NFL72 Update

Pompano Beach’s Cricket Club at 303 Southwest 6 Street in Miami has a compelling offering for 1972 Dolphins games in the Orange Bowl: “$15 includes bus, ticket, beverage on bus and dinner. First game Dolphins vs. Atlanta Falcons Friday, Aug. 25–8 p.m.”

Nick Buoniconti’s Score, meanwhile, just off the Palmetto Expressway at the Hialeah exit on U.S. 27, counters:

— FREE —

BUSES TO GAME

PARKING AT THE “SCORE” PARKING LOT

BEVERAGES ON BUS Served by Beautiful Hostesses

AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF

A BIG ITALIAN BUFFET AFTER THE GAME —

MEET YOUR FAVORITE DOLPHIN PLAYERS

ALL FOR ONE LOW DOLPHIN PRICE

This ad leaves me confused as to what exactly is "free" and what exactly costs "one low Dolphin price," but, on the plus side, the ad does feature a drawing of Nick Buoniconti in uniform, hoisting his arms triumphantly above his head, as though he is watching a teammate return a turnover for a touchdown or some such happy event.

After Friday’s exhibition with the Falcons, the Dolphins next play the Redskins in Washingoton on the following Thursday. So, per Al Levine in The Miami News, this means Don Shula does not plan to give his team Sunday off from practice as usual—but will instead give them a long weekend off after the game with the Redskins.

One of the most hotly contested spots on the Dolphin depth chart appears to be second-string quarterback, where Jim Del Gaizo and Earl Morrall appear to be the frontrunners. Bob Griese and Craig Curry got the snaps in the Dolphins’ previous exhibition, a win against the Bengals. But Curry, a rookie, played so extensively primarily because both Del Gaizo and Morrall were injured—and he did not play well. Del Gaizo might well be losing ground to Shula’s old hand from Baltimore, Morrall, as his cut hand is likely to keep him out of the Atlanta exhibition Friday.