SB Nation Miami Dolphins Top 100
Trace Armstrong joined the Miami Dolphins in 1995 as a pass rushing specialist. He enjoyed his only Pro Bowl season with the Fish in 2000, collecting 16.5 sacks at the age of 35.
Feb 15, 2012 - Raymond Lester Armstrong, or Trace, started his college career playing for Arizona State. After losing his eligibility due to some archaic rule, he transferred to Florida for his senior season, picking up first team All-American accolades at defensive tackle.
He was drafted out of Florida with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. In six seasons as the Bears starting left defensive tackle, Armstrong played 88 games, collecting 42 sacks, 382 tackles, seven forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.
Armstrong joined the Miami Dolphins on April 4,1995 when the Bears traded him for a second and a third round draft pick. He was acquired as a pass rushing specialist. In 15 games that first season, he notched 4.5 sacks and 21 tackles, and had minimal impact on the team.
In 1996, injuries pushed Armstrong into the starting role for Miami. He responded with 12 sacks, his highest total to date in starting nine of the 16 games in which he appeared that season.
Armstrong was a workhorse in 1997, starting all 16 games and collecting 5.5 sacks. In 1998, by contrast, he almost doubled his sack total, to 10.5 coming off the bench for the Dolphins in all 16 games.
Armstrong again appeared in every game in 1999, starting two and tabulating 7.5 sacks.
2000 would see Armstrong, at the age of 35, enjoy the best season of his career, collecting a career high 16.5 sacks, including a 3.5 sack performance against the Buffalo Bills on October 8th in a Dolphins 22-13 win. The season would be the only one in which Armstrong was invited to the postseason Pro Bowl.
Armstrong would go on to join the Oakland Raiders for three seasons starting in 2001, totalling eight sacks in 28 games during that time. He is currently an agent for several coaches, players, and broadcasters.
In his six Miami seasons, Armstrong racked up a total of 56.5 sacks and 128 solo tackles with 59 assists. He also forced 16 fumbles and recovered seven. He also made six sacks for the Dolphins in four postseason matchups.
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