1989 San Diego Chargers season

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1989 San Diego Chargers season
Owner
Jack Murphy Stadium
Results
Record6–10
Division place5th AFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers
AP All-Pros
1
Former Bears quarterback Jim McMahon was brought in to boost the Chargers' passing offense.

The 1989 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 20th season in the National Football League (NFL), its 30th overall and the first season under head coach Dan Henning, whose predecessor, Al Saunders, had been fired shortly after the previous season.

The team matched their 6–10 record from 1988. Their season followed a similar pattern to the previous year, with their six wins arriving in three pairs. San Diego brought in a high-profile free agent in quarterback Jim McMahon, but it was their defensive unit that saw a big improvement, ranking sixth in the league,[1] and never conceding more than 26 points in a game after week 2.

On the field, McMahon's form was indifferent; off it, he repeatedly clashed with journalists. He was released shortly after the season finished. Second-year receiver Anthony Miller had a strong year with 1,252 yards. The running game lost Gary Anderson to a holdout, which lasted the entire season; one of his replacements, 7th-round draft pick Marion Butts, was the only player from San Diego's 1989 draft class to make the Pro Bowl during his career.

The combination of a strong defense and mediocre offense led to several close finishes - thirteen games were decided by seven points or fewer, including the last twelve in a row. Before the

NFL adopted the two-point conversion in 1994, this was tied for the most one-score games in a single season.[2]

Offseason

Head coaching change

Al Saunders was fired the day after the 1988 season ended, after two-and-a-half seasons in charge. He had compiled a 17-22 record, with no playoff appearances. Saunders had publicly criticised the personnel decisions of Steve Ortmayer, the Chargers' director of football operations, creating personal friction that potentially accelerated his departure.[3][4]

Marty Schottenheimer, who had recently resigned as Cleveland Browns head coach, was among those interviewed for the San Diego vacancy.[5] Schottenheimer signed for the Chiefs instead, though he would become the Chargers' head coach 13 years later.[6] Other candidates included Chicago assistant Johnny Roland, Washington assistant Dan Henning, Illinois head coach Mike White, and the Chargers' own defensive coordinator, Ron Lynn.[7]

On February 9, Henning was named to the role, bringing an end to a long search - the Chargers had been the first in the league to fire their previous head coach, but the last to appoint a replacement. While serving as an offensive assistant with

Washington, Henning's teams had won Super Bowls in 1981 and 1987. He had struggled as a head coach in between those jobs, compiling a record of 22-41-1 in Atlanta from 1983 to 1986, with a losing record in each of the four seasons.[8] Ortmayer spoke of Henning's Super Bowl rings as a factor in the hire, as well as his willingness to retain the incumbent Chargers assistant coaches.[9]

Henning had previously been in San Diego as a quarterback, in 1966, when he made his solitary appearance for a professional team.[10]

Departures and arrivals

Having passed for 2,388 yards the previous season, third worst in the league,

following year's draft.[15] This proved to be a second-round pick.[16] Two quarterbacks from the previous season, meanwhile, left the team. Babe Laufenberg, who had started the first six games, was released in April;[17] Mark Malone, starter in eight games, was re-signed in July but released in August after McMahon was acquired.[18][19]

The running back position also saw significant upheaval, prompted by Gary Anderson's season-long holdout. Anderson, who was coming off a 1,000-yard season, asked that his wages be increased from $400,000 per season to $1 million. The Chargers' highest offer was $700,000. As the holdout dragged on, San Diego made lower offers, while refusing Anderson's trade requests.[20] By October 21, the player had sold his home in San Diego, resolving not to play there again.[21] After sitting out the entire year, he signed for the Buccaneers in April 1990.[22] Also at the running back position, the versatile Lionel James was cut shortly before the season started,[23] backup Barry Redden was traded to Cleveland, and former Super Bowl winner Timmy Smith came in as a free agent only to be cut.[24] 8th-year running back Darrin Nelson came in in a mid-season trade. He arrived from Dallas in exchange for a mid-round draft pick, after stating he'd sooner retire than play for the Cowboys.[25]

Wide receiver Phil McConkey, a former Super Bowl winner, was another mid-season pickup - his five games in San Diego proved to be the last of his NFL career.[26]

There were also significant changes in the offensive line.

