1991 Pittsburgh Steelers season

Last updated

1991 Pittsburgh Steelers season
Owner The Rooney family
General manager Tom Donahoe
Head coach Chuck Noll
Home stadium Three Rivers Stadium
Results
Record7–9
Division place2nd AFC Central
PlayoffsDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers
All-Pros None
Team MVPGreg Lloyd
Team ROY Adrian Cooper

The 1991 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 59th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL).

Contents

The Steelers struggled early as Neil O'Donnell took over from Bubby Brister at quarterback. The Steelers ended the season winning their last two games, 17–10, over the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns at Three Rivers Stadium to finish with a 7–9 record. Following the season Chuck Noll announced his retirement, ending his 23-year career in which he won four Super Bowls while posting an overall record of 209–156–1.

Offseason

NFL draft

1991 Pittsburgh Steelers draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
117 Huey Richardson   Defensive end Florida
246 Jeff Graham   Wide receiver Ohio State
373 Ernie Mills  Wide receiverFlorida
488 Sammy Walker   Cornerback Texas Tech
4103 Adrian Cooper   Tight end Oklahoma
6158 Leroy Thompson   Running back Penn State
7185 Andre Jones   Linebacker Notre Dame
8212 Dean Dingman   Guard Michigan
9238 Bruce McGonnigal  Tight end Virginia
10269 Ariel Solomon   Tackle Colorado
11296Efrum Thomas  Defensive back Alabama
12323 Jeff Brady  Linebacker Kentucky
      Made roster  

Staff

1991 Pittsburgh Steelers staff

Front office

  • President – Daniel M. Rooney
  • Vice president – John R. McGinley
  • Vice president – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr.
  • Director of communications – Joe Gordon
  • Controller – Dan McGrogan
  • Assistant controller - business – Dan Ferens
  • Public relations director – Dan Edwards
  • Community relations coordinator – Ron Miller
  • Ticket sales manager – Geraldine Glenn
  • Assistant controller - office – Jim Ellenberger
  • Director of player personnel – Dick Haley
  • Director of football development – Tom Donahoe
  • Football business manager – James A. Boston
  • College scouting coordinator – Tom Modrak
  • Talent scout – Bob Schmitz
  • Talent scout – Max McCartney
  • Talent scout – Charles Bailey
  • Talent scout – Bob Lane

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Conditioning coach – Jon Kolb
  • Dentist – Dr. George P. Boucek
  • Ophthalmologist – Dr. Phillip Buzzelli
  • Physician, orthopedic – Dr. Thomas W. Cowan
  • 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
  • Administrative trainer - Ralph Berlin
  • Head trainer – John Norwig
  • Equipment manager – Anthony Parisi
  • Field manager – Rodgers Freyvogel
  • Video & film director – Bob McCartney
  • Video assistant – Pat Dolan
  • Photographers – Mike Fabus, Bill Amatucci

[1]

Notable additions include Adrian Cooper, Neil O'Donnell and Ernie Mills.

Roster

1991 Pittsburgh Steelers 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 (ST)

Practice squad

[2] [3] [4] Reserve

Rookies in italics
47 active, 9 reserve, 3 practice squad

Preseason

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenue
1August 4 Washington Redskins W 16–71–0 Three Rivers Stadium
2August 10at Minnesota Vikings L 24–341–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
3August 17at Philadelphia Eagles L 20–211–2 Veterans Stadium
4August 23at Detroit Lions W 16–32–2 Pontiac Silverdome

