NFL team season
The 1988 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 56th in the National Football League . Hall of Fame team founder and owner Art Rooney died at age 87 less than two weeks before the start of the season on August 25. The team wore AJR patches on the left shoulder the entire season in memory of "The Chief".
The team finished the season at 5–11 failing to improve on their 8-7 record from 1987, and had their worst record since finishing an NFL-worst 1–13 in 1969 . As of 2018 , the 5–11 mark remains the team's worst record since 1969, and they have only finished with ten losses twice since, in 1999 and 2003 .
The Steelers got off to a disappointing start.[according to whom? ] After winning their home opener against the Dallas Cowboys , the team lost six straight, their first six-game losing streak since 1969 . The team never recovered after the skid, and at one point had a 2–10 record after a 27–7 loss to the Cleveland Browns . It was the Steelers worst start to a season since the merger. The team had several horrible and forgetful games during the season.[according to whom? ] One of those games was their week 10 game against the Cincinnati Bengals , a game in which they lost, 42-7, the most points they had allowed in a game since 1985 , when they allowed 54 points against the Chargers . The Steelers did, however, finish the season on a positive note, winning 3 of their last 4 games to finish the season 5-11.
Personnel
Staff
1988 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.
Business Manager – Joe Gordon
Controller – Ralph Meacham
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]
Roster
1988 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]
Rookies in italics
53 active, 1 inactive
Offseason
The Steelers saw two of its last three remaining players who won all four Super Bowls retire in wide receiver John Stallworth and strong safety Donnie Shell , who were both from the team's famous Class of 1974 that saw four players go on to the Pro Football Hall of Fame (although Shell was undrafted , he was still from the same rookie class), and in the case of Stallworth, retired as the team's all-time leading receiver. (Stallworth's record was surpassed by Hines Ward in 2005 .)
Mike Webster , who was also from the Class of 1974, entered the season as the sole remaining member of all four Super Bowl teams. However, change appeared to be imminent when the team drafted Kentucky guard Dermontti Dawson in the second round of the 1988 draft . Although Dawson would be playing guard his rookie season alongside Webster, it was apparent that Dawson was drafted to be groomed as Webster's eventual replacement at center . Webster would be released by the Steelers in the following offseason, officially ending the team's link to all four Super Bowl clubs.
To the delight of Steelers fans, and even most of the players, the Mark Malone era officially ended in the offseason as well. Malone, who had lost the starting quarterback job to Bubby Brister the previous year , was traded to the San Diego Chargers during the offseason. Malone had also become hugely unpopular with fans and teammates for blaming his mistakes on other players and acting as if he were the "heir" to the QB position after the retirement of Terry Bradshaw . At one point, a locker room fight between Malone and the rest of the team ensued before being broken up by veteran offensive tackle Tunch Ilkin .