waived)[28] left after starting a combined 24 games in 1988,[29][30] while Dennis McKnight, who had started every non-strike game since 1984,[31] missed the entire season after rupturing a tendon in his knee in the final preseason game, and didn't play for the Chargers again.[32] Newcomers to the line included tackles Joel Patten and Brett Miller, who were picked up from the Colts and Falcons respectively.[33][34]

On defense, 1988 holdout Chip Banks went to Indianapolis,[25] and Keith Browner was released after failing a drug test.[35] Browner had started 15 games at linebacker in 1988.[36] The Chargers added Jim Collins, a former Pro Bowl linebacker.[37]

The Chargers also released punter Ralf Mojsiejenko and kickers Steve DeLine and Vince Abbott.[38][39] Fourteen-year veteran Chris Bahr beat out DeLine and Abbott for the kicking job in training camp,[38][39] while Lewis Colbert lasted only two games as the new punter before being replaced by CFL veteran Hank Ilesic.[40]

NFL draft

San Diego made ten selections in the 1989 draft.[41] Their first pick (eighth overall) was defensive end Burt Grossman, from the University of Pittsburgh, described by Henning as "the best downline pass rusher in this draft".[14] The Chargers came close to timing out and forfeiting their pick, as several possible deals to trade down fell through - San Diego were trying to obtain a free agent quarterback, with both McMahon and Washington backup Stan Humphries mentioned as possibilities.[14] Humphries would become a Charger four years later.[42] Grossman held out until August 25, but ultimately signed a five-year deal worth over $3 million.[43]

In the second round, San Diego picked center

Texas Tech.[46]

Further down in the draft, San Diego found a future

Pro Bowler in running back Marion Butts.[47] With Anderson holding out, Butts was pressed into immediate action in 1989, and finished as the Chargers' top rusher.[1] He would gain over 4,000 yards in 5 seasons with the team.[47] During training camp, eighth-round pick Dana Brinson made a sufficiently good impression as a runner and receiver that he took Lionel James' spot on the roster.[48]

1989 San Diego Chargers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 8 Burt Grossman  Defensive end Pittsburgh
2 37 Courtney Hall  Center Rice
2 51 Billy Joe Tolliver  Quarterback Texas Tech
5 120 Elliot Smith  Defensive back Alcorn State
7 183 Marion Butts *  Running back Florida State
7 195 Terrence Jones  Quarterback Tulane
8 204 Dana Brinson  Wide receiver
Nebraska
9 231 Pat Davis  Tight end Syracuse
10 260 Ricky Andrews  Linebacker Washington
11 287 Victor Floyd  Running back Florida State
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[41]

Personnel

Staff

1989 San Diego Chargers staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

[49]

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Chris Hartman

Roster

1989 San Diego Chargers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad

[49][50]
Rookies in italics
47 active, 8 inactive, 3 practice squad

Preseason

San Diego struggled to a 20–3 defeat in their preseason opener, turning the ball over five times against the Cowboys. Quarterbacks Billy Joe Tolliver, David Archer and Mark Malone combined for 20 completions from 42 attempts, for 198 yards. The Chargers managed only a Chris Bahr field goal, wasting a strong defensive performance that saw Dallas gain only 206 yards. Rookie Marion Butts led all rushers with 12 carries for 61 yards.[51] Jim McMahon joined the Chargers the day before their second game, which was against his old club, Chicago. McMahon featured only briefly, with Tolliver throwing two touchdown passes in a 24–7 win.[52] McMahon saw more extensive action in the next game, a 17–14 loss to the defending Super Bowl champions, San Francisco. He struggled, completing 7 of 13 passes for 26 yards and an interception. Tolliver again threw two touchdowns, with Butts and Anthony Miller scoring after the 49ers went 17–0 ahead. Steve DeLine was short on a potentially game-tying 53-yard field goal try late in the game.[53]

The final preseason game had a dramatic finish. Despite a 49-yard touchdown pass from McMahon to Miller, the Chargers trailed 20–7 after a Cardinals' field goal with 9:38 to play. Tolliver then led a 65-yard touchdown drive, with Butts scoring from a yard out. Bahr, who had earlier missed two field goals, then recovered his own onside kick, but Tolliver was intercepted. After forcing a punt, San Diego took over on their own 39 with 1:49 to play, and began a 15-play drive that saw Tolliver convert two fourth downs, before breaking a collarbone while scrambling out of bounds at the Phoenix 4 yard line with a second left. McMahon came back in and found Quinn Early for the game-winner as time expired.[54] As well as Tolliver, offensive lineman Dennis McKnight ruptured during a tendon in his knee during the game, and missed the whole regular season.[32][55]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 August 13 Dallas Cowboys L 3–20 0–1
Jack Murphy Stadium
40,203
2 August 19 at Chicago Bears W 24–7 1–1 Soldier Field 60,167
3 August 23 at San Francisco 49ers L 14–17 1–2 Candlestick Park 54,471
4 September 1 Phoenix Cardinals W 21–20 2–2 Jack Murphy Stadium 41,453

