NFL team season
The 1987 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 55th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League . The team improved from a 6–10 record from 1986 and finishing 8–7 record and fail to reach the playoffs for a third straight season. Noll was renowned as a stoic character, but in complete contrast was his reaction to Jerry Glanville , the head coach of the Oilers. After the Steelers second meeting, Noll in the postgame handshake grabbed Glanville and told him he'd better watch out or he'd get jumped on. This was in reaction to Glanville's earlier comments on how the Oilers field was the 'house of pain' and his prediction that his players would intentionally hurt the Steelers.
1987 would also mark a "bridging the eras" moment in Steelers history, as 1987 would mark the final seasons of Hall of Famers John Stallworth and Donnie Shell while also being the rookie season of another future Hall of Famer, Rod Woodson . Alongside fellow Hall of Famer Mike Webster (who would return for 1988), Stallworth and Shell were two of the final three players on the roster that had been part of all four Super Bowl -winning teams of the 1970s, while Woodson alongside fellow rookie Greg Lloyd (who would miss the 1987 season due to injuries) would be key members of the Steelers return to prominence in the 1990s.
Offseason
NFL draft
The Steelers 1987 draft class, while not on the same level as their famous 1974 draft class , would turn out to be one of their better draft classes and by far their best in the 1980s.
Although the Steelers wanted to draft Rod Woodson to help rebuild their secondary, the team expected Woodson to be drafted before their turn at tenth overall. Head coach Chuck Noll instructed defensive coordinator Tony Dungy not to bother with a scouting report on Woodson due to his expected unavailability. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers were able to draft Woodson after the Cleveland Browns traded for the San Diego Chargers' fifth overall pick and subsequently used selection to draft linebacker Mike Junkin , who was eventually a bust.[ 1] The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Kelly Stouffer (sixth overall) who ultimately never played for the Cardinals due to a contract dispute. The Buffalo Bills were the last likely team to draft Woodson, but instead used the eighth overall pick to draft linebacker Shane Conlan .[ 2] [ 3]
After the team lucked out on drafting Woodson, the team would get a solid starter (and eventual team Rookie of the Year) in fellow corner Delton Hall , who would get more playing time than Woodson in 1987 due to the latter holding out for a bigger contract into the season. In addition to Woodson and Lloyd, the team also drafted future Pro Bowlers Thomas Everett and Hardy Nickerson , as well as fullback Merril Hoge , who would be a solid starter for several seasons and later gained fame as an analyst for ESPN . On the undrafted front, the team signed Dwight Stone , who would last 14 years in the NFL including eight in Pittsburgh.
Undrafted free agents
Personnel
Staff
1987 Pittsburgh Steelers staff
Front office
Chairman of the board – Arthur J. Rooney
President – Daniel M. Rooney
Vice president – John R. McGinley
Vice president – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr.
Treasurer – Dennis P. Thimons
Business manager – Joe Gordon
Chief negotiator – James A. Boston
Office manager - stadium – Dan Ferens
Publicity director – Dan Edwards
Assistant publicity director – Pat Hanlon
Director of ticket sales – Geraldine Glenn
Computer director - accounting – Jim Ellenberger
Director of player personnel – Dick Haley
Director of pro scouting – Tom Modrak
Talent scout – East – Tom Donahoe
Talent scout – Midwest – Jesse Kaye
Talent scout – West Coast – Bob Schmitz
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Strength and conditioning
Conditioning & training coach – Walt Evans
Dentist – Dr. George P. Boucek
Ophthalmologist – Dr. Phillip Buzzelli
Physician, orthopedic – Dr. Thomas W. Cowan
Physician, M.D. – Dr. David S. Huber
Neurological surgery consultant – Dr. Joseph C. Maroon
Physician, M.D. – Dr. Richard Rydze
Physician, consultant – Dr. Abraham J.Twerski
Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates
Trainer – Ralph Berlin
Trainer – Fran Feld
Equipment manager – Anthony Parisi
Field manager – Rodgers Freyvogel
Video & film director – Bob McCartney
Photographers – Mike Fabus, Bill Amatucci
[ 4]
NFL replacement players
After the league decided to use replacement players during the NFLPA strike, the following team was assembled:
1987 Pittsburgh Steelers replacement roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Roster
Preseason
Schedule
Regular season
Schedule
Game summaries
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
0
3
7
7
17
Steelers
7
10
3
10
30
at Three Rivers Stadium , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
0
3
7
0
10
Browns
0
10
7
17
34
at Cleveland Municipal Stadium , Cleveland, Ohio
Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
Game weather:
Game attendance: 79,543
Referee: Gene Barth
TV announcers: (NBC) Marv Albert (play by play), Joe Namath (color commentator)
Cleveland – FG Jaeger 29
Cleveland – Mack 1 run (Jaeger kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 27
PIttsburgh – Shell 19 fumble return (Anderson kick)
Cleveland – McNeil 11 pass from Kosar (Jaeger kick)
Cleveland – FG Jaeger 23
Cleveland – Matthews 26 interception return (Jaeger kick)
Cleveland – Weathers 37 pass from Kosar (Jaeger kick)
Cancelled due to player's strike .
