1972 Baltimore Colts season

Last updated

1972 Baltimore Colts season
Owner Robert Irsay
General manager Joe Thomas
Head coach Don McCafferty (1–4)
John Sandusky (4–5)
(interim)
Home field Memorial Stadium
Results
Record5–9
Division place3rd AFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers C Bill Curry
LB Ted Hendricks
KR Bruce Laird

The 1972 Baltimore Colts season was the 20th season for the team in the National Football League. They finished with 5 wins and 9 losses, third in the AFC East.

Contents

Robert Irsay, who had recently taken over the Los Angeles Rams, traded ownership of the NFL franchises with Colts' owner Carroll Rosenbloom, with players and coaching staffs remaining intact. [1] [2] [3] Rosenbloom had previously wanted to move the Colts to Tampa, but was turned down by the league. [4]

However, the Colts were getting older and started 1–4 before third-year head coach Don McCafferty was fired by new general manager Joe Thomas. [5] [6] [7] [8] In their final nine games under interim head coach John Sandusky, Baltimore won four to finish at 5–9, [9] their first losing mark in sixteen seasons. The entire coaching staff was let go after the season concluded. [10] [11] [12]

Offseason

NFL draft

1972 Baltimore Colts draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
122 Tom Drougas   Offensive tackle Oregon
246 Jack Mildren   Quarterback Oklahoma
247 Glenn Doughty   Wide receiver Michigan
248 Lydell Mitchell  *  Running back Penn State
4104 Eric Allen   Wide receiver Michigan State Played for the Toronto Argonauts from 1972 to 1975
5115 Don Croft   Defensive tackle UTEP
6152 Bruce Laird  *  Safety American International
7169 John Sykes   Running back Morgan State
8191Al Qualls  Linebacker Oklahoma
8204Van Brownson  Quarterback Nebraska
9215Gary Hambell  Defensive tackle Dayton
10256Dave Shilling  Running back Oregon State
11282 Fred DeBernardi   Defensive end UTEP
12308Gary Theiler  Tight end Tennessee
13334 Herb Washington   Wide receiver Michigan State
14359John Morris  Center Missouri Valley
15386Robin Parkhouse  Linebacker Alabama
16412 Gary Wichard   Quarterback C.W. Post
17438 Stan White   Linebacker Ohio State
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[14]

Personnel

Staff/coaches

1972 Baltimore Colts staff
Front office

Coaching staff

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Roster

1972 Baltimore Colts roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

 Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

 Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams


Rookies in italics

Regular season

The season began ominously for the Colts when they were defeated at home on opening day by the St. Louis Cardinals and their journeyman quarterback, Tim Van Galder. In week two, Johnny Unitas threw for 376 yards and three touchdowns, but it was far from enough as Joe Namath threw for 496 yards and six touchdowns to power the New York Jets to a 44–34 victory at Memorial Stadium, the Jets' first victory over the Colts since Super Bowl III.

In October, the Colts' season reached its nadir when it was shut out twice at home in a three-week stretch by the Dallas Cowboys, who undoubtedly wanted revenge for their loss to Baltimore in Super Bowl V, and the Miami Dolphins, who were on their way to a 17–0 season and their first Super Bowl championship under former Colts coach Don Shula.

Unitas, age 39, made his final appearance in Baltimore in the fourth quarter of a 35–7 victory over Buffalo on December 3, and threw a 63-yard completion for his 287th career touchdown pass. [15] [16] Two weeks later, he played his final game as a Colt, with a completion and an interception. [9]

For the third consecutive year, the Colts played their season finale at the Orange Bowl in Miami. Only this time, it was not in the postseason, but a humbling 16–0 shutout to the Dolphins in Week 14 in a game which was nowhere near as close as the final score. [9] Baltimore ended the 1970 season with a win over the Cowboys in Super Bowl V, and ended the 1971 season with a loss to the Dolphins in the AFC Championship game.

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendanceRecap
1September 17 St. Louis Cardinals L 3–100–1 Memorial Stadium 53,562 Recap
2September 24 New York Jets L 34–440–2Memorial Stadium56,626 Recap
3October 1at Buffalo Bills W 17–01–2 War Memorial Stadium 46,206 Recap
4October 8 San Diego Chargers L 20–231–3Memorial Stadium55,459 Recap
5October 15 Dallas Cowboys L 0–211–4Memorial Stadium58,992 Recap
6October 22at New York Jets L 20–241–5 Shea Stadium 62,948 Recap
7October 29 Miami Dolphins L 0–231–6Memorial Stadium60,000 Recap
8November 6at New England Patriots W 24–172–6 Schaefer Stadium 60,999 Recap
9November 12at San Francisco 49ers L 21–242–7 Candlestick Park 61,214 Recap
10November 19at Cincinnati Bengals W 20–193–7 Riverfront Stadium 49,512 Recap
11November 26 New England Patriots W 31–04–7Memorial Stadium54,907 Recap
12December 3 Buffalo Bills W 35–75–7Memorial Stadium55,390 Recap
13December 10at Kansas City Chiefs L 10–245–8 Arrowhead Stadium 44,175 Recap
14December 16at Miami Dolphins L 0–165–9 Orange Bowl 80,010 Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

