Pittsburgh Maulers
Encyclopedia
The Pittsburgh Maulers competed in the 1984 season of the United States Football League
. Their most prominent player was first pick overall in the 1984 USFL draft, running back Mike Rozier
of Nebraska, who won the Heisman Trophy
, collegiate football
's most prestigious individual award.
They were owned by shopping mall
magnate Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr., the father of Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr., then-owner of the San Francisco 49ers
of the National Football League
. The Maulers played at Three Rivers Stadium
.
conflict of interest
due to the father owning a USFL team and the son owning an NFL team, an accusation both father and son insisted was not the case.
The Maulers opened their season with a March 11, 1984 sellout crowd at Three Rivers Stadium
facing the Birmingham Stallions team with former long time Terry Bradshaw
backup and 1982 starting Pittsburgh Steelers
quarterback Cliff Stoudt
. Stoudt had his former fans pelt him with snowballs and ice during the game. It would be the teams only sellout.
The team finished 3–15, tying the Washington Federals for the worst record in the league. However, while undermanned, they were not nearly as bad as their record indicated. They were in part victims of a very tough schedule. They played nine games against playoff teams and caught a lot of the other teams when they were hot—Oklahoma and New Orleans early and San Antonio
and Jacksonville
late.
The team was built around the idea that Dallas Cowboys
long time third-string QB Glenn Carano
would be a strong starter in the USFL. To support Carano, the team had RB Mike Rozier
and WR Greg Anderson, who caught 63 passes. Carano had his moments but he struggled overall, completing only 53.7% of his passes with 13 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Backup Tom Rozantz was expected to mostly carry a clipboard, but he ended up playing a lot and he struggled as well. However, either would have been a disappointment, as most fans expected the Maulers to pick Steve Young rather than Mike Rozier
. Even bringing in former Arizona Wranglers
star WR Jackie Flowers
did not turn around the offense. Head coach Joe Pendry
was fired ten games into the season and he was replaced by offensive line coach Ellis Rainsberger
on an interim basis. The defense, led by CB Jerry Holmes
and DE Sam Clancy
finished a respectable eighth in points allowed. In spite of this, they were hobbled by a low-octane offense.
away from the Buffalo Bills
to become the new head coach.
However, just a few days later the USFL announced that they were switching to a fall schedule in 1986. DeBartolo was a strong believer in the USFL's original spring football concept, and he knew he could not hope to compete with the Pittsburgh Steelers
. A move to Cleveland, closer to DeBartolo's home in Youngstown
, was quickly ruled out; even without the daunting task of competing with the Cleveland Browns
to consider, it is not likely that Cleveland fans would have accepted a refugee from Pittsburgh. As a result, just a week after the vote to move to the fall DeBartolo folded the franchise without so much as a press conference.
United States Football League
The United States Football League was an American football league which was in active operation from 1983 to 1987. It played a spring/summer schedule in its first three seasons and a traditional autumn/winter schedule was set to commence before league operations ceased.The USFL was conceived in...
. Their most prominent player was first pick overall in the 1984 USFL draft, running back Mike Rozier
Mike Rozier
Michael Rozier is a former American collegiate and professional football running back who won the Heisman Trophy in 1983. He was born in Camden, New Jersey. Mike and his wife, Rochelle, an attorney, reside in South Jersey and together they have one son. Mike has two other children who reside in...
of Nebraska, who won the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
, collegiate football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
's most prestigious individual award.
They were owned by shopping mall
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
magnate Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr., the father of Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr., then-owner of the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. The Maulers played at Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to...
.
1984 season
No one was surprised when two groups filed for a Pittsburgh franchise in the winter of 1983. DeBartolo, Sr. was one of them—a considerable surprise, given his son's ownership of the 49ers. However, once he did apply, the other owners knew that he would lend the upstart league instant credibility and quickly approved his bid. Unusually, DeBartolo applied for the franchise in his own name rather than setting up a corporation or partnership. In fact, the NFL itself was threatening an investigation over a possible Cleveland Spiders-style1899 Cleveland Spiders season
The Cleveland Spiders season was a season in American baseball. It was their 13th season in the major leagues, their 11th season in the National League and their last season in existence....
conflict of interest
Conflict of interest
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual or organization is involved in multiple interests, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation for an act in the other....
due to the father owning a USFL team and the son owning an NFL team, an accusation both father and son insisted was not the case.
The Maulers opened their season with a March 11, 1984 sellout crowd at Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to...
facing the Birmingham Stallions team with former long time Terry Bradshaw
Terry Bradshaw
Terry Paxton Bradshaw is a former American football quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League . He played 14 seasons. He is a football analyst and co-host of Fox NFL Sunday...
backup and 1982 starting Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
quarterback Cliff Stoudt
Cliff Stoudt
Clifford Lewis Stoudt is a former American football quarterback for Youngstown State University and the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers...
. Stoudt had his former fans pelt him with snowballs and ice during the game. It would be the teams only sellout.