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
0
14
0
14
28
Falcons
3
0
2
7
12
at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium , Atlanta, Georgia
This game was played with replacement players.
Atlanta – FG Davis 27
Pittsburgh – Jackson 1 run (Trout kick)
Pittsburgh – Hairston 5 pass from Bono (Trout kick)
Atlanta – Safety, Bono penalized for intentional grounding in end zone
Pittsburgh – Bono 1 run (Trout kick)
Pittsburgh – Clinkscales 11 pass from Collier (Trout kick)
Atlanta – Barney 19 pass from Van Raaphorst (Davis kick)
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
7
7
0
7
21
Rams
7
14
7
3
31
at Anaheim Stadium , Anaheim, California
Game time: 4:00 PM EDT
Game weather:
Game attendance: 20,219
Referee: Bob Frederic
TV announcers: (NBC) Fred Roggin (play by play), Dave Lapham (color commentator)
This game was played with replacement players.
Los Angeles Rams – Jackson recovered blocked punt in end zone (Lansford kick)
Pittsburgh – Alston 22 pass from Bono (Trout kick)
Pittsburgh – Carter 10 pass from Bono (Trout kick)
Los Angeles Rams – White 2 run (Lansford kick)
Los Angeles Rams – McDonald 1 pass from Dils (Lansford kick)
Los Angeles Rams – Moore 11 pass from Dils (Lansford kick)
Los Angeles Rams – FG Lansford 29
Pittsburgh – Alston 42 pass from Collier (Trout kick)
This game was played with replacement players.
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Colts
Passing
Blair Kiel
17/30, 195 Yds, TD, 3 INT
Rushing
Gordon Brown
9 Rush, 32 Yds
Receiving
Mark Bellini
5 Rec, 69 Yds
Steelers
Passing
Steve Bono
11/23, 138 Yds, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Earnest Jackson
24 Rush, 134 Yds
Receiving
John Stallworth
5 Rec, 54 Yds, TD
1
2
3
4
Total
Bengals
7
7
6
0
20
Steelers
3
0
7
13
23
at Three Rivers Stadium , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C) (Mostly Cloudy)
Game attendance: 53,692
Referee: Fred Wyant
TV announcers: (NBC) Don Criqui (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
Cincinnati – Kinnebrew 2 run (Breech kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 45
Cincinnati – Martin 41 pass from Esiason (Breech kick)
Pittsburgh – Hall 25 run with lateral after Hinkle interception (Anderson kick)
Cincinnati – Jennings 9 pass from Esiason (kick failed)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 21
Pittsburgh – Stallworth 12 pass from Malone (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 20
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
14
7
3
0
24
Dolphins
0
7
14
14
35
at Joe Robbie Stadium , Miami, Florida
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather:
Game attendance: 52,578
Referee: Bob McElwee
TV announcers: (NBC) Sam Nover (play by play), Michael Jackson (color commentator)
Pittsburgh – Lockett 10 pass from Malone (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – Shell 50 interception return (Anderson kick)
Miami – Hardy 2 pass from Marino (Reveiz kick)
Pittsburgh – Pollard 1 run (Anderson kick)
Miami – Clayton 41 pass from Marino (Reveiz kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 43
Miami – Duper 50 pass from Marino (Reveiz kick)
Miami – Clayton 33 pass from Marino (Reveiz kick)
Miami – Stradford 5 run (Reveiz kick)
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
0
7
7
3
17
Chiefs
7
3
0
6
16
at Arrowhead Stadium , Kansas City, Missouri
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather:
Game attendance: 45,249
Referee: Jim Tunney
TV announcers: (NBC) Tom Hammond (play by play), Michael Jackson (color commentator)
Kansas City – Maas 6 fumble return (Lowery kick)
Pittsburgh – Carter 4 pass from Malone (Anderson kick)
Kansas City – FG Lowery 41
Pittsburgh – Carter 26 pass from Malone (Anderson kick)
Kansas City – FG Lowery 27
Kansas City – FG Lowery 38
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 44
1
2
3
4
Total
Oilers
0
3
14
6
23
Steelers
3
0
0
0
3
at Three Rivers Stadium , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C) (Partly Cloudy)
Game attendance: 56,177
Referee: Jerry Seeman
TV announcers: (NBC) Marv Albert (play by play), Joe Namath (color commentator)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 22
Houston – FG Zendejas 34
Houston – Duncan 14 pass from Moon (Zendejas kick)
