The 1997 Tennessee Oilers seasonNational Football League (NFL). It was the team's only season in Memphis, Tennessee after moving from Houston , and they played at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium .
Led by head coach Jeff Fisher , the Oilers finished the season with 8 wins and 8 losses, and did not qualify for the playoffs. Despite defeating the Oakland Raiders 24–21 in their first game in their new city, they lost the next four games and would not recover.
Offseason
NFL draft
[ 1]
Personnel
Staff
1997 Tennessee Oilers staff
Front office
Owner/chairman of the board/president – Bud Adams
Executive vice-president/general manager – Floyd Reese
Director of player personnel – Rich Snead
Director of college scouting – Glenn Cumbee
Director of Regional Scouting – Mike Holovak Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Les Steckel
Running backs – Sherman Smith
Wide receivers – Alan Lowry
Offensive line/tight ends – George Henshaw
Offensive line – Mike Munchak
Offensive assistant/quality control – Bart Andrus
Defensive coaches
Defensive coordinator – Gregg Williams
Defensive line – Rex Norris
Linebackers – O'Neill Gilbert
Defensive backs – Greg Brown
Defensive assistant/quality control – Jerry Gray Special teams coaches
Special teams – Russ Purnell Strength and conditioning
Strength and conditioning – Steve Watterson
Roster
1997 Tennessee Oilers roster
Quarterbacks (QB) Running backs (RB)
22 Mike Archie27 Eddie George 35 Spencer George 20 Rodney Thomas KR Wide receivers (WR)
83 Isaac Byrd 86 Willie Davis86 Joey Kent 82 Derrick Mason 85 Derek Russell81 Chris SandersTight ends (TE)
88 Roderick Lewis87 James McKeehan LS 80 Michael Roan89 Frank Wycheck
Offensive linemen (OL) Defensive linemen (DL)
78 Anthony Cook DE 68 Eric England DE 91 Josh Evans DT 92 Henry Ford DT 99 Kenny Holmes DE 98 Pratt Lyons DE/DT 97 Bryant Mix DT 90 James Roberson DE 96 Gary Walker DT
Linebackers (LB) 58 Joe Bowden OLB 51 Lemanski Hall OLB 57 Lenoy Jones MLB 50 Terry Killens OLB 56 Lonnie Marts OLB 59 Dennis Stallings MLB 52 Barron Wortham MLB Defensive backs (DB)
23 Blaine Bishop SS 30 Anthony Dorsett CB/S 24 Steve Jackson CB 29 Darryll Lewis CB 28 George McCullough CB 31 Marcus Robertson FS 26 Rayna Stewart FS 25 Denard Walker CB 42 Armon Williams SS Special teams (ST)
Practice squad Reserve
94 Kendrick Burton DE (Susp.) 93 Mike Halapin DT (IR ) 38 Roger Jones CB (IR )
53 active, 3 inactive, 3 practice squad
Rookies in italics
[ 2]
Preseason
Regular season
Tennessee Oilers inaugural season logo The Oilers' new stadium would not be ready until 1999, however, and the largest stadium in Nashville at the time, Vanderbilt Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University , seated only 41,000. At first, Bud Adams rejected Vanderbilt Stadium even as a temporary facility and announced that the renamed Tennessee Oilers would play the next two seasons at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis . The team would be based in Nashville, commuting to Memphis only for games—in effect, consigning the Oilers to 32 road games for the next two years. Even though this arrangement was acceptable to the NFL and the Oilers at the time, few people in either Memphis or Nashville were pleased by it. Memphis had made numerous attempts to get an NFL team (including the Memphis Hound Dogs and the Memphis Grizzlies court case), and many people in the area wanted nothing to do with a team that would be lost in only two years—especially to longtime rival Nashville. Conversely, Nashvillians showed little inclination to drive over 200 miles (300 km) to see "their" team. As a result, attendance at the Liberty Bowl was disastrous: on at least two occasions, fewer than 18,000 fans came to the stadium to see the Oilers, a number smaller than the attendance figures the team was getting in Houston after they had announced the move, and smaller than the fan bases the USFL's Memphis Showboats and XFL's Memphis Maniax had drawn/would draw to the same stadium. If not for the attendance of fans supporting the Oilers' opponents, attendance would likely have even been smaller than it was for the CFL's Memphis Mad Dogs. Even in weeks when the Oilers drew over 30,000 fans (which only happened twice), many of the attendees were fans of the opposing team, padding the attendance totals.
Schedule
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Oakland Raiders
Game information
First quarter
TEN – Al Del Greco 30-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0.
TEN – Chris Sanders 48-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–0. Second quarter
Third quarter
TEN – Al Del Greco 37-yard field goal. Oilers 13–0.
