1987
Massive changes.
We have a completely new coaching staff.
Head Coach Dwight Ford (Dallas assistant coach 1976-1986)
Offensive Coordinator Levon Loudon (Tampa Bay head coach 1984-1986)
Defensive Coordinator Richard Marsh (Seattle assistant coach 1976-1986)
Assistant Coach Thurman Wilde (no previous NFL experience)
Strength Coordinator Derrick Oliver (Atlanta strength coordinator 1979-1984)
Rod Gonzalez joins the Oakland Raiders as offensive coordinator.
Gino Crane is the new Dallas Cowboys assistant coach, and a head coach candidate for 1988.
Junior Nutter is taking a sabbatical during 1987.
We trade away Joe Montana. He is now a Ram. We get their 1987 first rounder (17th overall) in return.
In free agency, defensive tackle Wilson Whitley departs for Seattle. We get Giants quarterback Wade Wilson, who went undrafted in 1981, on a four year contract. Also signing are guard John Scully (Cincinnati) and safety Michael Downs (Denver).
1.01 - Miami Dolphins - RB Bo Jackson (59/72)
1.02 - London Monarchs - SE Cris Carter (46/63)
1.03 - Oakland Raiders - RT Harris Barton (38/74)
1.04 - Green Bay Packers - QB Steve Beuerlein (19/55)
1.05 - San Diego Chargers - LDT Dan Saleaumula (44/74)
1.06 - Mexico City Aztecs - LCB Rod Woodson (36/63)
1.07 - Houston Oilers - RT Howard Ballard (43/78)
1.08 - Buffalo Bills - SE Perry Kemp (44/67)
1.09 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - SLB Greg Lloyd (44/62)
1.10 - Denver Broncos - MLB Dave Wyman (39/64)
1.17 - London Monarchs - SLB Randy Kirk (34/48)
2.01 - London Monarchs - RCB Brian Davis (26/45)
Late free agency is a barren wasteland as usual, so fast forward to the season proper.
First game in the Ford-Wilson era is a thumping 41-13 win over Barcelona! We'll take that! Fast forward to Week 11, they get revenge in a one-point squeaker. We sit 3-7 at the bottom of the AFC South and they're back in playoff contention. Most of our losses this year have been by the barest of margins. If only we could convert some of these closer games into wins, we'd be back in the mix.
Regardless, 1987 is the first season in four years that we improve our win tally from the year before.
Not a bad way to start the rebuild.
AFC Championship Game
Pittsburgh Steelers 20
New York Jets 17
NFC Championship Game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16
San Francisco 49ers 10
Super Bowl XXII
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30
Pittsburgh Steelers 10
NFL Awards
MVP - Jim McMahon (Pittsburgh Steelers QB)
Super Bowl MVP - Ricky Reynolds (Tampa Bay Buccaneers RCB)
Offensive Player of the Year - Jim McMahon (Pittsburgh Steelers QB)
Defensive Player of the Year - William Gay (Minnesota Vikings LDE)
Offensive Rookie of the Year - John Settle (Kansas City Chiefs RB)
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Ricky Reynolds (Tampa Bay Buccaneers RCB)
Four Monarchs got All-League honours.
First Team DT - Alvin Wright
First Team ILB - Karl Mecklenberg
Second Team RB - Joe Delaney
Second Team S - Michael Downs