'83 Steelers Yearbook Profile
|
BIRTHDATE--July 8, 1952
BIRTHPLACE--Mantua, Ohio
HOW ACQUIRED--Draft (2nd in '74)
COLLEGE--Kent State
HEIGHT6'4"
WEIGHT--220
NFL EXP.--10 years
GAMES PLAYED--'74 (14), '75 (14), '76 (14), '77 (11), '78 (16), '79 (16), '80 (14), '81 (16), '82 (8)
| |
PRO: NFL's premier middle linebacker and one of the game's most dominating players... Earned Pro Bowl election for the eighth
consecutive season in 1982, tying a mark held by former teammate Jack Ham... His great physical skills, experience and ability
to excel at every phase of linebacker play destines him for the Hall of Fame as one of the greatest linebackers in the history of
pro football... Last year, for fourth straight season, received more first team All NFL recognition than any other linebacker
including AP, Pro Football Writers, Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Weekly... Made major transition when Steelers went
to 3-4 scheme, but showed no drop-off in production... Led team in tackles for ninth consecutive season - 77 (41 solos) -
while contributing four sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception in shortened season... New defense brought change in
responsibilities, especially in pass coverages, but his great speed and range more than compensated... Undisputed Steeler
leader, who sets the tone for the defense with his intelligent, intense style of play... At 220, not one of the game's biggest
linebackers, but durability and natural strength typified by record of playing 141 of 147 possible career games including
postseason at high risk position... Battled sprained right ankle for nearly a month early in 1982 training camp, missing the first
two preseason games... Came back to play final two games vs. Baltimore (8/28) and Philadelphia (9/4) while adjusting to new
scheme... Forced to miss opening win at Dallas (9/13) with sprained left knee, his first missed start since 1980 and only the
third time in nine seasons that injuries have taken him off the field... Recorded 16 tackles in first start vs. Cincinnati (9/19)...
Led team record eight sack effort vs. Kansas City (12/5) with career high three sacks... Played standout game in playoff loss
to San Diego, racking up 14 tackles (11 solos) and batting down two Dan Fouts passes... Team MVP for second time in
1981 while sharing club interception lead (6) with Mel Blount... Piled up 187 tackles (132 solos) as well as two sacks and two
fumble recoveries... Had four games with double figure tackling performances... Made one of the biggest plays of the season,
returning a Joe Montana pass interception 31-yards to set up a touchdown against San Francisco (11/1)... Suffered
concussion early in key game at Oakland (12/7), a loss which eliminated Steelers from playoff picture... Again, received
near-unanimous first team All NFL honors including AP, Pro Football Writers, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, Pro
Football Weekly and NEA... Received similar plaudits in 1980 when he tallied double figure tackling performances in nine of
14 games played... Missed two games with knee sprain... NFL's Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in career
(1979) as the Steelers beat Los Angeles in Super Bowl XIV... Was first Steeler since Ham (1974) to lead the league in
interceptions by a linebacker (6) that season... Also named AFC Defensive Player of Year by UPI... In 1978, excelled for
entire regular and postseason as club rolled to third Super Bowl title vs. Dallas... Became the first Training Camp hold-out in
Steelers history when he passed on camp and asked for a $200K salary. He got it... When he missed three games in 1977
with knee problems, it was the first time since coming up as a No. 2 draft choice in 1974... Led defense throughout 1976
when team lost four of its first five before reeling off 10 consecutive wins to make the playoffs... Was honored as NFL's
Defensive Player of the Year and team MVP... Set team record with six fumble recoveries... First earned All Pro and Pro
Bowl status in 1975... Recovered three fumbles in 1975 AFC Championship game vs. Oakland (1/4/76) to set NFL record...
AP's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1974 and also a member of the All rookie team... Only rookie starter (14 games) and
youngest member of the Steel Curtain defense... His first NFL tackle was for a 4-yard loss on a fourth-and-one goal line
stand... In seventh season as defensive captain, a role he first received in 1977... Second among active Steelers in career sacks
(19 1/2) behind Gary Dunn (23) and in fumble recoveries (13) behind Donnie Shell... Third among active players in
interceptions with 26 behind defensive back Mel Blount (53) and Donnie Shell (31) and fifth all-time... By earning Pro Bowl
status in 1983, will set all-time record for consecutive apperances by a linebacker-nine.
COLLEGE: Three-year starter at middle linebacker after converting from defensive end... Mid-American Conference
Defensive Player of the Year (1972) and a two-time All-MAC performer... Senior tri-captain... Tangerine Bowl MVP as
junior... Played in All-America Bowl and North-South game... Majored in Management.
PERSONAL: Single... Lives in Pittsburgh... Spokesman for Ronald McDonald House... Particularly enjoys working with young athletes...
Operates successful summer football camp in Alliance, Ohio... Played quarterback at Mantua (Ohio) High School where the
stadium was renamed in his honor during the 1980 off-season... Participated in NFL sponsored tour of Far East (1976) and
Europe (1977) military bases... Spent bulk of off-season working on 85-acre rural property northeast of Pittsburgh.
Back To Lambert Page
|
|