1970 Pittsburgh Steelers season
1970 Pittsburgh Steelers season | |
---|---|
Owner | AFC Central |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | 2
|
AP All-Pros | None |
Team MVP | Joe Greene |
The 1970 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 38th in the National Football League. They improved from a league-worst 1–13 record the previous year, finishing with a 5-9 record and third place in the newly formed AFC Central. The Steelers began the decade in a new conference and a new stadium with a new quarterback. After nearly 40 years in the NFL they shifted to the AFC, to complete the merger between the NFL and AFL. It was the NFL's weakest division that season, as the Steelers finished three games in front of the second place Cincinnati Bengals—a team that was only in its third year of existence that season.
Offseason
Coach Chuck Noll's reshaping of the squad from the year before continued for 1970.
Undoubtedly the greatest change that took place was Chuck Noll's trade of the team's lone superstar, Roy Jefferson. Although Jefferson was among the league leaders in receiving in 1968 and 1969, despite playing for the worst team in football with mediocre quarterbacks, he was sent packing after being publicly vocal in criticizing team management.[1] The trade sent Jefferson to Baltimore, where he earned a Super Bowl ring. Years later, Jefferson pinpointed what he had done to get traded.
"I was [in Baltimore] to make a statement. I wanted to show Pittsburgh they'd made a mistake in getting rid of me. I mean, I wasn't a 'yes' man for coach Chuck Noll. If you cursed me, I cursed you back. I messed over the curfew rules a lot and, in training camp, I'd park my car in the coaches' spaces."[2]
Hence, 1970 brought change with Ron Shanklin emerging as a steady receiver for the next few years until John Stallworth and Lynn Swann joined the team in 1974.[3][4]
As a result of the
Another change came in
1970 Pittsburgh Steelers draft | |||||
Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Terry Bradshaw * † | QB | Louisiana Tech | |
2 | 28 | Ron Shanklin *
|
WR | North Texas | |
3 | 53 | Mel Blount * † | CB | Southern | |
4 | 80 | Ed George | T
|
Wake Forest | |
5 | 105 | Jon Staggers | DB | Missouri | |
6 | 132 | Manuel Barrera | LB | Kansas State | |
6 | 155 | Clarence Kegler | T
|
South Carolina State | |
7 | 157 | Terry Brennan | T
|
Notre Dame | |
8 | 184 | Dave Smith | WR | Indiana (Pa.) | |
9 | 209 | Carl Crennel | LB | West Virginia | |
10 | 236 | Isaiah Brown | DB | Stanford | |
11 | 261 | Calvin Hunt | C
|
Baylor | |
12 | 288 | Rick Sharp | DT | Washington (St. Louis) | |
13 | 313 | Billy Main | RB | Oregon State | |
14 | 340 | Bert Askson | LB | Texas Southern | |
15 | 365 | Glen Keppy | DT | Wisconsin–Platteville | |
16 | 392 | Frank Yanossy | DT | Tennessee | |
17 | 417 | Harry Key | TE | Mississippi Valley State | |
Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career |
In the 1970 NFL Draft, only two Hall of Famers were selected in all 17 Rounds and 442 Picks. One being 1st Round, 1st Pick selection Terry Bradshaw, and the second being 3rd Round, 53rd Pick Mel Blount. Bradshaw and Blount, both part of the '70s Steeler Dynasty, were both inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989. In his 14-year professional career, Bradshaw got off on a bumpy start from 1970–1975. Bradshaw threw a career-high 24 interceptions and only 6 touchdown passes. In wasn't until 1976 that Bradshaw's career began to peak. Blount's career was an overall consistent one. In 1975, he intercepted 11 passes for 121 yards.
In 1966, the NFL agreed on a merger with the rival
The opening of Three Rivers ended their relatively brief stay at
WTAE-TV sportscaster Myron Cope joined the Steelers radio network as color commentator for the 1970 season. Cope remained a fixture of the Steelers radio network through the 2004 season and became beloved by fans due to his enthusiasm and catchphrases behind the announcing booth. In 1975, Cope invented the Terrible Towel, originally conceived as a gimmick in the Steelers playoff game against Baltimore and now a staple among Steelers fans.