[56]

Regular season

Overview

interceptions.[58] His relations with the media were frequently frosty: when asked by a reporter whether he was in pain, McMahon responded, "Only when I look at you".[59] On another occasion, he blew his nose in the direction of a reporter who had brought up San Diego's two-minute offense.[60] Dan Henning released McMahon shortly after the season ended.[61] Rookie backup Billy Joe Tolliver won two of his five starts, but his passer rating of 57.9 was well below the league average of 75.6.[1][62] Despite the indifferent quarterbacking play, second-year wide receiver Anthony Miller performed well enough that his teammates voted him the Chargers' MVP for the season; he had 75 catches for 1,252 yards and 10 touchdowns, ranking at least eleventh in the league in each statistic.[63] His mark for receptions was twice what any of his teammates posted, his yardage triple any teammate, and his touchdown tally was double the combined total of every other Charger.[64]

While Gary Anderson's holdout meant that the running game had lost a 1,000-yard rusher from 1988, rookie Marion Butts proved a pleasant surprise for his head coach,[65] scoring seven touchdowns in his first six games.[66] He had a scoring drought mid-season, and missed time through injury,[67] but still led the team with 683 yards at 4 yards per carry, while his total of nine rushing touchdowns ranked seventh in the league.[68] Tim Spencer added 521 yards, and the team ranked near the middle of the league overall.[1]

San Diego's defense ranked ninth in the league for points allowed, and sixth for yardage. They benefitted from a strong defensive front seven,[69] where Leslie O'Neal shifted to the outside linebacker position to make room for rookie defensive end Burt Grossman. O'Neal, back to full fitness following his 1986 knee injury, had 12+12 sacks, while Grossman had 10 and Lee Williams led the AFC with 14.[70] The trio's combined total of 36+12 helped San Diego rank third in the league with 48 sacks.[71] Inside linebacker Gary Plummer led the team with 146 tackles, while Gill Byrd's seven interceptions were the most by a Charger, and tied for fourth-best in the league.[72][1]

On special teams, Chris Bahr made 17 of 25 kicks, ranking 22nd in the league with a 68% conversion rate.[73] The Chargers struggled to cover kick returns, giving up the fifth highest average yardage per punt return with 10.5 and second highest per kickoff return with 21.9.[74] Anthony Miller, in addition to his successes on offense, averaged 25.4 yards on 21 kickoff returns, fourth best in the league, while running one back for a touchdown for the second consecutive season.[75][76]

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 September 10 at Los Angeles Raiders L 14–40 0–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 40,237 Recap
2 September 17 Houston Oilers L 27–34 0–2
Jack Murphy Stadium
42,013 Recap
3 September 24 Kansas City Chiefs W 21–6 1–2 Jack Murphy Stadium 40,128 Recap
4 October 1 at Phoenix Cardinals W 24–13 2–2
Sun Devil Stadium
44,201 Recap
5 October 8 at Denver Broncos L 10–16 2–3 Mile High Stadium 75,222 Recap
6 October 15 Seattle Seahawks L 16–17 2–4 Jack Murphy Stadium 50,079 Recap
7 October 22 New York Giants L 13–20 2–5 Jack Murphy Stadium 48,566 Recap
8 October 29 at Seattle Seahawks L 7–10 2–6 Kingdome 59,691 Recap
9 November 5 Philadelphia Eagles W 20–17 3–6 Jack Murphy Stadium 47,019 Recap
10 November 12 Los Angeles Raiders W 14–12 4–6 Jack Murphy Stadium 59,151 Recap
11 November 19 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 17–20 4–7 Three Rivers Stadium 44,203 Recap
12 November 26 at Indianapolis Colts L 6–10 4–8
Hoosier Dome
58,822 Recap
13 December 3 New York Jets L 17–20 4–9 Jack Murphy Stadium 38,954 Recap
14 December 10 at Washington Redskins L 21–26 4–10
RFK Stadium
47,693 Recap
15 December 17 at Kansas City Chiefs W 20–13 5–10 Arrowhead Stadium 40,623 Recap
16 December 24 Denver Broncos W 19–16 6–10 Jack Murphy Stadium 50,524 [ Recap]