AFC East
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
Miami Dolphins 14001.0008–011–0385171W14
New York Jets 770.5006–26–5367324L2
Baltimore Colts 590.3574–45–6235252L2
Buffalo Bills 491.3212–62–9257377W1
New England Patriots 3110.2140–80–11192446L1

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indianapolis Colts</span> National Football League franchise in Indiana

The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. The Colts compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) South division. Since the 2008 season, the Colts have played their games in Lucas Oil Stadium. Previously, the team had played for over two decades (1984–2007) at the RCA Dome. Since 1987, the Colts have served as the host team for the NFL Scouting Combine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Unitas</span> American football player (1933–2002)

John Constantine Unitas was an American professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons, primarily with the Baltimore Colts. Nicknamed "Johnny U" and "the Golden Arm", Unitas was considered the prototype of the modern era marquee quarterback and is regarded as one of the greatest NFL players of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Shula</span> American football player and coach (1930–2020)

Donald Francis Shula was an American professional football player, coach and executive who served as a head coach in the National Football League (NFL) from 1963 to 1995. He played seven seasons as a defensive back in the NFL. For most of his career, Shula was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

The 1972 NFL season was the 53rd regular season of the National Football League. The Miami Dolphins became the first NFL team to finish a championship season undefeated and untied when they beat the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII. The Dolphins not only led the NFL in points scored, while their defense led the league in fewest points allowed, the roster also featured two running backs who gained 1,000 rushing yards in the same season.

The 1958 NFL Championship Game was the 26th NFL championship game, played on December 28 at Yankee Stadium in New York City. It was the first NFL playoff game to be decided in sudden death overtime. The Baltimore Colts defeated the New York Giants 23–17 in what soon became widely known as "the Greatest Game Ever Played". Its legendary status in the pantheon of historic NFL games was again confirmed by a nationwide poll of 66 media members in 2019, who voted it the best game in the league's first 100 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carroll Rosenbloom</span> American football player, owner (1907–1979)

Dale Carroll Rosenbloom was an American businessman. He was the owner of two National Football League (NFL) franchises: he was the first owner of the Baltimore Colts and later switched teams, taking ownership of the Los Angeles Rams in 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl Morrall</span> American football player (1934–2014)

Earl Edwin Morrall was an American professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for 21 seasons, both a starter and reserve. He was the last remaining player from the 1950s still active in NFL football. He started for six teams, most notably with the Baltimore Colts and the Miami Dolphins. He became known as one of the greatest backup quarterbacks in NFL history, having served in the capacity for two Hall of Fame quarterbacks in Johnny Unitas and Bob Griese. An injury to Unitas in 1968 saw Morrall step in to start the season that saw the Colts to a 13–1 record that saw them win their first NFL Championship in nine years before ineffective play in Super Bowl III saw him benched for Unitas. Two years later, in Super Bowl V, Morrall came off the bench for an injured Unitas and kept the Colts in the game before they ultimately won on a last-second field goal. In his first season with Miami in 1972, he came off the bench when Griese became injured early in the year, with Morrall winning all nine starts; Morrall started the first two playoff games, with Griese playing in each game before being named the starter for Super Bowl VII, where the Dolphins completed the only perfect season in NFL history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Curry</span> American football player (born 1942)

William Alexander Curry is an American former football player and coach. He played professionally as a center in the National Football League (NFL). He later became a college football head coach.

Donald William McCafferty was an American football player and coach who, in his first year as head coach of the Baltimore Colts, led the team to a victory in Super Bowl V, and became the first rookie head coach to win the Super Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roy Jefferson</span> American football player (born 1943)

Roy Lee Jefferson is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts, and Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Utah Utes. During 162 regular season games in the NFL, he had 451 receptions for 7,539 yards and 52 touchdowns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Sandusky</span> American football player and coach (1925–2006)

John Thomas "Sandy" Sandusky, Jr. was an American football player and coach. He played seven seasons as an offensive and defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1950s for the Cleveland Browns and the Green Bay Packers before starting a 36-year career as an assistant coach. He was head coach of the Baltimore Colts for part of the 1972 season.

The 1972 Los Angeles Rams season was the team's 35th year with the National Football League and the 27th season in Los Angeles. The Rams looked to improve on their 8–5–1 record from 1971 and make the playoffs for the first time since 1969. After a win against the New Orleans Saints at home, the Rams tied the Chicago Bears, 13–13, their third straight season with a tie. This was followed by an embarrassing loss to the Atlanta Falcons, 31–3. However, the Rams would then pick up their winning ways, beating the San Francisco 49ers 31–7 at home, the Philadelphia Eagles 34–3 in Philly, and the Cincinnati Bengals 15–12 at home. However, following this three-game winning streak, the Rams struggled, losing several close games, including an embarrassing 19-16 setback to the woeful New Orleans Saints, as they lost five of their last six to end the season 6–7–1. This was the last time the Rams missed the playoffs until 1981, as they started a dynasty the next season that won the NFC West seven consecutive times, from 1973–1979. They also finished in second place in 1980.