OAK – Tim Brown 59-yard pass from Jeff George (Cole Ford kick). Oilers 13–7. Fourth quarter
OAK – Tim Brown 27-yard pass from Jeff George (Cole Ford kick). Raiders 14–13.
TEN – Eddie George 29-yard run (Eddie George run). Oilers 21–14.
OAK – Tim Brown 16-yard pass from Jeff George (Cole Ford kick). Tied 21–21. Overtime
TEN – Al Del Greco 33-yard field goal. Oilers 24–21.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
OAK – Tim Brown – 8 receptions, 158 yards, 3 TD
TEN – Ronnie Harmon – 5 receptions, 50 yards
Week 2: at Miami Dolphins
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 23-yard field goal. Dolphins 3–0.
TEN – Eddie George 13-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–3.
TEN – Al Del Greco 24-yard field goal. Oilers 10–3. Third quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 22-yard field goal. Oilers 10–6.
TEN – Al Del Greco 37-yard field goal. Oilers 13–6. Fourth quarter
MIA – Irving Spikes 2-yard run (Olindo Mare kick). Tied 13–13. Overtime
MIA – Olindo Mare 29-yard field goal. Dolphins 16–13.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
TEN – Chris Sanders – 3 receptions, 58 yards
MIA – O. J. McDuffie – 8 receptions, 135 yards
Week 4: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week Four: Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary
at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
Date : September 21Game time : 12:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Cloudy, 71 °F (22 °C)Game attendance : 17,737TV announcers (NBC) : Joel Meyers & Beasley ReeceBox score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
BAL – Derrick Alexander 25-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 10–7.
BAL – Derrick Alexander 5-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 17–7.
TEN – Al Del Greco 45-yard field goal. Ravens 17–10.
BAL – Matt Stover 42-yard field goal. Ravens 20–10. Third quarter
BAL – Matt Stover 41-yard field goal. Ravens 23–10. Fourth quarter
BAL – Jermaine Lewis 16-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 30–10.
BAL – Matt Stover 34-yard field goal. Ravens 33–10.
BAL – Matt Stover 35-yard field goal. Ravens 36–10.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
PIT – Jason Gildon 12-yard fumble return (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 17–0.
TEN – Al Del Greco 37-yard field goal. Steelers 17–3.
PIT – Mark Bruener 18-yard pass from Kordell Stewart (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 24–3.
PIT – Kordell Stewart 2-yard run (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 31–3.
TEN – Al Del Greco 47-yard field goal. Steelers 31–6. Third quarter
TEN – Al Del Greco 26-yard field goal. Steelers 31–9.
PIT – Norm Johnson 25-yard field goal. Steelers 34–9. Fourth quarter
PIT – Norm Johnson 44-yard field goal. Steelers 37–9.
TEN – Frank Wycheck 10-yard pass from Steve McNair (Steve McNair pass to Frank Wycheck). Steelers 37–17.
TEN – Willie Davis 11-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Steelers 37–24.
Top passers
Top rushers
TEN – Steve McNair – 3 rushes, 29 yards
PIT – Jerome Bettis – 18 rushes, 74 yards Top receivers
TEN – Frank Wycheck – 9 receptions, 72 yards, TD
PIT – Yancey Thigpen – 5 receptions, 89 yards
Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks
Week Six: Tennessee Oilers at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
at Kingdome , Seattle, Washington
Date : October 5Game time : 3:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. PDT Game weather : None (indoor stadium)Game attendance : 49,897Referee : Dick HantakTV announcers (NBC) : Don Criqui & Jim MoraBox score
Game information
First quarter
TEN – Al Del Greco 37-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0. Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
SEA – Steve Broussard 43-yard run (kick failed). Seahawks 16–10.
TEN – Al Del Greco 43-yard field goal. Seahawks 16–13.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
TEN – Frank Wycheck – 4 receptions, 41 yards
SEA – Mike Pritchard – 7 receptions, 75 yards
Week 7: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week Seven: Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary
at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
Date : October 12Game time : 12:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Sunny, 74 °F (23 °C)Game attendance : 17,071TV announcers (NBC) : Charlie Jones and Bob TrumpyBox score
Game information
First quarter
TEN – Willie Davis 9-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0. Second quarter
TEN – Frank Wycheck 39-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0. Third quarter
TEN – Al Del Greco 47-yard field goal. Oilers 17–0.
TEN – Al Del Greco 45-yard field goal. Oilers 20–0. Fourth quarter
TEN – Willie Davis 10-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 27–0.
TEN – Al Del Greco 19-yard field goal. Oilers 30–0.