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenue
1September 1 San Diego Chargers W 26–201–0 Three Rivers Stadium
2September 8at Buffalo Bills L 34–521–1 Rich Stadium
3September 15 New England Patriots W 20–62–1Three Rivers Stadium
4September 22at Philadelphia Eagles L 14–232–2 Veterans Stadium
5 Bye
6October 6at Indianapolis Colts W 21–33–2 Hoosier Dome
7October 14 New York Giants L 20–233–3Three Rivers Stadium
8October 20 Seattle Seahawks L 7–273–4Three Rivers Stadium
9October 27at Cleveland Browns L 14–173–5 Cleveland Municipal Stadium
10November 3at Denver Broncos L 13–203–6 Mile High Stadium
11November 10at Cincinnati Bengals W 33–274–6 Riverfront Stadium
12November 17 Washington Redskins L 14–414–7Three Rivers Stadium
13November 24 Houston Oilers W 26–145–7Three Rivers Stadium
14 November 28 at Dallas Cowboys L 10–205–8 Texas Stadium
15December 8at Houston Oilers L 6–315–9 Astrodome
16December 15 Cincinnati Bengals W 17–106–9Three Rivers Stadium
17December 22 Cleveland Browns W 17–107–9Three Rivers Stadium
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday September 1, 1991): vs. San Diego Chargers

1234Total
Chargers0301720
Steelers3761026

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 4:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather:80 °F (27 °C) (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 55,848
  • Referee: Gerald Austin
  • TV announcers: (NBC) Joel Meyers (play by play), Dan Hampton (color commentator)

Scoring drives:

  • Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 38
  • San Diego – FG Carney 48
  • Pittsburgh – Calloway 33 pass from Brister (Anderson kick)
  • Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 29
  • Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 31
  • Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 39
  • San Diego – Lewis 11 pass from Bernstine (Carney kick)
  • San Diego – FG Carney 35
  • Pittsburgh – Stone 89 pass from O'Donnell (Anderson kick)
  • San Diego – Jefferson 5 pass from Friesz (Carney kick)


Week 2 (Sunday September 8, 1991): at Buffalo Bills

1234Total
Steelers01017734
Bills101472152

at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather:84 °F (29 °C) (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 79,545
  • Referee: Tom Dooley
  • TV announcers: (NBC) Tom Hammond (play by play), Joe Namath (color commentator)

Scoring drives:


Week 3 (Sunday September 15, 1991): vs. New England Patriots

1234Total
Patriots06006
Steelers3301420

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather:86 °F (30 °C) (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 53,703
  • Referee: Johnny Grier
  • TV announcers: (NBC) Joel Meyers (play by play), Dan Hampton (color commentator)

Scoring drives:

  • Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 49
  • New England – FG Staurovsky 33
  • New England – FG Staurovsky 28
  • Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 32
  • Pittsburgh – Green 32 pass from Brister (Anderson kick)
  • Pittsburgh – Mills recovered blocked punt in end zone (Anderson kick)


Week 4 (Sunday September 22, 1991): at Philadelphia Eagles

1234Total
Steelers1400014
Eagles767323

at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather:66 °F (19 °C) (Mostly Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 65,511
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar
  • TV announcers: (NBC) Marv Albert (play by play), Bill Parcells (color commentator)

Scoring drives:

  • Pittsburgh – Hoge 12 pass from Brister (Anderson kick)
  • Philadelphia – McMahon 1 run (Ruzek kick)
  • Pittsburgh – Green 8 pass from Brister (Anderson kick)
  • Philadelphia – FG Ruzek 27
  • Philadelphia – FG Ruzek 34
  • Philadelphia – Drummond 2 run (Ruzek kick)
  • Philadelphia – FG Ruzek 20

With their 5th loss to the Eagles on the road since 1965, the Steelers entered their bye week at 2-2.


Week 5 (Sunday September 29, 1991): Bye Week


Week 6 (Sunday October 6, 1991): at Indianapolis Colts

1234Total
Steelers0071421
Colts03003

at Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Game time: 8:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: Dome
  • Game attendance: 55,383
  • Referee: Larry Nemmers
  • TV announcers: (TNT) Skip Caray (play by play), Pat Haden (color commentator)

Scoring drives:


Week 7 (Monday October 14, 1991): vs. New York Giants

1234Total
Giants767323
Steelers0031720

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Scoring drives:

  • New York Giants – Cross 12 pass from Hostetler (Bahr kick)
  • New York Giants – FG Bahr 45
  • New York Giants – FG Bahr 40
  • New York Giants – Meggett 30 run (Bahr kick)
  • Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 26
  • Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 39
  • Pittsburgh – Lipps 16 pass from O'Donnell (Anderson kick)
  • Pittsburgh – Green 5 pass from O'Donnell (Anderson kick)
  • New York Giants – FG Bahr 44


