1987 Pittsburgh Steelers season

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1987 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. 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.

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

• 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 coach – Chuck Noll
• Offensive coordinator – Tom Moore
• Offensive Line: Tackles/Tight Ends – Ron Blackledge
• Offensive backfield – Dick Hoak
• Offensive Line: Centers/Guards – Hal Hunter
• Computer & special teams – Jon Kolb
• Defensive coordinator – Tony Dungy
• Computer & special teams – Dennis Fitzgerald
• Defensive line – Joe Greene
• Linebackers – Jed Hughes
• 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

NFL replacement players

After the league decided to use replacement players during the NFLPA strike, the following team was assembled:

Roster

Preseason

Schedule

Regular season

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday September 13, 1987): vs. [[San Francisco 49ers]]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
• Game weather: 76 F (Drizzle)
• Game attendance: 55,735
• Referee: Gordon McCarter
• TV announcers: (CBS) Jim Lampley (play by play), Ken Stabler (color commentator)
• Pittsburgh – Hall 50 fumble return (Anderson kick)
• San Francisco – FG Wersching 43
• Pittsburgh – Gothard 2 pass from Malone (Anderson kick)
• Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 50
• Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 41
• San Francisco – Frank 1 pass from Montana (Wersching kick)
• Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 44
• Pittsburgh – Abercrombie 28 run (Anderson kick)
• San Francisco – Rice 3 pass from Montana (Wersching kick)

Week 2 (Sunday September 20, 1987): at [[Cleveland Browns]]

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]]

at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

• Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 16,667
• Referee: Red Cashion
• TV announcers: (NBC) Mel Proctor (play by play), Reggie Rucker (color commentator)

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]]

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.

Week 7 (Sunday October 25, 1987): vs. [[Cincinnati Bengals]]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 1:00 PM EST
• Game weather: 49 F (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]]

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]]

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]]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 1:00 PM EST
• Game weather: 63 F (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]]

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

• Game time: 1:00 PM EST
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 59,910
• Referee: Fred Silva
• TV announcers: (NBC) Mel Proctor (play by play), Sam Rutigliano (color commentator)
• Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 43
• Cincinnati – FG Breech 35
• Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 52
• Pittsburgh – Woodson 45 interception return (Anderson kick)
• Cincinnati – FG Breech 38
• Cincinnati – FG Breech 41
• Pittsburgh – Thompson 14 pass from Malone (Anderson kick)
• Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 46
• CIncinnati – Kinnebrew 2 run (Breech kick)
• Pittsburgh – Malone 42 run (Anderson kick)

Week 12 (Sunday November 29, 1987): vs. [[New Orleans Saints]]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 1:00 PM EST
• Game weather: 48 F (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]]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 1:00 PM EST
• Game weather: 32 F (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]]

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]]

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]]

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 12:30 PM EST
• Game weather: 35 F (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

References

1. (November 11, 1987). "Rookie linebacker Mike Junkin, the Cleveland Browns' first-round pick".
2. Labriola, Bob. (April 5, 2011). "Getting Woodson was pure luck". steelers.com.
3. Bryan, Dave. (April 28, 2015). "ARTICLE Steelers Drafted CB Rod Woodson 28 Years Ago Today".
4. "1987 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide".
5. "1987 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide".
6. "1988 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide".
7. "1987 Pittsburgh Steelers".
8. "1987 Pittsburgh Steelers".