CIN – Corey Dillon 21-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Oilers 30–7.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 8: vs. Washington Redskins
Week Eight: Washington Redskins at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary
at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
Date : October 19Game time : 12:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Sunny, 55 °F (13 °C)Game attendance : 31,042Referee : Ron BlumTV announcers (FOX) : Kevin Harlan & Bill MaasBox score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
TEN – Steve McNair 2-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
TEN – Eddie George 3-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0. Third quarter
TEN – Rodney Thomas 5-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 21–0.
WAS – Henry Ellard 13-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Scott Blanton kick). Oilers 21–7.
WAS – Henry Ellard 10-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Scott Blanton kick). Oilers 21–14. Fourth quarter
TEN – Eddie George 6-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 28–14.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
WAS – Henry Ellard – 6 receptions, 84 yards, 2 TD
TEN – Willie Davis – 5 receptions, 72 yards
Week 9: at Arizona Cardinals
Week Nine: Tennessee Oilers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
at Sun Devil Stadium , Tempe, Arizona
Date : October 26Game time : 3:00 p.m. CST/2:00 p.m. MST Game weather : Sunny, 62 °F (17 °C)Game attendance : 44,030TV announcers (NBC) : Bob Fitzgerald and Jim LaslavicBox score
Game information
First quarter
TEN – Al Del Greco 52-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0. Second quarter
TEN – Denard Walker 39-yard interception return (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–0.
TEN – Al Del Greco 42-yard field goal. Oilers 13–0.
TEN – Steve McNair 35-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 20–0. Third quarter
TEN – Steve McNair 2-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 27–0.
ARI – Rob Moore 12-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Oilers 27–7.
TEN – Chris Sanders 55-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 34–7. Fourth quarter
TEN – Chris Sanders 20-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 41–7.
ARI – Rob Moore 2-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Oilers 41–14.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
TEN – Chris Sanders – 2 receptions, 75 yards, 2 TD
ARI – Frank Sanders – 10 receptions, 98 yards
Week 10: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week Ten: Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary
at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
Date : November 2Game time : 3:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Partly cloudy, 55 °F (13 °C)Game attendance : 27,208TV announcers (NBC) : Joel Meyers and Beasley ReeceBox score
Game information
First quarter
TEN – Darryl Lewis 47-yard interception return (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
JAC – Mike Hollis 30-yard field goal. Oilers 7–3.
JAC – Chris Hudson 32-yard fumble return (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 10–7.
JAC – Pete Mitchell 6-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 17–7. Second quarter
TEN – Al Del Greco 36-yard field goal. Jaguars 17–10.
JAC – Mark Brunell 6-yard run (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 24–10. Third quarter
JAC – Mike Hollis 30-yard field goal. Jaguars 27–10.
TEN – Rodney Thomas 3-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Jaguars 27–17. Fourth quarter
JAC – Mike Hollis 37-yard field goal. Jaguars 30–17.
TEN – Eddie George 5-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Jaguars 30–24.
Top passers
Top rushers
JAC – James Stewart – 17 rushes, 99 yards
TEN – Eddie George – 17 rushes, 51 yards, TD Top receivers
JAC – Jimmy Smith – 5 receptions, 50 yards
TEN – Willie Davis – 4 receptions, 83 yards
Week 11: vs. New York Giants
Week Eleven: New York Giants at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary
at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
Date : November 9Game time : 3:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Cloudy, 46 °F (8 °C)Game attendance : 26,744Referee : Walt Coleman TV announcers (Fox ) : Kenny Albert and Tim GreenBox score
Game information
First quarter
TEN – Al Del Greco 31-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0. Second quarter
TEN – Eddie George 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–0.
NYG – Brad Daluiso 42-yard field goal. Oilers 10–3. Third quarter
NYG – Brad Daluiso 41-yard field goal. Oilers 10–6. Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
NYG – Chris Calloway – 4 receptions, 65 yards
TEN – Chris Sanders – 3 receptions, 64 yards
Week 12: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Week Twelve: Tennessee Oilers at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
at Alltel Stadium , Jacksonville, Florida
Date : November 16Game time : 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : Partly cloudy, 56 °F (13 °C)Game attendance : 70,070TV announcers (NBC) : Don Criqui and Jim MoraBox score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
JAC – Natrone Means 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 14–3. Fourth quarter
TEN – Frank Wycheck 22-yard pass from Willie Davis (run failed). Jaguars 14–9.
JAC – Mike Hollis 23-yard field goal. Jaguars 17–9.
