1990 Detroit Lions season

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1990 NFL draft

For the second season in a row, the Lions selected the Heisman Trophy winner with their draft picks, taking quarterback Andre Ware seventh-overall. With their second round pick, the Lions selected defensive end Dan Owens who would record 20.0 sacks with the team between 1990 to 1995 and 1998 to 1999. The Lions looked at defense again with their third round pick, selecting defensive Marc Spindler who recorded 9.0 sacks with the Lions. Their fourth round selection Rob Hinckley didn't make the roster. Their other fourth round selection, cornerback Chris Oldham, recorded one interception in his lone season with the Lions. With their fifth round selection, the Lions looked offense again, selecting Jeff Campbell who would record 495 yards and three touchdowns with the Lions.

Free agency

Months before the draft, former first-round pick Chuck Long had requested a trade. The Lions had worked out a deal for the Colts to get Long contingent on them not being able to trade for the first overall pick to select Jeff George. However, the Colts were able to trade up and select George. Long was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Rams for a third-round draft selection. The Lions let Tony Paige go in free agency: he signed to the Miami Dolphins. The Lions also traded their 1989 second-round selection John Ford to the Seattle Seahawks, and allowed Stacey Mobley walk in free agency, who then signed with Green Bay Packers. Walter Stanley, who led the league in yards per return in the previous season, had high interest going into free agency and was ultimately signed by the Washington Redskins.

The Lions signed cornerback William Judson who, after requiring knee surgery and being placed on injured reserve, was waived in October.

Personnel

Staff

• Owner and president – William Clay Ford Sr.

• Executive vice president and chief operating officer – Chuck Schmidt

• Treasurer – William Clay Ford Jr.

• Director of player personnel – Ron Hughes

• Director of pro scouting – Kevin Colbert

• Head coach – Wayne Fontes

• Off./def. administrative assistant to the head coach – Dave Levy

• Quarterbacks and receivers – Mouse Davis

• Quarterbacks and receivers – June Jones

• Running backs – Billie Matthews

• Receivers – Charlie Sanders

• Offensive line – Jerry Wampfler

• Defensive coordinator/outside linebackers – Woody Widenhofer

• Defensive line – Lamar Leachman

• Inside linebackers – Herb Paterra

• Defensive backs – Len Fontes

• Defensive assistant – Don Clemons

• Special teams – Frank Gansz

• Strength and conditioning – Bert Hill

Roster

Preseason

The Lions began their preseason visiting the Houston Oilers. Using their starters in the first half, the Lions outgained the Oilers with 223 yards to 69. The Lions scored on their opening drive when sophomore Rodney Peete completed a pass to Richard Johnson for the 9-yard score. On the Oilers' first play, Warren Moon fumbled the ball which was recovered by the Lions on the 7-yard line. Barry Sanders scored on a 2-yard rush to give the Lions a 14–0 lead. A missed field goal by Lions' kicker Wilson Hoyle missed a 32-yard field goal. The Oilers scored their first points on an 80-yard drive. The Lions responded with a 23-yard interception return to take the 21–7 lead, which grew to 24–7 on a Hoyle 19-yard field goal. A punt return early in the second half and a 25-yard field goal put the Lions up 34–7. The Oilers tacked on a field goal to bring the final score to 34–10, with the Lions clinching their first preseason win since 1987.

Regular season

Schedule

Game summaries

All game reports use the Pro Football Researchers' gamebook archive as a source.

Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

First quarter

• TAM – Ron Hall 54-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Steve Christie kick good), 12:45. ''Buccaneers 7–0 '''Drive: 4 plays, 71 yards, 2:07.'''''
• DET – Robert Clark 26-yard pass from Rodney Peete (Eddie Murray kick good), 10:14. ''Tied 7–7 '''Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:25.'''''
• DET – Barry Sanders 1-yard rush (Eddie Murray kick good), 1:13. ''Detroit 14–7 '''Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 5:32.''''' Second quarter
• TAM – Bruce Perkins 8-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Steve Christie kick good), 8:53. ''Tied 14–14 '''Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards, 7:10.'''''
• TAM – Gary Anderson 19-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Steve Christie kick good), 6:16. ''Tampa Bay 21–14 '''Drive: 3 plays, 28 yards, 1:53.''''' Third quarter
• TAM – Reggie Cobb 2-yard rush (Steve Christie kick good), 10:31. ''Tampa Bay 28–14 '''Drive: 7 plays, 38 yards, 3:28.''''' Fourth quarter
• TAM – Steve Christie 22-yard field goal, 6:48. ''Tampa Bay 31–14 '''Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 8:43.'''''
• DET – Robert Clark 16-yard pass from Bob Gagliano (Eddie Murray kick good), 5:34. ''Tampa Bay 31–21 '''Drive: 4 plays, 76 yards, 1:04.'''''
• TAM – Wayne Haddix 62-yard interception return (Steve Christie kick good), 5:15. Tampa Bay 38–21

