1987 Denver Dynamite season
TeamDenver Dynamite
Year1987
Record4–2
Division place1st
OwnerSidney Shlenker
StadiumMcNichols Sports Arena
PlayoffsWon ArenaBowl I (Gladiators) 45–16
Previousnone
No prevseasontrue
Next1989
ShortnavlinkDynamite seasons

The Denver Dynamite season was the first season for the Denver Dynamite. Businessman and owner of the Denver Nuggets, Sidney Shlenker announced the forming of the Denver Dynamite.[1] The franchise played in the inaugural four-team "demonstration" season of 1987.[1] Despite the team and league's doubters,[2] the Dynamite tied for the best record in the league with the Pittsburgh Gladiators, going 4–2. On August 1, 1987, the team participated in ArenaBowl I, which they won 45–16 over the Gladiators.[1] The Dynamite were led on offense by quarterback Whit Taylor,[3] and wide receiver Gary Mullen (Mullen won ArenaBowl I MVP).[1][4] After winning the ArenaBowl, Head Coach Tim Marcum was named the league's first ever Coach of the Year.[1] After leading the Dynamite to the Despite averaging the league's best attendance with over 12,000 a game,[1] it did not return for the league's second season due to Shlenker refusing to abide by the AFL's financial rules.[1]

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultsGame site
Final scoreTeam record
1June 20at Chicago BruisersW 52–44 (OT)1–0Rosemont Horizon
2June 27at Washington CommandosL 20–361–1Capital Centre
3July 3Washington CommandosW 73–572–1McNichols Sports Arena
4July 11Pittsburgh GladiatorsL 32–492–2McNichols Sports Arena
5July 17at Pittsburgh GladiatorsW 32–313–2Civic Arena
6July 24Chicago BruisersW 52–354–2McNichols Sports Arena

Standings

y – clinched regular-season title

x – clinched playoff spot

Playoffs

RoundDateOpponentResultsGame site
Final scoreTeam record
ArenaBowl IAugust 1at Pittsburgh GladiatorsW 45–161–0Civic Arena

Roster

1987 Denver Dynamite roster

Quarterbacks

Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs

Running Backs/Linebackers

Offensive Linemen/Defensive Linemen

Wide Receivers/Linebackers

Kickers

Rookies in italics
Roster updated February 1, 2013
22 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 PS

→ More rosters

Stats

Offense

Quarterback

PlayerComp.Att.Comp%YardsTD'sINT'sRating
Whit Taylor7613855.1105021893.6
Stuart Mitchell307440.54197271.8
Marty Mornhinweg3475300095.8

Running backs

PlayerCar.YardsTD's
Chris Brewer12561
Durell Taylor8390
Stuart Mitchell13343
Whit Taylor11231
Richard Prather6232
Marty Mornhinweg190
Steve Trimble1−30

Wide receivers

PlayerRec.YardsTD's
Gary Mullen2650211
Durell Taylor252836
Chris Brewer212554
Steve Trimble203405
Richard Prather8651
Richard Rodgers7491
William Cotman170
Whit Taylor1−20

Defense

PlayerTacklesSoloAssistedSackINTYardsTD's
William Cotman26.524501100
Keith Smith232225000
Gary Mullen2120202230
Steve Trimble191740100
Richard Prather161520000
Rob DeVita12.5976000
Clyde Skipper1212002100
Chris Brewer12960000
Kelly Kirchbaum11940000
Chuck Harris9663000
Patrick Cain7703000
Richard Rodgers6.55302230
Larry Friday6.5610000
Jon Norris5422000
Phil Forte3301000
Durell Taylor2200000
Lazlo Mike-Mayer2200000
Marco Morales1100000

Special teams

Kick return

PlayerRetYardsTD's
Durell Taylor285160
Chris Brewer7850
Steve Trimble4180
Gary Mullen2180
William Cotman1300
Phil Forte150
Clyde Skipper100
Kelly Kirchbaum000

Kicking

PlayerFGM4pgFGAPct.XPM2ptXPAPct.Pts.
Marco Morales201216.71101861.117
Lazlo Mike-Mayer0080.0801172.78
Marty Coyne0020.000500

Awards

PositionPlayerAwardAll-Arena team
Head CoachTim MarcumCoach of the Year–
Fullback/LinebackerChris Brewernone1st
Wide Receiver/Defensive BackGary Mullennone1st
QuarterbackWhit Taylornone2nd
Fullback/LinebackerDurell Taylornone2nd
Offensive/Defensive LinemanPatrick Cainnone2nd
Offensive/Defensive LinemanKelly Kirchbaumnone2nd

References

  1. ^ Joey Bunch (October 22, 2012). "Denver Dynamite exploded in Arena League’s first season, then fizzled out". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  2. ^ Buddy Martin (June 20, 1987). "Arena football: Try to avoid the temptation". Star-News. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  3. ^ Brent Wiseman (December 2, 2003). "Whit Taylor to be honored as "SEC Legend"". www.vanderbilt.scout.com. MSN. Archived from the original on 2012-03-03. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  4. ^ "Arena Football League Championship : Taylor Leads Dynamite, 45–16". Los Angeles Times. August 2, 1987. Retrieved February 1, 2013.