1987 Denver Dynamite season

Last updated
1987 Denver Dynamite season
OwnerSidney Shlenker
Head coach Tim Marcum
Home field McNichols Sports Arena
Results
Record4–2
Division place1st
Playoff finishWon ArenaBowl I (Gladiators) 45–16

The 1987 Denver Dynamite season was the first season for the Denver Dynamite. Businessman and owner of the Denver Nuggets, Sidney Shlenker announced the forming of the Denver Dynamite. [1] The franchise played in the inaugural four-team "demonstration" season of 1987. [1] Despite the team and league's doubters, [2] the Dynamite tied for the best record in the league with the Pittsburgh Gladiators, going 4–2. On August 1, 1987, the team participated in ArenaBowl I, which they won 45–16 over the Gladiators. [1] The Dynamite were led on offense by quarterback Whit Taylor, [3] and wide receiver Gary Mullen (Mullen won ArenaBowl I MVP). [1] [4] After winning the ArenaBowl, Head Coach Tim Marcum was named the league's first ever Coach of the Year. [1] After leading the Dynamite to the Despite averaging the league's best attendance with over 12,000 a game, [1] it did not return for the league's second season due to Shlenker refusing to abide by the AFL's financial rules. [1]

Contents

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultsGame site
Final scoreTeam record
1June 20at Chicago Bruisers W 52–44 (OT)1–0 Rosemont Horizon
2June 27at Washington Commandos L 20–361–1 Capital Centre
3July 3 Washington Commandos W 73–572–1 McNichols Sports Arena
4July 11 Pittsburgh Gladiators L 32–492–2 McNichols Sports Arena
5July 17at Pittsburgh Gladiators W 32–313–2 Civic Arena
6July 24 Chicago Bruisers W 52–354–2 McNichols Sports Arena

Standings

TeamWLTPCTPFPAPF (Avg.)PA (Avg.)STK
y-Pittsburgh Gladiators 420.66726819944.633.1L 2
x-Denver Dynamite 420.66726125243.542W 2
Washington Commandos 240.3332882734845.5W 1
Chicago Bruisers 240.33321731036.151.6L 1

y – clinched regular-season title

x – clinched playoff spot

Playoffs

RoundDateOpponentResultsGame site
Final scoreTeam record
ArenaBowl I August 1at Pittsburgh Gladiators W 45–161–0 Civic Arena

Roster

1987 Denver Dynamite roster
Quarterbacks

Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs

Running Backs/Linebackers

Offensive Linemen/Defensive Linemen

Wide Receivers/Linebackers

Kickers

Rookies in italics
Roster updated February 1, 2013
22 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 PS

More rosters

Stats

Offense

Quarterback

PlayerComp.Att.Comp%YardsTD'sINT'sRating
Whit Taylor 7613855.1105021893.6
Stuart Mitchell 307440.54197271.8
Marty Mornhinweg 3475300095.8

Running backs

PlayerCar.YardsTD's
Chris Brewer 12561
Durell Taylor 8390
Stuart Mitchell 13343
Whit Taylor 11231
Richard Prather 6232
Marty Mornhinweg 190
Steve Trimble 1−30

Wide receivers

PlayerRec.YardsTD's
Gary Mullen 2650211
Durell Taylor 252836
Chris Brewer 212554
Steve Trimble 203405
Richard Prather 8651
Richard Rodgers 7491
William Cotman 170
Whit Taylor 1−20

Defense

PlayerTacklesSoloAssistedSackINTYardsTD's
William Cotman 26.524501100
Keith Smith 232225000
Gary Mullen 2120202230
Steve Trimble 191740100
Richard Prather 161520000
Rob DeVita 12.5976000
Clyde Skipper 1212002100
Chris Brewer 12960000
Kelly Kirchbaum 11940000
Chuck Harris 9663000
Patrick Cain 7703000
Richard Rodgers 6.55302230
Larry Friday 6.5610000
Jon Norris 5422000
Phil Forte 3301000
Durell Taylor 2200000
Lazlo Mike-Mayer 2200000
Marco Morales 1100000

Special teams

Kick return

PlayerRetYardsTD's
Durell Taylor 285160
Chris Brewer 7850
Steve Trimble 4180
Gary Mullen 2180
William Cotman 1300
Phil Forte 150
Clyde Skipper 100
Kelly Kirchbaum 000

Kicking

PlayerFGM4pgFGAPct.XPM2ptXPAPct.Pts.
Marco Morales 201216.71101861.117
Lazlo Mike-Mayer 0080.0801172.78
Marty Coyne 0020.000500

Awards

PositionPlayerAwardAll-Arena team
Head Coach Tim Marcum Coach of the Year
Fullback/Linebacker Chris Brewer none1st
Wide Receiver/Defensive Back Gary Mullen none1st
Quarterback Whit Taylor none2nd
Fullback/Linebacker Durell Taylor none2nd
Offensive/Defensive Lineman Patrick Cain none2nd
Offensive/Defensive Lineman Kelly Kirchbaum none2nd

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Joey Bunch (October 22, 2012). "Denver Dynamite exploded in Arena League's first season, then fizzled out". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  2. Buddy Martin (June 20, 1987). "Arena football: Try to avoid the temptation". Star-News. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  3. Brent Wiseman (December 2, 2003). "Whit Taylor to be honored as "SEC Legend"". www.vanderbilt.scout.com. MSN. Archived from the original on 2012-03-03. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  4. "Arena Football League Championship : Taylor Leads Dynamite, 45–16". Los Angeles Times. August 2, 1987. Retrieved February 1, 2013.