Preseason
Schedule
Regular season
Schedule
Game summaries
Week 1
1
2 3 4 Total
Cowboys
7
0 7 7
21
• Steelers
10
0 7 7
24
Scoring Drives:
Dallas – Newsome 3 run (Zendejas kick)
Pittsburgh – Jackson 15 run (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 32
Pittsburgh – Brister 1 run (Anderson kick)
Dallas – Irvin 35 pass from Pelluer (Zendejas kick)
Pittsburgh – Jackson 29 run (Anderson kick)
Dallas – Alexander 8 pass from Pelluer (Zendejas kick)
Week 2
1
2 3 4 Total
Steelers
3
10 6 10
29
• Redskins
7
3 7 13
30
Scoring Drives:
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 33
Washington – Clark 55 pass from Williams (Lohmiller kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 24
Washington – FG Lohmiller 37
Pittsburgh – Lipps 80 pass from Brister (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – Brister 6 run (kick failed)
Washington – Morris 1 run (Lohmiller kick)
Washington – FG Lohmiller 46
Pittsburgh – Stone 72 pass from Brister (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 43
Washington – Bryant 7 pass from Williams (Lohmiller kick)
Washington – FG Lohmiller 19
Week 3
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
CIN
PIT
1
13:27
Steelers
Safety, holding penalty on Montoya in end zone
0
2
2
9:22
Bengals
Wilson 13-yard touchdown reception from Esiason , Breech kick good
7
2
3
6:55
Steelers
Lipps 9-yard touchdown reception from Brister , Anderson kick good
7
9
3
3:18
Bengals
32-yard field goal by Breech
10
9
4
11:48
Steelers
19-yard field goal by Anderson
10
12
4
10:01
Bengals
Brown 65-yard touchdown reception from Esiason, Breech kick good
17
12
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
17
12
Week 4
1
2 3 4 Total
Steelers
0
14 0 14
28
• Bills
10
6 14 6
36
Scoring Drives:
Week 5
1
2 3 4 Total
• Browns
0
7 6 10
23
Steelers
6
3 0 0
9
Scoring Drives:
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 49
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 35
Cleveland – Manoa 1 run (Bahr kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 45
Cleveland – FG Bahr 22
Cleveland – FG Bahr 21
Cleveland – Washington 75 interception return (Bahr kick)
Cleveland – FG Bahr 40
Week 6
1
2 3 4 Total
Steelers
7
0 0 7
14
• Cardinals
7
17 7 0
31
Scoring Drives:
Phoenix – Awalt 32 pass from Lomax (Del Greco kick)
Pittsburgh – Woodson 92 kickoff return (Anderson kick)
Phoenix – FG Del Greco 19
Phoenix – Jordan 1 run (Del Greco kick)
Phoenix – J. T. Smith 13 pass from Lomax (Del Greco kick)
Phoenix – J. T. Smith 3 pass from Lomax (Del Greco kick)
Pittsburgh – Hoge 12 pass from Bono (Anderson kick)
Week 7
1
2 3 4 Total
• Oilers
6
12 7 9
34
Steelers
0
7 0 7
14
Scoring Drives:
Houston – Rozier 2 run (pass failed)
Houston – FG Zendejas 50
Houston – Safety, Seale blocked punt out of end zone
Houston – Givins 43 pass from Moon (Zendejas kick)
Pittsburgh – Lockett 9 pass from Blackledge (Anderson kick)
Houston – Pinkett 1 run (Zendejas kick)
Houston – FG Zendejas 27
Houston – Hill 24 pass from Moon (kick failed)
Pittsburgh – Hoge 1 run (Anderson kick)
Week 8
1
2 3 4 Total
Broncos
0
0 7 14
21
• Steelers
14
13 3 9
39
Scoring Drives:
Pittsburgh – Carter 64 run (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – Blackledge 1 run (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 30
Pittsburgh – Carter 10 pass from Blackledge (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 32
Denver – Kay 17 pass from Kubiak (Karlis kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 21
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 37
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 22
Denver – Kay 14 pass from Kubiak (Karlis kick)
Denver – Nattiel 74 pass from Karcher (Karlis kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 30
Week 9
1
2 3 4 Total
Steelers
10
0 0 10
20
• Jets
0
10 7 7
24
Scoring Drives:
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 25
Pittsburgh – Carter 24 pass from Brister (Anderson kick)
New York Jets – FG Leahy 41
New York Jets – Shuler 2 pass from O'Brien (Leahy kick)
