49ers vs. Dolphins: A prospector's guide

The 49ers welcome the Miami Dolphins to town for their first meeting since 2008. The Dolphins are currently 5-7 and sitting two games back of a host of the last wild card spot. Although they're close, they have a host of teams to leapfrog, and they're dealing with their own inconsistency. They beat the Seahawks two weeks ago, but have lost four of five after a three game winning streak. They are dealing with the loss of Jake Long and just trying to get on track.

We've got the usual assortment of connections and stats. The 49ers include some random stats in their weekly game release. My favorite stats this week were these: Michael Crabtree is fourth in the NFL with 24 receptions on third down, and tied for first with four touchdown receptions on third down. He has been a third down machine this year.

Coaching Connections

• 49ers secondary coach Ed Donatell was the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers while Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin was the Packers offensive line coach in 2003. Dolphins offensive co- ordinator Mike Sherman was also with the Packers, serving as head coach while Donatell was on his staff from 2000-03.

  49ers-Miami Connections

• RB Frank Gore attended the University of Miami from 2000-04 and is from Coral Gables, FL.

• LBTavares Gooden is from Ft. Lauderdale, FL and attended the University of Miami from 2003-07.

• DT Ricky Jean Francois is from Miami Gardens, FL.

• WR Ted Ginn, Jr. was selected by the Dolphins with the 9th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft and played three seasons with the team (2007-09).

  Miami-Nor-Cal Connections

• Assistant special teams coach Dave Fipp spent three seasons in the same capacity for the 49ers (2008-10) and coached at San Jose State from 2005-07.

• RB Reggie Bush and 49ers QB Alex Smith were teammates at Helix HS in San Diego, CA.

• T Jonathan Martin played for 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh at Stanford from 2008-10.

• WR Davone Bess is from Oakland, CA and attended Skyline HS.

• WR Marlon Moore is from Sacramento, CA and attended Natomas HS.

• LB Josh Kaddu is from Vacaville, CA and attended Vacaville HS.

• Dolphins LB Koa Misi is from Santa Rosa, CA and attended Montgomery HS.

Miami-Nor Cal connections

Wolf Pack: 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick was teammates with Dolphins S Jonathon Amaya at the University of Nevada from 2006-09

Utes United: 49ers QB Alex Smith and Dolphins DT Paul Soliai were teammates at Utah in 2004

Terp Time: 49ers TE Vernon Davis was a Maryland Terrapin with Dolphins T Randy Starks from 2003-04

Mississippi Magic: 49ers LB Patrick Willis and Dolphins G John Jerry were teammates at Ole Miss in 2006

War Eagle: 49ers CB Carlos Rogers was teammates with Dolphins LB Karlos Dansby at Auburn from 2001-03

Nittany Lions: NaVorro Bowman and Dolphins DE Jared Odrick played on the same defense at Penn State from 2006-09

Michigan Men: 49ers WR Mario Manningham played at Michigan with Dolphins T Jake Long from 2005-07

Buckeye Brothers: 49ers G/T Alex Boone (2005-08), S Donte Whitner (2003-05) and WR Ted Ginn Jr. (2004-06) played with Dolphins WR Brian Hartline (2005-08) at Ohio State

Ducks of a Feather: 49ers RB LaMichael James and Dolphins LB Josh Kaddu played their entire career (2008-11) together at Oregon

Series Highlights
Matchups: 11
Series record: Dolphins lead series 6-5
49ers home record vs. Dolphins: Dolphins lead series 3-2
First Meeting: 9/16/73, Dolphins win 21-13 at Mia.
Last Meeting: 12/14/08, Dolphins win 14-9 at Mia.
Current Streak: Lost 2
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 5 (1/20/85 - 12/16/01)
Longest giants Win Streak: 4 (9/16/73 - 11/6/83)
Most 49ers points: 44 (11/20/95): 44-20, at Mia.
Most Dolphins points: 24 (11/28/04): 24-17 at SF
49ers Shutouts: 1 (12/16/01), 49ers win 21-0 at SF
Dolphins Shutouts: None

2012 Statistics