1988 Kansas City Chiefs season

The 1988 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 19th season in the National Football League and the 29th overall.

1988 Kansas City Chiefs season
OwnerLamar Hunt
Head coachFrank Gansz
General managerJim Schaaf
Home fieldArrowhead Stadium
Results
Record4–11–1
Division place5th AFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersLB Dino Hackett
CB Albert Lewis
S Deron Cherry

Bill Kenney opened the team's initial two games at quarterback, but was replaced by DeBerg for the second half against Seattle.[1] DeBerg guided the team to a 20–13 win against Denver in his initial start as a member of the Chiefs. However, six losses--three by one point, two by 7-6 scores--and a tie followed as Kenney and DeBerg jostled for the QB job.

As the season drew to a close, it became apparent the winds of change were blowing across the organization. President Jack Steadman resigned on December 8, while general manager Jim Schaaf was relieved of his duties the same day.[1] Steadman was later named chairman of the board. On the field, the Chiefs finished the year at 4–11–1 as questions swirled regarding head coach Frank Gansz's future and who would fill the club's leadership void. One day after the season's conclusion, former Philadelphia Eagles and United States Football League executive Carl Peterson was named the club's president/general manager and chief operating officer on December 19.

Offseason

The spring was marked by several notable trades as the club jockeyed to improve on its 4–11 finish in 1987. Todd Blackledge was traded to Pittsburgh on March 29 and 12-year veteran quarterback Steve DeBerg was acquired from Tampa Bay on March 31. The Chiefs moved up one spot in the first round of the draft to select defensive end Neil Smith with the second overall pick.

NFL draft
Main article: 1988 NFL draft
1988 Kansas City Chiefs draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 2 Neil Smith *  Defensive end Nebraska
3 59 Kevin Porter  Defensive back Auburn
4 96 Johnny Ray Ambrose  Wide receiver Mississippi
6 139 James Saxon  Running back San Jose State
7 170 Troy Stedman  Linebacker Washburn
8 197 Alfredo Roberts  Tight end Miami (FL)
9 224 Azizuddin Abdur-Ra'oof  Wide receiver Maryland
10 251 Kenny Gamble  Running back Colgate
11 282 Danny McManus  Quarterback Florida State
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[2]

Personnel

Staff
1988 Kansas City Chiefs staff
Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – CT Hewgley

Roster
1988 Kansas City Chiefs roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad



Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Attendance
1 September 4, 1988 Cleveland Browns L 6–3
55,654
2 September 11, 1988 at Seattle Seahawks L 31–10
61,512
3 September 18, 1988 Denver Broncos W 20–13
63,268
4 September 25, 1988 San Diego Chargers L 24–23
45,498
5 October 2, 1988 at New York Jets T 17–17
66,110
6 October 9, 1988 at Houston Oilers L 7–6
39,134
7 October 16, 1988 Los Angeles Raiders L 27–17
77,078
8 October 23, 1988 Detroit Lions L 7–6
66,926
9 October 30, 1988 at Los Angeles Raiders L 17–10
36,103
10 November 6, 1988 at Denver Broncos L 17–11
74,227
11 November 13, 1988 Cincinnati Bengals W 31–28
34,614
12 November 20, 1988 Seattle Seahawks W 27–24
33,152
13 November 27, 1988 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 16–10
42,057
14 December 4, 1988 New York Jets W 38–34
30,059
15 December 11, 1988 at New York Giants L 28–12
69,807
16 December 18, 1988 at San Diego Chargers L 24–13
26,339

Week 16 at Chargers
Week Sixteen: Kansas City Chiefs (4–10–1) at San Diego Chargers (5–10)
1 2 34Total
Chiefs 13 0 0013
Chargers 10 7 7024

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: December 18, 1988
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C) • Wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn)
  • Game attendance: 26,339
  • Box Score, Box Score

Both coaches, Kansas City's Frank Gansz and San Diego's Al Saunders, were fired shortly after this game. It was also the last time the Chiefs wore the red pants introduced by Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram in 1968 until 2000.

Standings
AFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Seattle Seahawks(3) 9 7 0 .563 6–2 8–4 339 329 W2
Denver Broncos 8 8 0 .500 3–5 5–7 327 352 W1
Los Angeles Raiders 7 9 0 .438 6–2 6–6 325 369 L2
San Diego Chargers 6 10 0 .375 3–5 4–8 231 332 W2
Kansas City Chiefs 4 11 1 .281 2–6 4–9–1 254 320 L2

References
  1. "Kansas City Chiefs History 1980's". Archived from the original on August 6, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2007.
  2. "1988 Kansas City Chiefs draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
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