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{{Infobox NFL season
{{short description|NFL team season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL team season
| team = Detroit Lions
| team = Detroit Lions
| year = 1977
| year = 1977
Line 6: Line 8:
| coach = [[Tommy Hudspeth]]
| coach = [[Tommy Hudspeth]]
| general_manager = [[Russ Thomas]]
| general_manager = [[Russ Thomas]]
| owner = [[William Clay Ford, Sr.]]
| owner = [[William Clay Ford Sr.]]
| stadium = [[Pontiac Silverdome]]
| stadium = [[Pontiac Silverdome]]
| playoffs = ''Did not qualify''
| playoffs = ''Did not qualify''
| pro_bowlers = ''None''
| AP All-pros = ''None''
| shortnavlink = Lions seasons
| shortnavlink = Lions seasons
}}
}}


The '''[[1977 NFL season|1977]] [[Detroit Lions]] season''' was their 48th in the [[National Football League]] (NFL). The team matched their [[1976 Detroit Lions season|previous season]]'s output of 6–8.<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1977.htm 1977 Detroit Lions]</ref> The team missed the playoffs for the seventh straight season. The Lions struggled offensively, scoring a mere 183 points while finishing in third place with a 6–8 record for the second straight season.
The '''[[1977 NFL season|1977]] [[Detroit Lions]] season''' was their 48th in the [[National Football League]] (NFL). The team matched their [[1976 Detroit Lions season|previous season]]'s output of 6–8,<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1977.htm 1977 Detroit Lions]</ref> and missed the playoffs for the seventh straight season. The Lions struggled offensively, scoring a mere 183 points while finishing in third place with a 6–8 record for the second consecutive season.


The 1977 coaching staff included 25-year-old assistant special teams and offensive assistant coach [[Bill Belichick]]. Belichick would later win two Super Bowls as defensive coordinator with the New York Giants following the 1986 and 1990 seasons, and six more as head coach of the New England Patriots.
The 1977 coaching staff included 25-year-old assistant special teams and offensive assistant coach [[Bill Belichick]]. Belichick would later win two Super Bowls in [[1986 New York Giants season|the 1986]] and [[1990 New York Giants season|1990 seasons]] as defensive coordinator with the New York Giants, and six as [[list of New England Patriots head coaches|head coach of the New England Patriots]].


This would be the final season for head coach [[Tommy Hudspeth]] before he and his entire staff were fired. This would also be the final season for future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall-of-Fame]] tight end [[Charlie Sanders]] before his retirement.


==Personnel==
== NFL draft ==
{{Main|1977 NFL draft}}
{{NFL team draft start
| year = 1977
| teamname = Detroit Lions
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 2
| pick = 42
| player = [[Walt Williams (cornerback)|Walt Williams]]
| position = [[Cornerback|CB]]
| college = [[1976 New Mexico State Aggies football team|New Mexico State]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 3
| pick = 69
| player = [[Rick Kane]]
| position = [[Running back|RB]]
| college = [[1976 San Jose State Spartans football team|San Jose State]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 4
| pick = 96
| player = [[Luther Blue]]
| position = [[Wide receiver|WR]]
| college = [[1976 Iowa State Cyclones football team|Iowa State]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 5
| pick = 114
| player = [[Ron Crosby]]
| position = [[Linebacker|LB]]
| college = [[1976 Penn State Nittany Lions football team|Penn State]]
| notes = from Seattle
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 6
| pick = 166
| player = [[Reggie Pinkney]]
| position = [[Defensive back|DB]]
| college = [[1976 East Carolina Pirates football team|East Carolina]]
| notes = from New England
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 7
| pick = 179
| player = Tim Black
| position = LB
| college = [[1976 Baylor Bears football team|Baylor]]
| notes =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 8
| pick = 209
| player = Mark Griffin
| position = [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|OT]]
| college = [[1976 North Carolina Tar Heels football team|North Carolina]]
| notes =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 9
| pick = 236
| player = Steve Mathieson
| position = [[Quarterback|QB]]
| college = [[1976 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
| notes =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 10
| pick = 236
| player = [[Gary Anderson (offensive lineman)|Gary Anderson]]
| position = [[Guard (gridiron football)|G]]
| college = [[1976 Stanford Cardinals football team|Stanford]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 11
| pick = 293
| player = [[Tony Daykin]]
| position = LB
| college = [[1976 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team|Georgia Tech]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 12
| pick = 320
| player = Dave Greenwood
| position = G
| college = [[1976 Iowa State Cyclones football team|Iowa State]]
| notes =
| maderoster = no
}}{{NFL team draft end
| hof = no
}}