Houston – D. Hill 42 pass from Moon (Zendejas kick)
Houston – FG Zendejas 20
Houston – FG Zendejas 40
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
3
10
7
10
30
Bengals
3
3
3
7
16
at Riverfront Stadium , Cincinnati, Ohio
1
2
3
4
Total
Saints
3
0
7
10
20
Steelers
0
14
0
2
16
at Three Rivers Stadium , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C) (Overcast)
Game attendance: 47,896
Referee: Fred Wyant
TV announcers: (CBS) Tim Brant (play by play), Hank Stram (color commentator)
New Orleans – FG Andersen 25
Pittsburgh – Woodruff 33 interception return (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – Abercrombie 5 run (Anderson kick)
New Orleans – Mayes 5 run (Andersen kick)
New Orleans – Martin 19 pass from Hebert (Andersen kick)
New Orleans – FG Andersen 32
Pittsburgh – Safety, Hansen ran out of end zone
1
2
3
4
Total
Seahawks
3
6
0
0
9
Steelers
3
3
0
7
13
at Three Rivers Stadium , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 32 °F (0 °C) (Overcast)
Game attendance: 48,881
Referee: Gordon McCarter
TV announcers: (NBC) Tom Hammond (play by play), Michael Jackson (color commentator)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 37
Seattle – FG Johnson 33
Seattle – Largent 12 pass from Krieg (pass failed)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 24
Pittsburgh – Pollard 11 run (Anderson kick)
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
0
7
10
3
20
Chargers
9
0
7
0
16
at Jack Murphy Stadium , San Diego, California
Game time: 4:00 PM EST
Game weather:
Game attendance: 51,605
Referee: Jim Tunney
TV announcers: (NBC) Don Criqui (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
San Diego – Brandon recovered blocked punt in end zone (Abbott kick)
San Diego – Safety, Ehin tackled Malone in end zone
Pittsburgh – Pollard 8 run (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – Malone 7 run (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 43
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 33
San Diego – James 15 pass from Fouts (Abbott kick)
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
3
3
7
3
16
Oilers
0
10
7
7
24
at Astrodome , Houston, Texas
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: Dome
Game attendance: 36,683
Referee: Tom Dooley
TV announcers: (NBC) Tom Hammond (play by play), Sam Rutigliano (color commentator)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 25
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 35
Houston – Hill 52 pass from Moon (Zendejas kick)
Houston – FG Zendejas 34
Pittsburgh – Malone 1 run (Anderson kick)
Houston – Pinkett 5 run (Zendejas kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 20
Houston – Hill 30 pass from Moon (Zendejas kick)
1
2
3
4
Total
Browns
3
6
3
7
19
Steelers
0
3
0
10
13
at Three Rivers Stadium , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game time: 12:30 PM EST
Game weather: 35 °F (2 °C) (Overcast)
Game attendance: 56,394
Referee: Dick Hantak
TV announcers: (NBC) Don Criqui (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
Cleveland – FG Bahr 31
Cleveland – Tennell 2 pass from Kosar (kick failed)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 39
Cleveland – FG Bahr 30
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 27
Cleveland – Byner 2 run (Bahr kick)
Pittsburgh – Gowdy 45 interception return (Anderson kick)
Standings
References
^ "Rookie linebacker Mike Junkin, the Cleveland Browns' first-round pick" . upi.com . November 11, 1987. Retrieved September 19, 2018 .
^ Labriola, Bob (April 5, 2011). "Getting Woodson was pure luck" . steelers.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2016 .
^ Bryan, Dave (April 28, 2015). "ARTICLE Steelers Drafted CB Rod Woodson 28 Years Ago Today" . SteelersDepot.com . Retrieved September 19, 2018 .
^ 1987 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide .
^ 1987 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide .
^ 1988 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide .
^ "1987 Pittsburgh Steelers" . Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved December 23, 2014 .
^ "1987 Pittsburgh Steelers" . Football @ JT-SW.com . Retrieved December 23, 2014 .
External links
Formerly the Pittsburgh Pirates (1933–1939)
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