but Green ripped up his knee shortly after the trade and he was never the great player Miami thought they were getting. And Miami also gave up a 1st rounder for Green; that 2nd rounder for Carter wouldn’t have been any kind of dealbreaker. Miami would have found a way to get that trade done.
The Worst Trade in Miami Dolphins' History:
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Part VI
Addendum: The Marlin Briscoe Trade
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