'''Notes'''

* Detroit traded its first-round pick (12th) to [[1977 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo]] in exchange for WR [[J. D. Hill|J.D. Hill]].
* Detroit traded QB [[Bill Munson]] to [[1976 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle]] in exchange for Seattle's fifth-round pick (114th).
* Detroit traded its fifth-round pick (125th) to [[1976 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh]] in exchange for TE [[John McMakin]].
* Detroit traded its sixth-round pick (320th) and G [[Guy Dennis]] to [[1976 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego]] in exchange for G [[Mark Markovich]].
* Detroit traded WR [[Marlin Briscoe]] to [[1977 New England Patriots season|New England]] in exchange for a sixth-round pick (166th).

== Personnel ==


===Staff===
=== Staff ===
{{NFL final staff
{{NFL final staff
| year = 1977
| year = 1977
Line 25: Line 146:


| front_office =
| front_office =
* President – [[William Clay Ford, Sr.]]
* President – [[William Clay Ford Sr.]]
* Executive Vice President and General Manager – [[Russ Thomas]]
* Executive Vice President and General Manager – [[Russ Thomas]]
* Vice President and Assistant General Manager – Roger Lehew
* Vice President and Assistant General Manager – Roger Lehew


| head_coach =
| head_coach =
* Head Coach – [[Tommy Hudspeth]]
* Head coach – [[Tommy Hudspeth]]


| offensive =
| offensive =
* Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Receivers – [[Ed Hughes]]
* Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks/receivers – [[Ed Hughes]]
* Offensive Backfield – [[Wally English]]
* Offensive backfield – [[Wally English]]
* Offensive Line – [[John Payne (American football)|John Payne]]
* Offensive line – [[John Payne (American football)|John Payne]]
* Offensive Assistant – [[Bill Belichick]]
* Offensive assistant – [[Bill Belichick]]


| defensive =
| defensive =
* Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line – [[Fritz Shurmur]]
* Defensive coordinator/defensive line – [[Fritz Shurmur]]
* Linebackers – [[Rollie Dotsch]]
* Linebackers – [[Rollie Dotsch]]
* Defensive Backfield – [[Burnie Miller]]
* Defensive backfield – [[Burnie Miller]]
| special_teams =
| special_teams =
* Special Teams – [[Floyd Reese]]
* Special teams – [[Floyd Reese]]
* Assistant Special Teams – Bill Belichick
* Assistant special teams – Bill Belichick


| strength =
| strength =
Line 51: Line 172:
<ref>{{cite book |title=1977 Detroit Lions Media Guide |pages=3–10 |chapter=Executive and coaching staff profiles }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite book |title=1977 Detroit Lions Media Guide |pages=3–10 |chapter=Executive and coaching staff profiles }}</ref>


===Roster===
=== Roster ===
{{NFL season roster
{{NFL season roster
| year = 1977
| year = 1977
| team = Detroit Lions
| team = Detroit Lions


| quarterbacks =
| quarterbacks =
{{NFLplayer|16|Gary Danielson}}
{{NFLplayer|16|Gary Danielson}}
{{NFLplayer|11|Greg Landry}}
{{NFLplayer|11|Greg Landry}}
{{NFLplayer|14|Joe Reed|d=quarterback}}


| running_backs =
| running_backs =
{{NFLplayer|43|Andy Bolton|link=no}}
{{NFLplayer|43|Andy Bolton|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|24|Dexter Bussey}}
{{NFLplayer|24|Dexter Bussey}}
{{NFLplayer|44|Marv Hubbard}}
{{NFLplayer|44|Marv Hubbard}}
Line 73: Line 195:
{{NFLplayer|45|Ray Jarvis|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|45|Ray Jarvis|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|39|Leonard Thompson|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|39|Leonard Thompson|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|49|Larry Walton}}


| tight_ends =
| tight_ends =
{{NFLplayer|81|David Hill|d=tight end}}
{{NFLplayer|81|David Hill|d=tight end}}
{{NFLplayer|87|Bill Larson}}
{{NFLplayer|87|Bill Larson|d=tight end}}
{{NFLplayer|88|Charlie Sanders}}
{{NFLplayer|88|Charlie Sanders}}