Week 8 (Sunday October 20, 1991): vs. Seattle Seahawks

1234Total
Seahawks3143727
Steelers00707

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather:47 °F (8 °C) (Partly Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 54,678
  • Referee: Gordon McCarter
  • TV announcers: (NBC) Mel Proctor (play by play), Joe Namath (color commentator)

Scoring drives:


Week 9 (Sunday October 27, 1991): at Cleveland Browns

1234Total
Steelers070714
Browns377017

at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Game time: 4:00 PM EST
  • Game weather:
  • Game attendance: 78,285
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers: (NBC) Don Criqui (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)

Scoring drives:


Week 10 (Sunday November 3, 1991): at Denver Broncos

1234Total
Steelers370313
Broncos0173020

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

  • Game time: 8:00 PM EST
  • Game weather:16 °F (−9 °C), wind 8 mph (13 km/h) mph
  • Game attendance: 70,973
  • Referee: Dale Hamer
  • TV announcers: (ESPN) Mike Patrick (play by play), Joe Theismann (color commentator)

Scoring drives:


Week 11 (Sunday November 10, 1991): at Cincinnati Bengals

1234OTTotal
Steelers06714633
Bengals107010027

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Scoring drives:


Week 12 (Sunday November 17, 1991): vs. Washington Redskins

1234Total
Redskins710101441
Steelers0001414

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 1:00 PM EST
  • Game weather:47 °F (8 °C) (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 56,813
  • Referee: Tom White
  • TV announcers: (CBS) Dick Stockton (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)

Scoring drives:


Week 13 (Sunday November 24, 1991): vs. Houston Oilers

1234Total
Oilers070714
Steelers6107326

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 1:00 PM EST
  • Game weather:34 °F (1 °C) (Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 45,795
  • Referee: Howard Roe
  • TV announcers: (NBC) Don Criqui (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)

Scoring drives:

  • Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 20
  • Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 28
  • Houston – Givins 10 pass from Moon (Del Greco kick)
  • Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 33
  • Pittsburgh – Stone 43 pass from O'Donnell (Anderson kick)
  • Pittsburgh – W. Williams 1 run (Anderson kick)
  • Houston – Jeffries 15 pass from Moon (Del Greco kick)
  • Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 24


Week 14 (Thursday November 28, 1991): at Dallas Cowboys

1234Total
Steelers003710
Cowboys7301020

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

Scoring drives:

  • Dallas – E. Smith 6 run (Willis kick)
  • Dallas – FG Willis 19
  • Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 42
  • Dallas – FG Willis 43
  • Pittsburgh – W. Williams 3 run (Anderson kick)
  • Dallas – Irvin 66 pass from Beuerlein (Willis kick)


Week 15 (Sunday December 8, 1991): at Houston Oilers

1234Total
Steelers03306
Oilers7371431

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Scoring drives:

  • Houston – Pinkett 7 run (Del Greco kick)
  • Houston – FG Del Greco 24
  • Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 54
  • Houston – Jeffires 16 pass from Moon (Del Greco kick)
  • Pittsburgh – FG Anderson 36
  • Houston – Pinkett 11 run (Del Greco kick)
  • Houston – A. Smith 70 fumble return (Del Greco kick)


Week 16 vs Bengals

Week Sixteen: Cincinnati Bengals (2–12) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5–9)
Quarter1234Total
Bengals 073010
Steelers 1000717

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Game information

Week 17 vs Browns

Week Seventeen: Cleveland Browns (6–9) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6–9)
Quarter1234Total
Browns 030710
Steelers 307717

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Game information

Chuck Noll's final game as head coach

Standings

AFC Central
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(3) Houston Oilers 1150.6885–110–2386251L1
Pittsburgh Steelers 790.4384–27–5292344W2
Cleveland Browns 6100.3752–46–6293298L3
Cincinnati Bengals 3130.1881–52–10263435W1

References

  1. 1991 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
  2. 1991 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
  3. 1992 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
  4. "1991 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 24, 2014.