Top passers

• TAM – Vinny Testaverde – 16/21, 237 yards, 3 TD, INT
• DET – Rodney Peete – 10/21, 143 yards, TD, INT

Top receivers

• TAM – Gary Anderson – 6 receptions, 79 yards, TD
• DET – Robert Clark – 6 receptions, 117 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

• TAM – Gary Anderson – 21 rushes, 74 yards
• DET – Barry Sanders – 14 rushes, 79 yards, TD

The Lions received the second half kickoff, but fumbled it away on second down, turning it over. The Buccaneers quickly scored with aReggie Cobb 2-yard rushing touchdown to put the Buccaneers up 28–14. The Lions punted on their next drive, with the Buccaneers taking over on the Lions 47. The Bucs' got down to the Lions 25-yard line, but a Testaverde pass that went through the hands of Mark Carrier was intercepted which was returned 48-yard to the Bucs 32-yard line. The Lions moved the ball to the Bucs' 8-yard line. On 2nd and 7, Peete faked the handoff to Sanders and ran around to the right into the end zone for the 8-yard touchdown. However, upon review, the play was overturned. The Lions converted a 3rd and 1 on the 2 with a Sanders 1-yard rush. On 1st down from the 1, Peete fumbled the ball attempting a QB sneak which was turned over for a touchback. The Bucs took their new possession into the fourth quarter, settling for a 22-yard field goal by Steve Christie. On the Lions next drive, a 24-yard Sanders rush and a Bob Gagliano pass to Clark for 21 set up the 16-yard touchdown pass from Gagliano to Clark. The Lions attempted an onside kick, successfully recovering it with 5:28 left in the game. On the first play of their new drive, Gagliano threw an interception that was returned 62-yards for the touchdown. On the Lions first play after the turnover, the Lions turned the ball over again on a fumble. The Lions had one more drive to produce points, but a Gagliano interception leading to the two-minute warning sealed the 21–38 loss for the Lions.

Week 2: vs. Atlanta Falcons

First quarter

• DET – Terry Greer 12-yard pass from Rodney Peete (Eddie Murray kick good), 5:06. ''Detroit 7–0 '''Drive: 4 plays, 72 yards, 1:53.'''''
• ATL – Andre Rison 10-yard pass from Chris Miller (Greg Davis kick good), 0:33. ''Tied 7–7 '''Drive: 4 plays, 73 yards, 1:48.''''' Second quarter
• DET – Richard Johnson 5-yard pass from Rodney Peete (Eddie Murray kick good), 10:02. ''Detroit 14–7 '''Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 5:19.'''''
• DET – Barry Sanders 17-yard rush (Eddie Murray kick good), 0:20. ''Detroit 21–7 '''Drive: 5 plays, 36 yards, 0:54.''''' Third quarter
• ATL – Steve Broussard 3-yard rush (Greg Davis kick good), 7:44. ''Detroit 21–14 '''Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 7:08.'''''

Top passers

• ATL – Chris Miller – 18/31, 196 yards, TD
• DET – Rodney Peete – 13/26, 167 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top receivers

• ATL – Michael Haynes – 1 receptions, 60 yards
• DET – Robert Clark – 4 receptions, 62 yards

Top rushers

• ATL – Gary Anderson – 21 rushes, 74 yards
• DET – Barry Sanders – 14 rushes, 79 yards, TD

The Falcons received the opening kickoff to start the second half. The Falcons, beginning at their own 37-yard line, moved into Lions territory with a Miller pass to Keith Jones for 11 yards. The Falcons got down to the Lions 3 on 2nd down and scored on a Steve Broussard 3-yard rushing touchdown to put the Falcons within 7 at 14–21. After two punts for each team, Peete threw an interception on 2nd and 20 to bring the Falcons' new drive into the fourth quarter. The Falcons looked poised to score when the team got down to the Lions 13-yard line. However, Miller fumbled the snap which was recovered by Detroit. After a total of four punts, the Lions drained the remaining clock with help from a Bob Gagliano 22-yard rush to bring up the final score of 21–14.

Week 3: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

First quarter

• DET – Eddie Murray 25-yard field goal, 3:39. ''Detroit 3–0 '''Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 3:46.''''' Second quarter
• TAM – Steve Christie 55-yard field goal, 13:03. ''Tied 3–3 '''Drive: 10 plays, 34 yards, 5:36.'''''
• TAM – Steve Christie 28-yard field goal, 8:52. ''Tampa Bay 6–3 '''Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:54.'''''
• DET – Eddie Murray 33-yard field goal, 3:31. ''Tied 6–6 '''Drive: 13 plays, 63 yards, 5:21.''''' Third quarter
• DET – Rodney Peete 1-yard rush (Eddie Murray kick good), 10:56. ''Detroit 13–6 '''Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 4:04.'''''
• TAM – Steve Christie 21-yard field goal, 3:21. ''Detroit 13–9 '''Drive: 14 plays, 61 yards, 7:35.''''' Fourth quarter
• TAM – Gary Anderson 11-yard rush (Steve Christie kick good), 10:08. ''Tampa Bay 16–13 '''Drive: 4 plays, 47 yards, 1:35.'''''
• DET – Robert Clark 5-yard pass from Rodney Peete (Eddie Murray kick good), 6:46. ''Detroit 20–16 '''Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 3:22.'''''
• TAM – John Harvey 3-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Steve Christie kick good), 4:21. ''Tampa Bay 23–20 '''Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 2:25.''''' Top passers
• DET – Rodney Peete – 17/26, 169 yards, TD
• TAM – Vinny Testaverde – 13/22, 181 yards, TD Top rushers
• DET – Rodney Peete – 8 rushes, 97 yards, TD
• TAM – Gary Anderson – 17 rushes, 71 yards, TD Top receivers
• DET – Richard Johnson – 7 receptions, 73 yards
• TAM – Mark Carrier – 4 receptions, 65 yards