| offensive_linemen =
| offensive_linemen =
{{NFLplayer|60|Lynn Boden|G}}
{{NFLplayer|60|Gary Anderson|d=offensive lineman|rookie=y|G}}
{{NFLplayer|62|Lynn Boden|G}}
{{NFLplayer|73|Russ Bolinger|G}}
{{NFLplayer|73|Russ Bolinger|G}}
{{NFLplayer|76|Rocky Freitas|T}}
{{NFLplayer|71|Craig Hertwig|T}}
{{NFLplayer|71|Craig Hertwig|T}}
{{NFLplayer|68|Mark Markovich|C}}
{{NFLplayer|68|Mark Markovich|G}}
{{NFLplayer|64|Melvin Mitchell|C}}
{{NFLplayer|63|Jon Morris|C}}
{{NFLplayer|63|Jon Morris|C}}
{{NFLplayer|75|Jim Yarbrough|T}}
{{NFLplayer|79|Dave Simonson|T}}
{{NFLplayer|75|Jim Yarbrough|T|d=offensive lineman}}


| defensive_linemen =
| defensive_linemen =
Line 119: Line 244:


| reserve_lists =
| reserve_lists =
{{NFLplayer|—-|Ron Crosby|rookie=y|LB|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|76|Rocky Freitas|T|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|38|Lawrence Gaines|FB|IR}}


| practice_squad =
| practice_squad =
}}
}}


==Schedule==
== Schedule ==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
|-
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|year=1977|border=2}}"| Week
! Week
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|year=1977|border=2}}"| Date
! Date
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|year=1977|border=2}}"| Opponent
! Opponent
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|year=1977|border=2}}"| Result
! Result
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|year=1977|border=2}}"| Record
! Attendance
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|year=1977|border=2}}"| Attendance
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 1
! 1
| September 18
| September 18
| at [[Chicago Bears]]
| at '''[[1977 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]'''
| L 30–20
| '''L''' 30–20
|0–1
| <center>51,530</center>
| 51,530
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| 2
! 2
| September 25
| September 25
| [[New Orleans Saints]]
| [[1977 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]
| W 23–19
| '''W''' 23–19
|1–1
| <center>51,458</center>
| 51,458
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| 3
! 3
| October 2
| October 2
| [[Philadelphia Eagles]]
| [[1977 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]
| W 17–13
| '''W''' 17–13
|2–1
| <center>57,236</center>
| 57,236
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 4
! 4
| October 9
| October 9
| at [[Minnesota Vikings]]
| at '''[[1977 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]'''
| L 14–7
| '''L''' 14–7
|2–2
| <center>45,860</center>
| 45,860
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| 5
! 5
| October 16
| October 16
| [[Green Bay Packers]]
| '''[[1977 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]'''
| W 10–6
| '''W''' 10–6
|3–2
| <center>78,452</center>
| 78,452
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 6
! 6
| October 23
| October 23
| at [[San Francisco 49ers]]
| at [[1977 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]]
| L 28–7
| '''L''' 28–7
|3–3
| <center>39,392</center>
| 39,392
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 7
! 7
| October 30
| October 30
| at [[Dallas Cowboys]]
| at [[1977 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]
| L 37–0
| '''L''' 37–0
|3–4
| <center>63,160</center>
| 63,160
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| 8
! 8
| November 6
| November 6
| [[San Diego Chargers]]
| [[1977 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]]
| W 20–0
| '''W''' 20–0
|4–4
| <center>72,559</center>
| 72,559
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 9
! 9
| November 13
| November 13
| at [[Atlanta Falcons]]
| at [[1977 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]]
| L 17–6
| '''L''' 17–6
|4–5
| <center>47,461</center>
| 47,461
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| 10
! 10
| November 20
| November 20
| [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]
| '''[[1977 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]'''
| W 16–7
| '''W''' 16–7
|5–5
| <center>49,751</center>
| 49,751
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 11
! 11
| November 24
| {{dow tooltip|November 24, 1977}}
| [[Chicago Bears]]
| '''[[1977 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]'''
| L 31–14
| '''L''' 31–14
|5–6
| <center>71,373</center>
| 71,373
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 12
! 12
| December 4
| December 4
| at [[Green Bay Packers]]
| at '''[[1977 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]'''
| L 10–9
| '''L''' 10–9
|5–7
| <center>56,267</center>
| 56,267
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| 13
! 13
| December 11
| December 11
| at [[History of the Indianapolis Colts|Baltimore Colts]]
| at [[1977 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]]
| W 13–10
| '''W''' 13–10
|6–7
| <center>45,124</center>
| 45,124
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 14
! 14
| December 17
| {{dow tooltip|December 17, 1977}}
| [[Minnesota Vikings]]
| '''[[1977 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]'''
| L 30–21
| '''L''' 30–21
|6–8
| <center>78,572</center>
| 78,572
|-
| colspan="6" |'''Note''': Intra-division opponents are in '''bold''' text.
|}
|}