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

All game reports use the Pro Football Researchers' gamebook archive as a source.[77]

Week 1: at Los Angeles Raiders

Week One: San Diego Chargers at Los Angeles Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 7 0 7014
Raiders 7 14 71240

at

Los Angeles, California

Game information

Jim McMahon struggled on his San Diego debut as the Chargers were well beaten.[78] On the game's first play from scrimmage, a hit by Leslie O'Neal on Jay Schroeder forced the Raider quarterback to leave the game, but not until after he'd capped a 4-play, 76-yard drive with a touchdown pass. McMahon converted third downs with his arm and his legs during the answering drive; San Diego reached a 3rd and 1 at midfield, from where rookie Marion Butts burst through the middle and scored a 50-yard touchdown on only his third NFL carry. O'Neal sacked backup QB Steve Beuerlein on the next drive to force a punt, but Los Angeles came back with three straight touchdown drives, and Beuerlein had scoring throws on two of them. With San Diego's offense struggling to move the ball consistently, it was 28–7 early in the 3rd quarter.[79]

San Diego were then forced to punt, but Chris Gannon recovered a Tim Brown fumble on the return. Taking over at the Raider 43, McMahon immediately hit Anthony Miller for 38 yards down the left sideline, and Butts scored from a yard out three plays later. With David Archer in at quarterback, the Chargers could add no further points. Los Angeles scored three times in quick succession in the final quarter to turn the game into a runaway: a field goal was followed by Victor Floyd muffing the kickoff, and being tackled in the end zone for a safety; the Raiders received the ensuing free kick, and added a touchdown in short order.[79]

McMahon completed 7 of 18 passes, for 91 yards. Butts carried nine times, gaining 64 of San Diego's 171 rushing yards and scoring two touchdowns.[79]

Week 2: vs. Houston Oilers

Week Two: Houston Oilers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Oilers 3 17 14034
Chargers 7 7 01327

at

San Diego, California

  • Date: September 17
  • Game weather: 70 °F (21.1 °C), relative humidity 81%, wind 10 mph
  • Game attendance: 42,013
  • Referee: Howard Roe
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Joe Namath
  • Box score
Game information

A run of 31 unanswered Oilers points proved too much for San Diego to overcome.[80] Following a Tony Zendejas field goal, McMahon was intercepted on the Chargers' first play from scrimmage. The defense forced a punt, and Cris Dishman was flagged for unnecessary roughness to keep the next Charger drive alive. The play after the penalty, McMahon found Miller for a 63-yard touchdown. The receiver was open at the Houston 25, and wrong-footed the last defender before scoring easily. McMahon threw incomplete on 4th down in the red zone the next time San Diego had the ball, but they soon made another chance - Elvis Patterson blocked a punt, which rolled out of bounds at the Oiler's 1 yard line. Butts scored off right tackle a play later.[81]

Down 14–3, Houston quickly retaliated when Warren Moon connected with Ernest Givins for a 14-yard touchdown. When Floyd fumbled later in the half, Moon ran the go-ahead score in himself. McMahon completed four passes on the next drive, but his throw on 2nd and 15 from the Oiler 24 was tipped and intercepted - Houston added another field goal as time expired in the half. In the 3rd quarter, a Butts fumble and McMahon interception were turned into a pair of Oiler touchdowns, giving them a 34–14 lead.[81]

San Diego fought back in the final quarter. McMahon converted a pair of third downs with completions to Rod Bernstine and Quinn Early, before Butts scored his fourth touchdown in two games on 3rd and goal from the 1, completing an 80-yard drive. Archer botched the hold on the extra point, keeping the deficit at fourteen. Houston then recovered an onside kick and ran the clock down to only three minutes before Zendejas missed a 24-yard chip shot wide left. The Chargers again drove 80 yards for a touchdown; Miller had catches of 12 yards (to convert a 4th and 10), and 10 yards (for a touchdown, with 55 seconds to play). Lester Lyles then appeared to have recovered an onside kick for the Chargers, but after a five-minute consultation, officials ruled the ball had been illegally touched before travelling ten yards. The kick was retaken, and the Oilers recovered, clinching their win.[81]