Top passers
Top rushers
TEN – Rodney Thomas – 9 rushes, 54 yards
JAC – Natrone Means – 23 rushes, 64 yards, TD Top receivers
Week 13: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week Thirteen: Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary
at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
Date : November 23Game time : 12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Rain, 40 °F (4 °C)Game attendance : 23,571TV announcers (NBC) : Joel Meyers and Beasley ReeceBox score
Game information
First quarter
TEN – Marcus Robertson 27-yard fumble return (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
TEN – Steve McNair 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0. Second quarter
TEN – Steve McNair 3-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 21–0.
BUF – Quinn Early 9-yard pass from Todd Collins (Steve Christie kick). Oilers 21–7. Third quarter
TEN – Al Del Greco 51-yard field goal. Oilers 24–7. Fourth quarter
BUF – Quinn Early 6-yard pass from Todd Collins (Steve Christie kick). Oilers 24–14.
TEN – Derek Russell 2-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 31–14.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
BUF – Quinn Early – 8 receptions, 103 yards, 2 TD
TEN – Frank Wycheck – 6 receptions, 51 yards
Week 14: at Dallas Cowboys
Thanksgiving Day games
Week Fourteen: Tennessee Oilers at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
at Texas Stadium , Irving, Texas
Date : Game time : 3:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Clear, 66 °F (19 °C)Game attendance : 63,421TV announcers (NBC) : Dick Enberg, Phil Simms and Paul MaguireBox score
Game information
First quarter
TEN – Erik Norgard 2-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
TEN – Steve McNair 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0. Second quarter
DAL – Michael Irvin 19-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Oilers 14–7.
TEN – Al Del Greco 29-yard field goal. Oilers 17–7.
TEN – Marcus Robertson 42-yard fumble return (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 24–7. Third quarter
DAL – Michael Irvin 37-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Oilers 24–14. Fourth quarter
TEN – Al Del Greco 19-yard field goal. Oilers 27–14.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
CIN – Corey Dillon 31-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 21–0.
CIN – Corey Dillon 1-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 28–0. Third quarter
CIN – Corey Dillon 2-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 35–0.
CIN – Doug Pelfrey 26-yard field goal. Bengals 38–0. Fourth quarter
TEN – Willie Davis 5-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Bengals 38–7.
CIN – Doug Pelfrey 40-yard field goal. Bengals 41–7.
TEN – Joey Kent 11-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Bengals 41–14.
Top passers
Top rushers
TEN – Steve McNair – 5 rushes, 16 yards
CIN – Corey Dillon – 39 rushes, 246 yards, 4 TD Top receivers
TEN – Willie Davis – 4 receptions, 45 yards, TD
CIN – Darnay Scott – 6 receptions, 83 yards
Week 16: at Baltimore Ravens
Week Sixteen: Tennessee Oilers at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
at Memorial Stadium , Baltimore, Maryland
Date : December 14Game time : 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : Partly cloudy, 35 °F (2 °C)Game attendance : 60,558TV announcers (NBC) : Jim Donovan and James LoftonBox score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
TEN – Al Del Greco 40-yard field goal. Ravens 7–6.
BAL – Eric Green 37-yard pass from Eric Zeier (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 14–6. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
BAL – Derrick Alexander 19-yard pass from Eric Zeier (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 21–12.
TEN – Steve McNair 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Ravens 21–19.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
TEN – Chris Sanders – 7 receptions, 100 yards
BAL – Eric Green – 3 receptions, 59 yards, TD
Week 17: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week Seventeen: Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary
at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
Game information
First quarter
TEN – Al Del Greco 34-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0.
PIT – Norm Johnson 23-yard field goal. Tied 3–3. Second quarter
TEN – Rodney Thomas 25-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–3.
TEN – Al Del Greco 29-yard field goal. Oilers 13–3. Third quarter
TEN – Al Del Greco 26-yard field goal. Oilers 16–3. Fourth quarter
PIT – Norm Johnson 36-yard field goal. Oilers 16–6.
Top passers
Top rushers
PIT – Fred McAfee – 10 rushes, 27 yards
TEN – Rodney Thomas – 6 rushes, 41 yards, TD Top receivers
PIT – Yancey Thigpen – 6 receptions, 84 yards
TEN – Derrick Mason – 3 receptions, 47 yards
Standings
AFC Central
W
L
T
PCT
PF
PA
STK
(2) Pittsburgh Steelers
11
5
0
.688
372
307
L1
(5) Jacksonville Jaguars
11
5
0
.688
394
318
W2
8
8
0
.500
333
310
W1
Cincinnati Bengals
7
9
0
.438
355
405
W3
Baltimore Ravens
6
9
1
.406
326
345
L1
References
External links
Founded in 1960
Formerly the Houston Oilers (1960–1996) and the Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998)
Based and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Division championships (11) Conference championships (1) League championships (2) Retired numbers Media Current league affiliations Former league affiliation Key personnel