New York Jets – Hector 2 run (Leahy kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 21
New York Jets – McNeil 5 run (Leahy kick)
PIttsburgh – Jackson 17 run (Anderson kick)
Week 10
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
PIT
CIN
1
12:13
Bengals
Brown 86-yard touchdown reception from Esiason , Breech kick good
0
7
1
6:25
Steelers
Brister 9-yard touchdown run, Anderson kick good
7
7
1
1:16
Bengals
McGee 5-yard touchdown reception from Esiason, Breech kick good
7
14
2
4:19
Bengals
Brooks 3-yard touchdown run, Breech kick good
7
21
3
12:28
Bengals
Brooks 2-yard touchdown run, Breech kick good
7
28
3
9:42
Bengals
Brown 6-yard touchdown reception from Esiason, Breech kick good
7
35
4
10:52
Bengals
Brooks 9-yard touchdown run, Breech kick good
7
42
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
7
42
Week 11
1
2 3 4 Total
• Eagles
0
14 3 10
27
Steelers
10
6 7 3
26
Scoring Drives:
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 52
Pittsburgh – Hoge 13 pass from Lipps (Anderson kick)
Philadelphia – Byars 1 run (Zendejas kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 21
Philadelphia – Cunningham 7 run (Zendejas kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 29
Philadelphia – FG Zendejas 34
Pittsburgh – Lipps 89 pass from Brister (Anderson kick)
Philadelphia – Cunningham 12 run (Zendejas kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 41
Philadelphia – FG Zendejas 18
Week 12
1
2 3 4 Total
Steelers
0
7 0 0
7
• Browns
3
14 7 3
27
Scoring Drives:
Cleveland – FG Bahr 32
Cleveland – Tennell 2 pass from Kosar (Bahr kick)
Cleveland – Minnifield 11 blocked punt return (Bahr kick)
Pittsburgh – Carter 1 run (Anderson kick)
Cleveland – Langhorne 77 pass from Kosar (Bahr kick)
Cleveland – FG Bahr 34
Week 13
1
2 3 4 Total
Chiefs
0
7 0 3
10
• Steelers
6
7 3 0
16
Scoring Drives:
PIttsburgh – FG Anderson 23
PIttsburgh – FG Anderson 20
Kansas City – Paige 4 pass from DeBerg (Lowery kick)
Pittsburgh – Hoge 10 run (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 22
Kansas City – FG Lowery 26
Week 14
1
2 3 4 Total
• Steelers
3
14 7 13
37
Oilers
0
13 14 7
34
Scoring Drives:
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 45
Houston – FG Zendejas 36
Pittsburgh – Stone 92 kickoff return (Anderson kick)
Houston – Rozier 6 pass from Moon (Zendejas kick)
Houston – FG Zendejas 41
Pittsburgh – Lipps 80 pass from Brister (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – 65 pass from Brister (Anderson kick)
Houston – White 90 kickoff return (Zendejas kick)
Houston – Moon 2 run (Zendejas kick)
Pittsburgh – Hoge 2 run (Anderson kick)
Houston – Moon 3 run (Zendejas kick)
PIttsburgh – Hoge 16 pass from Brister (kick failed)
Week 15
1
2 3 4 Total
Steelers
0
0 0 14
14
• Chargers
0
14 0 6
20
Scoring Drives:
San Diego – Flutie 6 pass from Malone (DeLine kick)
San Diego – Malone 1 run (DeLine kick)
San Diego – FG DeLine 24
Pittsburgh – Gothard 3 pass from Brister (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – Brister 3 run (Anderson kick)
San Diego – FG DeLine 42
Week 16
1
2 3 4 Total
Dolphins
10
7 0 7
24
• Steelers
7
13 7 13
40
Scoring Drives:
Pittsburgh – Woodruff 78 interception return (Anderson kick)
Miami – Hampton 4 run (Reveiz kick)
Miami – FG Reveiz 20
Pittsburgh – Lipps 39 run (Anderson kick)
Miami – Hampton 1 run (Reveiz kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 34
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 43
Pittsburgh – Carter 1 run (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 34
Pittsburgh – Jordan 28 interception return (Anderson kick)
Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 22
Miami – Clayton 13 pass from Jaworski (Reveiz kick)
Standings
References
^ 1988 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide .
^ 1988 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide .
^ 1989 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide .
^ "1988 Pittsburgh Steelers" . Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved 2014-12-23 .
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