The 1977 Baltimore Colts season was the 25th season for the team in the National Football League (NFL). Led by third-year head coach Ted Marchibroda, the Colts finished with 10 wins and 4 losses, tied for first in the AFC East division with the Miami Dolphins. The Colts had the tiebreaker over Miami based on better conference record, and the Dolphins missed the playoffs.p

The 1976 Baltimore Colts season was the 24th season for the team in the National Football League. Led by second-year head coach Ted Marchibroda, the Colts finished with a record of 11 wins and 3 losses, tied for first in the AFC East division with the New England Patriots. Baltimore won the AFC East title based on a better division record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1971 Baltimore Colts season</span> 19th season in franchise history; final one under ownership of Carroll Rosenbloom

The 1971 Baltimore Colts season was the 19th season for the team in the National Football League. Led by second-year head coach Don McCafferty, the Colts appeared to be on the verge of winning the AFC East again after beating the Miami Dolphins 14–3 in the penultimate game of the regular season. However, the Colts lost the final game of the season at home to the New England Patriots, dropping them to 10–4 and the wild card berth. They lost to the Dolphins in the AFC Championship game. The Baltimore defense gave up a total of 140 points for 14 regular season games, an average of ten points a game. In their four defeats, they lost by a combined total of 15 points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1970 Baltimore Colts season</span> 18th season in franchise history; first in the AFC East and first Super Bowl win

The 1970 Baltimore Colts season was the 18th season of the second Colts franchise in the National Football League (NFL). Led by first-year head coach Don McCafferty, the Colts finished the 1970 season with a regular season record of 11 wins, 2 losses, and 1 tie to win the first AFC East title. The Colts completed the postseason in Miami with a victory over the Cowboys in Super Bowl V, their first Super Bowl title and fourth NFL championship.

The 1969 Baltimore Colts season was the 17th season for the team in the National Football League. The Colts finished the National Football League's 1969 season with a record of 8 wins, 5 losses and 1 tie. Led by seventh-year head coach Don Shula, Baltimore finished second in the Western Conference's Coastal division, well behind the Los Angeles Rams (11–3).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Thomas (American football executive)</span> American football executive (1921–1983)

Joseph Henry Thomas was a National Football League (NFL) general manager and also served as the head coach of the Baltimore Colts for part of the 1974 season.

The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the South Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The organization began play in 1953 as the Baltimore Colts with the team located in Baltimore, Maryland; it relocated to Indianapolis following the 1983 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baltimore Colts</span> Professional American football team in Baltimore, Maryland, from 1953 to 1983

The Baltimore Colts were a professional American football team that played in Baltimore from 1953 to 1983, when owner Robert Irsay moved the franchise to Indianapolis. The team was named for Baltimore's history of horse breeding and racing. It was the second incarnation of the Baltimore Colts, the first having played for three years in the All-America Football Conference and one in the National Football League (NFL). This Baltimore Colts played their home games at Memorial Stadium.

References

  1. 1 2 "Colts owner trades club for Rams". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. July 14, 1972. p. 1, part 2.[ permanent dead link ]
  2. 1 2 "Colts' owner now sole owner of Rams". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). UPI. July 14, 1972. p. 12.
  3. 1 2 Maule, Tex (August 14, 1972). "Nay on the neighs, yea on the baas". Sports Illustrated. p. 67.
  4. ↑ Snyder, Cameron C. (February 17, 1976). "Viking Talks in N.Y. Do Not Surprise Thomas". The Baltimore Sun . p. C7.
  5. ↑ "Colts pick Sandusky as coach". Milwaukee Sentinel . Associated Press. October 17, 1972. p. 2, part 2.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ "Colt players meet secretly on McCafferty dismissal". Milwaukee Journal. press dispatches. October 17, 1972. p. 16, part 2.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. ↑ "Curry criticizes McCafferty firing". Free Lance-Star. (Fredericksburg, Virginia). Associated Press. October 17, 1972. p. 6.
  8. ↑ "Colts players unhappy; rap coach's firing". Youngstown Vindicator. (Ohio). Associated Press. October 18, 1972. p. 36.
  9. 1 2 3 "Miami succeeds, but Morris fails". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. December 17, 1972. p. 2D.
  10. ↑ "Thomas fires entire Colt coaching staff". Bangor Daily News. (Maine). UPI. December 21, 1972. p. 26.
  11. ↑ "Coach Sandusky ousted by Colts". Nashua Telegraph. (New Hampshire). Associated Press. December 21, 1972. p. 23.
  12. ↑ "Mass firing starts Colt housecleaning". Free Lance-Star. (Fredericksburg, Virginia). Associated Press. December 21, 1972. p. 8.
  13. ↑ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book. New York City: Workman Publishing Co. p. 283. ISBN   0-7611-2480-2.
  14. ↑ "1972 Baltimore Colts Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Domres stars as Colts whip Bills". Milwaukee Sentinel. UPI. December 4, 1972. p. 3, part 2.
  16. ↑ "287th TD pass". Reading Eagle. (Pennsylvania). (AP wirephoto). December 4, 1972. p. 25.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.