Personnel
Staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
Roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
|
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
|
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
|
Reserve lists
[6]
[7]
[8]
|
Regular season
Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | September 20, 1970 | Houston Oilers | L 19–7 |
2 | September 27, 1970 | at Denver Broncos | L 16–13 |
3 | October 3, 1970 | at Cleveland Browns | L 15–7 |
4 | October 11, 1970 | Buffalo Bills | W 23–10 |
5 | October 18, 1970 | at Houston Oilers | W 7–3 |
6 | October 25, 1970 | at Oakland Raiders | L 31–14 |
7 | November 2, 1970 | Cincinnati Bengals | W 21–10 |
8 | November 8, 1970 | New York Jets | W 21–17 |
9 | November 15, 1970 | Kansas City Chiefs | L 31–14 |
10 | November 22, 1970 | at Cincinnati Bengals | L 34–7 |
11 | November 29, 1970 | Cleveland Browns | W 28–9 |
12 | December 6, 1970 | Green Bay Packers | L 20–12 |
13 | December 13, 1970 | at Atlanta Falcons | L 27–16 |
14 | December 20, 1970 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 30-20 |
Game summaries
Week 1
|
Scoring drives:
- Houston – LeVias 22 pass from Johnson (Gerela kick) HOU 7–0
- Houston – LeVias 10 pass from Johnson (Gerela kick) HOU 14–0
- Houston – Safety, Bradshaw forced out of end zone by Pritchard HOU 16–0
- Houston – FG Gerela 8 HOU 19–0
- Pittsburgh – kick) HOU 19–7
The Steelers played their first regular season game at the brand new Three Rivers Stadium. Terry Bradshaw made his NFL debut, but struggled, going 4 for 16 for 40 yds. Bradshaw was also sacked for a safety, the first of three straight games in which this would happen. With the loss, the Steelers dropped to 0-1.
Week 2
|
Scoring drives:
- Denver – Crenshaw 1 run (Howfield kick) DEN 7–0
- Pittsburgh – Hoak 4 run (Mingo kick) T 7–7
- Pittsburgh – FG Mingo 9 PIT 10–7
- Pittsburgh – FG Mingo 13 PIT 13–7
- Denver – Safety, Washington tackled Bradshaw in end zone PIT 13–9
- Denver – Van Heusen 38 pass from Tensi (Howfield kick)DEN 16–13
With the loss, the Steelers fell to 0–2.
Week 3
|
Scoring drives:
- Cleveland – Safety, Bradshaw tackled in end zone by Snidow CLE 2–0
- Pittsburgh – Bradshaw 22 run (Mingo kick) PIT 7–2
- Cleveland – Morrison 53 pass from Phipps (kick failed)CLE 8–7
- Cleveland – Barnes 38 pass interception return (Cockroft kick) CLE 15–7
With the loss, the Steelers fell to 0–3.
Week 4
|
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – FG Mingo 28 PIT 3–0
- Buffalo – FG Guthrie 52 T 3–3
- Pittsburgh – Smith 6 pass from Hanratty (Mingo kick) PIT 10–3
- Buffalo – Simpson 4 run (Guthrie kick) T 10–10
- Pittsburgh – FG Mingo 49 PIT 13–10
- Pittsburgh – Pearson 2 run (Mingo kick) PIT 20–10
- Pittsburgh – FG Mingo 43 PIT 23–10
The Steelers won their first game, improving to 1–3.
Week 5
|
Scoring drives:
- Houston – Gerela 34 yard field goal – HOU 3–0
- Pittsburgh – kick) – PIT 7–3
With the win, the Steelers improved to 2–3 and split the regular season series with the Oilers.
Week 6
|
Scoring drives:
- Oakland – Chester 37 pass from Lamonica (Blanda kick) OAK 7–0
- Pittsburgh – Pearson 2 run (Mingo kick) T 7–7
- Oakland – Wells 44 pass from Blanda (Blanda kick) OAK 14–7
- Oakland – FG Blanda 27 OAK 17–7
- Oakland – Chester 19 pass from Blanda (Blanda kick) OAK 24–7
- Pittsburgh – Hughes 12 pass from Bradshaw (Mingo kick) OAK 24–14
- Oakland – Chester 43 pass from Blanda (Blanda kick) OAK 31–14
In the first in what would become many regular and postseason games between these 2 teams, the Steelers would lose the very first game to the Raiders as the team dropped to 2–4.
Week 7
|
Scoring drives:
- Cincinnati – Muhlmannkick) CIN 7–0
- Pittsburgh – Hughes 27 pass from Hoak (Mingo kick) T 7–7
- Cincinnati – FG Muhlmann43 CIN 10–7
- Pittsburgh – Hughes 72 pass from Hanratty (Mingo kick) PIT 14–10
- Pittsburgh – Bankston 2 run (Mingo kick)PIT 21–10
- First Monday night football game played at Three Rivers Stadium.
The Steelers won the very first game between them and the Bengals and the teams' record improved to 3–4.
Week 8
|
Scoring drives:
- New York Jets – FG Turner 17 NYJ 3–0
- Pittsburgh – Fuqua 1 run (Mingo kick) PIT 7–3
- Pittsburgh – Bankston 12 run (Mingo kick) PIT 14–3
- New York Jets – Mercein 15 pass from Woodall (Turner kick) PIT 14–10
- Pittsburgh – Fuqua 6 pass from Hanratty (Mingo kick) PIT 21–10
- New York Jets – Nock 1 run (Turner kick) PIT 21–17
With the win, the Steelers improved to 4–4.