McMahon was 27 of 45 for 389 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. His completions and yardage would stand as single game career-highs.[82] San Diego outgained Houston 413–367, but committed all five of the game's turnovers.[81]

Week 3: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week Three: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 3 3 006
Chargers 7 0 7721

at

San Diego, California

  • Date: September 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
    PDT
  • Game weather: 87 °F (30.6 °C), relative humidity 85%, wind 10 mph
  • Game attendance: 40,128
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Joe Namath
  • Box score
Game information

San Diego intercepted Steve DeBerg five times as they posted their first win of the year.[83] Miller's 35-yard reception gave the Chargers a 1st and goal at the 2 early on, but four straight rushing plays ended with Butts being stuffed a yard short of the goal line, turning the ball over on downs. Vencie Glenn soon gave his team another chance by intercepting a tipped pass and returning it 31 yards to the Chief 17. Tim Spencer had back-to-back carries of eight and nine yards at right tackle, the latter for a touchdown. In reply, Christian Okoye broke off a 59-yard run, setting up a field goal. Gill Byrd intercepted an underthrown bomb from DeBerg to stop a later Kansas City threat, but the Chiefs managed a further field goal, and trailed by just one point at halftime.[84]

The Chargers opened the second half with an 11-play, 74-yard touchdown drive. Rod Bernstein, who played as both tight end and running back during the game, rushed for 12 yards early in the drive; Butts added 14-yard gains on consecutive plays, moving the ball to the 1, from where Bernstine pulled in McMahon's pass. On the next two Chief drives, Byrd had his second interception of the game, and strong safety Martin Bayless claimed his first as a Charger. San Diego's offense went

three-and-out after both turnovers, and Kansas City drove into the red zone. O'Neal's third down sack forced a field goal try, and kicker Nick Lowery missed from 40 yards out to keep it a two-score game. Miller's 20-yard catch then helped San Diego move the ball to the Chief 32, from where Bernstine ran off tackle for the clinching touchdown, 3:31 from time. Lester Lyles bagged the final Charger interception shortly afterwards.[84]

In contrast to the previous week, McMahon only passed for 96 yards, while his running game gained 200 yards on 37 carries. Bernstine (73 yards), Butts (62) and Spencer (57), split the bulk of the workload between them. San Diego won the turnover battle 5–0 a week after losing it by the same margin.[84]

Week 4: at Phoenix Cardinals

Week Four: San Diego Chargers at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 0 71724
Cardinals 0 3 10013

at

Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

Game information

Billy Ray Smith made two critical plays as San Diego took control of a close game in the final quarter.[85] The Charger offense was unproductive in the first half, gaining 80 yards and three first downs while punting five times. Phoenix also struggled to move the ball, but managed a 54-yard field goal drive shortly before halftime. After a second Cardinal field goal, San Diego finally sprang into life, covering 82 yards in just 6 plays - Miller's 47-yard reception moved the ball into Phoenix territory, and his 16-yard touchdown put his team ahead. Only two plays later, Gary Hogeboom threw a 57-yard bomb to Roy Green, restoring the Cardinal lead at 13–7.[86]

McMahon had completions of 20 and 16 yards on the next drive, as well as a 14-yard carry. After his incompletion on 3rd and goal from the four, Chris Bahr came on for a field goal try. He made the kick, but Phoenix were guilty of a hold, giving San Diego a fresh set of downs. Butts scored on the next play, and the Chargers were ahead to stay, fourteen minutes from time. Two plays later, Byrd forced a fumble which Smith scooped up and returned 15 yards for a touchdown. Smith continued to make an impact as the final quarter wore on, breaking up a fourth down pass in Charger territory and recovering a second fumble to set up a field goal. The Cardinals' last big chance ended when Lee Williams sacked Hogeboom on 4th and 3 from the Charger 8, three minutes from time.[86]

Byrd and Bennett each intercepted a pass in the game, and San Diego had a 4–0 edge in turnovers.[86]

Week 5: at Denver Broncos

Week Five: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 0 7010
Broncos 0 6 01016

at

Denver, Colorado

  • Date: October 8
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
    MDT
  • Game weather: 55 °F (12.8 °C), relative humidity 34%, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 75,222
  • Referee: Jerry Seeman
  • TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph and Joe Namath
  • Box score
Game information