The team finished 3–15, tying the Washington Federals for the worst record in the league. However, while undermanned, they were not nearly as bad as their record indicated. They were in part victims of a very tough schedule. They played nine games against playoff teams and caught a lot of the other teams when they were hot—Oklahoma and New Orleans early and San Antonio
San Antonio Gunslingers
The San Antonio Gunslingers were a professional American football team based in San Antonio, Texas that played in the USFL in 1984 and 1985. Rick Neuheisel was the team's quarterback and only recognizable name. The team played in Alamo Stadium...
and Jacksonville
Jacksonville Bulls
The Jacksonville Bulls were a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League during its final two seasons, 1984 and 1985...
late.
The team was built around the idea that Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
long time third-string QB Glenn Carano
Glenn Carano
Glenn Thomas Carano is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League who played for the Dallas Cowboys for seven seasons...
would be a strong starter in the USFL. To support Carano, the team had RB Mike Rozier
Mike Rozier
Michael Rozier is a former American collegiate and professional football running back who won the Heisman Trophy in 1983. He was born in Camden, New Jersey. Mike and his wife, Rochelle, an attorney, reside in South Jersey and together they have one son. Mike has two other children who reside in...
and WR Greg Anderson, who caught 63 passes. Carano had his moments but he struggled overall, completing only 53.7% of his passes with 13 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Backup Tom Rozantz was expected to mostly carry a clipboard, but he ended up playing a lot and he struggled as well. However, either would have been a disappointment, as most fans expected the Maulers to pick Steve Young rather than Mike Rozier
Mike Rozier
Michael Rozier is a former American collegiate and professional football running back who won the Heisman Trophy in 1983. He was born in Camden, New Jersey. Mike and his wife, Rochelle, an attorney, reside in South Jersey and together they have one son. Mike has two other children who reside in...
. Even bringing in former Arizona Wranglers
Arizona Wranglers
The Arizona Wranglers were a professional American Football team in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. They played at Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, a suburb of Phoenix.-Founding:...
star WR Jackie Flowers
Jackie Flowers
Jackie Flowers was a standout wide receiver at Raines High School, graduating in 1976. He accepted a scholarship at Florida State University where he was a four-year letterman. In 1978, he made 43 catches for 757 yards and 7 TDs, earning Honorable Mention All-American honors...
did not turn around the offense. Head coach Joe Pendry
Joe Pendry
Joe Pendry is a former American football coach. From 1971 until 2010, he was an assistant coach or offensive coordinator for multiple teams in both the collegiate and professional ranks....
was fired ten games into the season and he was replaced by offensive line coach Ellis Rainsberger
Ellis Rainsberger
-External links:...
on an interim basis. The defense, led by CB Jerry Holmes
Jerry Holmes
Jerry Holmes is an American football coach and former defensive back. He played ten seasons in the National Football League, mainly for New York Jets but also with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. He also played in the USFL for the New Jersey Generals and the Pittsburgh Maulers...
and DE Sam Clancy
Sam Clancy
Sam Clancy is a former defensive end in the National Football League. He played for the Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, and Indianapolis Colts...
finished a respectable eighth in points allowed. In spite of this, they were hobbled by a low-octane offense.
1984 Pittsburgh Maulers roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Donnie Hickman Donald J. Hickman is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Southern California.... T/G Don Maggs Donald James Maggs is a former American football guard in the NFL for the Houston Oilers and Denver Broncos.... T Todd Thomas (American football) Todd Thomas was a gridiron football player. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Dakota.-Early years:... T Defensive linemen
|
Linebackers
Bruce Huther Bruce Albert Huther is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, the Cleveland Browns, and the Chicago Bears. He played college football at the University of New Hampshire.Huther played high school football at Manchester Regional High School in... LB Corner backs
Safeties
Special teams
Duplicate numbers listed due to roster movement during the season -- = roster number information unavailable |
||||
Vote for a fall schedule kills franchise
Despite losing millions of dollars and only winning three games, the Maulers were competitive in most games and they had reasonable fan support for a first year team. DeBartolo was determined to stick it out, even going as far as hiring Hank BulloughHank Bullough
Henry Charles "Hank" Bullough is a former American Football player and coach. He played college football at Michigan State and graduated in 1954. Bullough was a starting guard for the Spartans team that won the 1952 Rose Bowl...
away from the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
to become the new head coach.
However, just a few days later the USFL announced that they were switching to a fall schedule in 1986. DeBartolo was a strong believer in the USFL's original spring football concept, and he knew he could not hope to compete with the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. A move to Cleveland, closer to DeBartolo's home in Youngstown
Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
, was quickly ruled out; even without the daunting task of competing with the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
to consider, it is not likely that Cleveland fans would have accepted a refugee from Pittsburgh. As a result, just a week after the vote to move to the fall DeBartolo folded the franchise without so much as a press conference.
Single season leaders
- Rushing yards: 792 (1984), Mike RozierMike RozierMichael Rozier is a former American collegiate and professional football running back who won the Heisman Trophy in 1983. He was born in Camden, New Jersey. Mike and his wife, Rochelle, an attorney, reside in South Jersey and together they have one son. Mike has two other children who reside in...
- Receiving yards: 994 (1984), Greg Anderson
- Passing yards: 2368 (1984), Glenn CaranoGlenn CaranoGlenn Thomas Carano is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League who played for the Dallas Cowboys for seven seasons...
- Kick/punt return yards: 1306 (1984), Mark Poindexter