1984 Pittsburgh Steelers season

Offseason

Draft

Main article: 1984 NFL draft

Undrafted free agents

Personnel

Staff

• Chairman of the board – Arthur J. Rooney
• President – Daniel M. Rooney
• Vice president – John R. McGinley
• Vice president – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr.
• Controller – Dennis P. Thimons
• Assistant controller – Dan Ferens
• Traveling secretary – James A. Boston
• Publicity director – Joe Gordon
• Assistant publicity director – John Evenson
• Director of ticket sales – Geraldine Glenn
• Assistant director of ticket sales – Jim Ellenberger
• Director of player personnel – Dick Haley
• Assistant director of player personnel – William Nunn, Jr.
• Pro talent scout – Tom Modrak
• Talent scout – West Coast – Bob Schmitz
• College talent scout – Joe Krupa
• Head coach – Chuck Noll
• Offensive coordinator – Tom Moore
• Offensive backfield – Dick Hoak
• Offensive Line: Tackles/Tight Ends – Ron Blackledge
• Offensive Line: Centers/Guards – Bill Meyers
• Defensive coordinator – Tony Dungy
• Inside linebackers – Dennis Fitzgerald
• Outside linebackers – Jed Hughes
• Defensive line – Jon Kolb
• Conditioning coach – Jon Kolb
• Assistant conditioning coach – Walt Evans
• Physician, M.D. – Dr. David S. Huber
• Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates
• Physician, orthopedic – Dr. Paul Steele
• Neurological surgery consultant – Dr. Joseph C. Maroon
• Dentist – Dr. George P. Boucek
• Ophthalmologist – Dr. Phillip Buzzelli
• Trainer – Ralph Berlin
• Assistant trainer – Gary Stragar
• Equipment manager – Anthony Parisi
• Field manager – Rodgers Freyvogel
• Film director – Bob McCartney
• Photographers – Harry Homa, Bill Amatucci

Roster

1984 would prove to be somewhat of a transition year for the Steelers, as it would mark the final season of several key members of their 1970s dynasty—most notably Jack Lambert (who missed several games during the season due to a recurring turf toe injury), but also Larry Brown and Craig Colquitt—as well as the retirement of Mel Blount in mid-March and the unexpected retirement of Terry Bradshaw in late July.

Additionally, Cliff Stoudt, the starting quarterback in 1983 while Bradshaw was injured, departed for the United States Football League, leaving the Steelers thin at the position after Bradshaw's retirement on the eve of training camp. The team would trade for former Miami Dolphins starter David Woodley, who had been supplanted on his former team by Oakland native and former Pitt quarterback Dan Marino. The Steelers infamously passed over Marino in the first round of the previous year's draft in favor of Gabriel Rivera, who by 1984 was already out of football; he suffered a spinal cord injury in a drunk driving crash that permanently left him a quadriplegic. Woodley would split time with Mark Malone under center.

In addition to Bradshaw, 1984 would also mark another unexpected departure: Franco Harris. Unlike Bradshaw, this would be due to a pay dispute. As Harris was closing in on Jim Brown's rushing record alongside Chicago's Walter Payton, Harris felt that he deserved a pay raise. The Rooney family, feeling that Harris was near the end of his career, felt otherwise, and it led to Harris's release during training camp. Harris would sign with the Seattle Seahawks and play eight games for that team before retiring 192 yards short of Brown's record, which would be surpassed by Payton that season.

On a positive note, 1984 would mark the first year of wide receiver Louis Lipps, who would set many team records during his career and would retire in second place on the Steelers all-time receiving list behind teammate John Stallworth; Lipps is currently fourth behind Hines Ward, Stallworth and Antonio Brown.

Preseason

Schedule

Regular season

Schedule

Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Mark Malone and David Woodley combined for 419 passing yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, while the Chiefs won despite putting up just 264 yards of total offense.

Week 2: at New York Jets

After coughing up four turnovers to the Chiefs, the Steelers picked off Pat Ryan three times and forced a fumble; they also bullied the Jets into eleven penalties for 115 yards.

Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams

The Steelers limited Eric Dickerson to 49 rushing yards and forced two Rams fumbles.