Week 12: vs. Denver Broncos

First quarter

• DET – Richard Johnson 11-yard pass from Bob Gagliano (Eddie Murray kick), 10:11. ''Lions 7–0. '''Drive:'''''
• DEN – Melvin Bratton 1-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 6:45. ''Tie 7–7. '''Drive:'''''
• DET – Barry Sanders 7-yard run (Eddie Murray kick), 4:32. ''Lions 14–7. '''Drive:'''''
• DET – Richard Johnson 43-yard pass from Bob Gagliano (Eddie Murray kick), 0:50. ''Lions 21–7. '''Drive:''''' Second quarter
• DET – Eddie Murray 24-yard field goal, 1:32. ''Lions 24–7. '''Drive:'''''
• DEN – David Treadwell 24-yard field goal, 8:40. ''Lions 24–10. '''Drive:'''''
• DEN – Wymon Henderson 48-yard interception return (David Treadwell kick), 7:40. Lions 24–17.
• DET – Eddie Murray 32-yard field goal, 1:55. ''Lions 27–17. '''Drive:''''' Third quarter
• DEN – David Treadwell 32-yard field goal, 9:32. ''Lions 27–20. '''Drive:'''''
• DET – Barry Sanders 35-yard pass from Bob Gagliano (Eddie Murray kick), 6:32. ''Lions 34–20. '''Drive:''''' Fourth quarter
• DEN – Melvin Bratton 1-yard run (David Treadwell kick), 14:14. ''Lions 34–27. '''Drive:'''''
• DET – Eddie Murray 43-yard field goal, 3:43. ''Lions 37–27. '''Drive:'''''
• DET – Eddie Murray 45-yard field goal, 2:51. ''Lions 40–27. '''Drive:''''' ;Top passers
• DEN – John Elway – 24/36, 246 yards, INT
• DET – Bob Gagliano – 18/30, 248 yards, 3 TD, INT ;Top rushers
• DEN – Bobby Humphrey – 16 rushes, 53 yards
• DET – Barry Sanders – 23 rushes, 147 yards, TD ;Top receivers
• DEN – Ricky Nattiel – 3 receptions, 50 yards
• DET – Richard Johnson – 5 receptions, 83 yards, 2 TD

Standings

Player stats

Rushing

Receiving

Awards and records

• Jerry Ball, Second-Team All-Pro selection
• Jerry Ball, Pro Bowl Reserve Selection
• Lomas Brown, Second-Team All-Pro selection
• Mike Cofer, Second-Team All-Pro selection
• Mel Gray, First-Team All-Pro selection
• Eddie Murray, Pro Bowl Selection
• Barry Sanders, First-Team All-Pro selection
• Barry Sanders, Pro Bowl Selection
• Chris Spielman, Pro Bowl Reserve Selection

References

References

1. (April 23, 1990). "The Heisman connection". Battle Creek Enquirer.
2. "Dan Owens Stats".
3. "Marc Spindler Stats".
4. "Chris Oldham Stats".
5. "Jeff Campbell Stats".
6. "1990 Detroit Lions Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
7. (April 23, 1990). "Long feels left out of Lions' plans". Detroit Free Press.
8. (May 3, 1990). "Lions hope Ware, Peete, Gagliano have answers".
9. (March 14, 1990). "In the news". Hartford Courant.
10. (August 26, 1990). "NFL Notebook". The Charlotte Observer.
11. (April 17, 1990). "Sports Briefs". The Capital Times.
12. (March 2, 1990). "Football". Casper Star Tribune.
13. (March 23, 1990). "Other football". The News and Advance.
14. (March 30, 1990). "Dolphins lose four players - in a day". News-Press.
15. (October 25, 1990). "LIONS WAIVE 2". The Reporter Dispatch.
16. (August 10, 1990). "Season opening roar". Petoskey News-Review.
17. "PFRA | PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL RESEARCHERS ASSOCIATION".
18. (September 9, 1990). "1990 Week 1 Gamebook, Buccaneers at Lions".
19. (September 16, 1990). "1990 Week 2 Gamebook, Falcons at Lions".