==Standings==
== Standings ==
{{1977 NFC Central standings}}
{{1977 NFC Central standings}}


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


Latest revision as of 23:11, 27 April 2024

1977 Detroit Lions season
OwnerWilliam Clay Ford Sr.
General managerRuss Thomas
Head coachTommy Hudspeth
Home fieldPontiac Silverdome
Results
Record6–8
Division place3rd NFC Central
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersNone
AP All-ProsNone

The 1977 Detroit Lions season was their 48th in the National Football League (NFL). The team matched their previous season's output of 6–8,[1] and missed the playoffs for the seventh straight season. The Lions struggled offensively, scoring a mere 183 points while finishing in third place with a 6–8 record for the second consecutive season.

The 1977 coaching staff included 25-year-old assistant special teams and offensive assistant coach Bill Belichick. Belichick would later win two Super Bowls in the 1986 and 1990 seasons as defensive coordinator with the New York Giants, and six as head coach of the New England Patriots.

This would be the final season for head coach Tommy Hudspeth before he and his entire staff were fired. This would also be the final season for future Hall-of-Fame tight end Charlie Sanders before his retirement.

NFL draft

[edit]
Main article: 1977 NFL draft
1977 Detroit Lions draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
2 42 Walt Williams  CB New Mexico State
3 69 Rick Kane  RB San Jose State
4 96 Luther Blue  WR Iowa State
5 114 Ron Crosby  LB Penn State from Seattle
6 166 Reggie Pinkney  DB East Carolina from New England
7 179 Tim Black  LB Baylor
8 209 Mark Griffin  OT North Carolina
9 236 Steve Mathieson  QB Florida State
10 236 Gary Anderson  G Stanford
11 293 Tony Daykin  LB Georgia Tech
12 320 Dave Greenwood  G Iowa State
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Notes

Personnel

[edit]

Staff

[edit]
1977 Detroit Lions staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams – Floyd Reese
  • Assistant special teams – Bill Belichick

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Floyd Reese

[2]

Roster

[edit]
1977 Detroit Lions roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad



Rookies in italics

Zeitplan

[edit]
Week Date Opponent Result Record Attendance
1 September 18 at Chicago Bears L 30–20 0–1 51,530
2 September 25 New Orleans Saints W 23–19 1–1 51,458
3 October 2 Philadelphia Eagles W 17–13 2–1 57,236
4 October 9 at Minnesota Vikings L 14–7 2–2 45,860
5 October 16 Green Bay Packers W 10–6 3–2 78,452
6 October 23 at San Francisco 49ers L 28–7 3–3 39,392
7 October 30 at Dallas Cowboys L 37–0 3–4 63,160
8 November 6 San Diego Chargers W 20–0 4–4 72,559
9 November 13 at Atlanta Falcons L 17–6 4–5 47,461
10 November 20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 16–7 5–5 49,751
11 November 24 Chicago Bears L 31–14 5–6 71,373
12 December 4 at Green Bay Packers L 10–9 5–7 56,267
13 December 11 at Baltimore Colts W 13–10 6–7 45,124
14 December 17 Minnesota Vikings L 30–21 6–8 78,572
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

[edit]
NFC Central
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Minnesota Vikings(3) 9 5 0 .643 6–1 8–4 231 227 W1
Chicago Bears(4) 9 5 0 .643 6–1 8–4 255 253 W6
Detroit Lions 6 8 0 .429 2–5 4–8 183 252 L1
Green Bay Packers 4 10 0 .286 2–5 4–7 134 219 W1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2 12 0 .143 0–4 2–11 103 223 W2

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 1977 Detroit Lions
  2. ^ "Executive and coaching staff profiles". 1977 Detroit Lions Media Guide. pp. 3–10.
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