Week 4: at Cleveland Browns

Week 5: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 6: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 7 (Sunday, October 14, 1984): at [[1984 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]]

• Point spread: 49ers by 8
• Over/under: 42.0 (under)
• Time of game:

This game was not on many NBC stations, since game 5 of the World Series was being broadcast at the same time. However, that game would prove the last Sunday afternoon World Series game. This was the solitary game the eventual Super Bowl champion 49ers lost during the 1984 season.

Week 8: at Indianapolis Colts

This game was particularly frustrating to Steeler fans. One week previously, the Steelers beat the 49ers in San Francisco – becoming the solitary team to achieve this as the 49ers finished 15-1 on the way to winning the Super Bowl. Then coming back east to play one of the worst teams of the season, the Indianapolis Colts – who had only two wins at that point and were to win just four games for the season – they lost on a last minute improbable play after leading throughout the game. The Colts’ third-string quarterback, Mike Pagel, came off the bench in the third quarter and was leading a final minute drive from their 20. On the Colts 40 with 34 seconds left, Pagel avoided a near sack, scrambled right and threw down the middle of the field to WR Bernard Henry. The ball however went directly to the hands of Steeler CB Sam Washington who bobbled the ball. Between Washington and a few other Steeler defenders, WR Ray Butler burst through the gap, snatched the ball in the air and ran untouched 54 yards for the touchdown. The extra point sealed the game.

Week 9: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 10 vs. Houston Oilers

The Steelers limited Warren Moon and Oliver Luck to 224 yards; the Oilers fumbled four times.

Week 11: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 12: at New Orleans Saints

The Saints won their first Monday Night game in seven tries, and also avenged a 1974 Monday Night loss to the Steelers at Tulane Stadium. It was Pittsburgh's first loss to New Orleans since 1969 in what was the Steelers’ final game in the NFL before moving to the AFC as part of the AFL-NFL merger.

Former Steelers linebacker Dennis Winston played for the Saints in this game. It was also a homecoming for Lipps, who played at nearby East St. John High School.

Week 13: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 14: at Houston Oilers

The Steelers tied the game in the fourth yet fell in overtime, all despite intercepting Warren Moon three times.

Week 15: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 16: at Los Angeles Raiders

Standings

Playoffs

AFC Divisional Playoff: at Denver Broncos

The Steelers sacked John Elway four times and picked him off twice.

AFC Championship game: at Miami Dolphins

• Mark Malone 20/36, 312 yards Rushing
• Walter Abercrombie 15–68, Frank Pollard 11–48, Rich Erenberg 6–27 Receiving
• John Stallworth 4–111, Rich Erenberg 5–59, Louis Lipps 3–45, Calvin Sweeney 3–42, Wayne Capers 1–29, Frank Pollard 3–13, Walter Abercrombie 1–13 Defense
• Ray Oldham INT, Walt Williams INT

Dan Marino threw four touchdowns and over 400 yards, outdueling Mark Malone’s 312 yards and three scores; Miami picked off Malone three times.

Honors and awards

• UPI AFC Rookie of the Year – Louis Lipps wide receiver
• AP Offensive Rookie of the Year – Louis Lipps
• NFL Comeback Player of the Year – John Stallworth

References

References

1. "1984 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide".
2. (July 5, 2016). "The day Terry Bradshaw retired from the Steelers". Cover32.
3. "1985 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide".
4. "1984 Pittsburgh Steelers".
5. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198409020pit.htm Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 2nd, 1984]
6. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198409060nyj.htm Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets – September 6th, 1984]
7. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198409160pit.htm Los Angeles Rams at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 16th, 1984]
8. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198409230cle.htm Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – September 23rd, 1984]
9. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198410010pit.htm Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 1st, 1984]
10. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198410070pit.htm Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 7th, 1984]
11. [https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984101411 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2022-Jun-25.
12. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198410140sfo.htm Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers – October 14th, 1984]
13. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198410210clt.htm Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts – October 21st, 1984]
14. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19841022&id=hFhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Bu8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5227,3705683&hl=en "Colts beat odds with a good tip"], The Spokesman-Review, October 22, 1984, page 13.
15. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198410280pit.htm Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 28th, 1984]
16. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198411040pit.htm Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 4th, 1984]
17. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198411110cin.htm Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals – November 11th, 1984]
18. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198411250pit.htm San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 25th, 1984]
19. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198412020oti.htm Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers – December 2nd, 1984]
20. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198412160rai.htm Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Raiders - December 16th, 1984]
21. ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198412300den.htm Divisional Round - Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos - December 30th, 1984]