Week 9
|
Scoring drives:
- Kansas City – FG Stenerud 32 KC 3–0
- Kansas City – Cannon 20 pass from Dawson (Stenerud kick) KC 10–0
- Pittsburgh – Fuqua 2 run (Mingo kick) KC 10–7
- Kansas City – Cannon 8 pass from Dawson (Stenerud kick) KC 17–7
- Kansas City – Taylor 42 pass from Dawson (Stenerud kick) KC 24–7
- Pittsburgh – Staggers 7 pass from Bradshaw (Mingo kick) KC 24–14
- Kansas City – Holmes 2 run (Stenerud kick) KC 31–14
The game is infamously known with Dave Smith dropping the ball while attempting to score a touchdown. With the loss, the Steelers fell to 4–5.
Week 10
|
Scoring drives:
- Cincinnati – FG Muhlmann17 CIN 3–0
- Cincinnati – FG Muhlmann13 CIN 6–0
- Cincinnati – Muhlmannkick) CIN 13–0
- Pittsburgh – Fuqua 1 run (Mingo kick) CIN 13–7
- Cincinnati – Muhlmannkick) CIN 20–7
- Cincinnati – Muhlmannkick) CIN 27–7
- Cincinnati – Muhlmannkick) CIN 34–7
In their first ever game in Cincinnati, the Steelers would lose it by 27 points as the team dropped to 4–6.
Week 11
|
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – kick) PIT 7–0
- Cleveland – FG Cockroft 16 PIT 7–3
- Cleveland – FG Cockroft 38 PIT 7–6
- Pittsburgh – Beatty 30 interception return (Watson kick) PIT 14–6
- Cleveland – FG Cockroft 46 PIT 14–9
- Pittsburgh - kick) PIT 21–9
- Pittsburgh – Fuqua 57 pass from Bradshaw (Watson kick) PIT 28–9
With the win, the Steelers improved to 5–6 and finished 3–3 in their division.
Week 12
|
Scoring drives:
- Green Bay – Krause 100 kickoff return (kick failed) GB 6–0
- Pittsburgh – FG Watson 15 GB 6–3
- Pittsburgh – Smith 87 pass from Bradshaw (kick failed) PIT 9–6
- Green Bay – McGeorge 13 pass from Starr (Livingston kick) GB 13–9
- Pittsburgh – FG Watson 45 GB 13–12
- Green Bay – Hilton 65 pass from Starr (Livingston kick) GB 20–12
Week 13
|
Scoring drives:
- Atlanta – Malone 5 pass from Johnson (Vinyard kick) ATL 7–0
- Pittsburgh – Fuqua 10 run (kick failed) ATL 7–6
- Pittsburgh – FG Watson 21 PIT 9–7
- Atlanta – FG Vinyard 35 ATL 10–9
- Pittsburgh – Fuqua 1 run (Watson kick) PIT 16–10
- Atlanta – FG Vinyard 17 PIT 16–13
- Atlanta – Mitchell 12 run (Vinyard kick)ATL 20–16
- Atlanta – Flatley 18 pass from Johnson (Vinyard kick) ATL 27–16
Week 14 (Sunday December 20, 1970): Philadelphia Eagles
|
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – Fuqua 72 run (Watson kick) PIT 7–0
- Philadelphia – Hawkins 21 pass from Snead (kick failed) PIT 7–6
- Philadelphia – Dirks recovered blocked kick in end zone (Moseley kick) PHI 13–7
- Pittsburgh – Fuqua 85 run (Watson kick) PIT 14–13
- Philadelphia – Ballman 19 pass from Snead (Moseley kick)PHI 20–14
- Pittsburgh – FG Watson 21 PHI 20–17
- Pittsburgh – FG Watson 17 T 20–20
- Philadelphia – FG Moseley 18 PHI 23–20
- Philadelphia – Watkins 1 run (Moseley kick) PHI 30–20
John Fuqua would run for 218 yards
Standings
AFC Central
| |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
Cincinnati Bengals | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | 3–3 | 7–4 | 312 | 255 | W7 |
Cleveland Browns | 7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | 4–2 | 7–4 | 286 | 265 | W1 |
Pittsburgh Steelers | 5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | 3–3 | 5–6 | 210 | 272 | L3 |
Houston Oilers | 3 | 10 | 1 | .231 | 2–4 | 3–7–1 | 217 | 352 | L3 |
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
References
- ^ "How the Steelers Traded Roy Jefferson" http://www.footballperspective.com/how-the-steelers-traded-roy-jefferson-and-won-four-super-bowls/
- ^ "Catching Up With Former Colt Roy Jefferson, Baltimore Sun, November 7, 2013
- ^ Ron Shanklin Career Statistics https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShanRo00.htm
- ^ "The Legend of Ron Shanklin" http://stillcurtain.com/2015/04/29/steelers-draft-legend-ronnie-shanklin/
- ^ 1970 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
- ^ 1970 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
- ^ 1971 Pittsburgh Steelers Preseason Prospectus.
- ^ "1970 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
External links
- 1970 Pittsburgh Steelers season at Profootballreference.com
- 1970 Pittsburgh Steelers season statistics at jt-sw.com