1987 Pittsburgh Steelers season
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.
Offseason
NFL draft
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
[1]
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
1987 Pittsburgh Steelers final roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists
Practice squad
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
Rookies in italics
100 active, 4 inactive
Preseason
Schedule
Regular season
Schedule
Game summaries
Week 1 (Sunday September 13, 1987): vs. San Francisco 49ers
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
0
3
7
7
17
Steelers
7
10
3
10
30
at Three Rivers Stadium , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Week 2 (Sunday September 20, 1987): at Cleveland Browns
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)
Week 3 (Sunday September 27, 1987): vs. New York Jets
Cancelled due to player's strike .
Week 4 (Sunday October 4, 1987): at Atlanta Falcons
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)
Week 5 (Sunday October 11, 1987): at Los Angeles Rams
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)
Week 6 (Sunday October 18, 1987): vs. Indianapolis Colts
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
Week 7 (Sunday October 25, 1987): vs. Cincinnati Bengals
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
Week 8 (Sunday November 1, 1987): at Miami Dolphins
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)
Week 9 (Sunday November 8, 1987): at Kansas City Chiefs
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
Week 10 (Sunday November 15, 1987): vs. Houston Oilers
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
Week 11 (Sunday November 22, 1987): at Cincinnati Bengals
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
3
10
7
10
30
Bengals
3
3
3
7
16
at Riverfront Stadium , Cincinnati, Ohio
Week 12 (Sunday November 29, 1987): vs. New Orleans Saints
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
Week 13 (Sunday December 6, 1987): vs. Seattle Seahawks
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)
Week 14 (Sunday December 13, 1987): at San Diego Chargers
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)
Week 15 (Sunday December 20, 1987): at Houston Oilers
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)
Week 16 (Saturday December 26, 1987): vs. Cleveland Browns
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
^ 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)
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Media Division championships (24) Conference championships (8) League championships (6) Retired numbers Hall of Fame members Current league affiliations