The New England Steamrollers season was the first and only season for the Arena Football League franchise. Concert and fight promoter, Frank J. Russo, and jeweler, Robert Andreoli, purchased a limited partnership from the Arena Football League to own the rights to a Providence, Rhode Island team. The team's first move was the hiring of Head Coach Babe Parilli in March. After a 3–9 season, the Steamrollers didn't achieve the dollar amount that Russo and Andreoli thought they would, and the franchise folded.
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Results Game site Final score Team record 1 April 29 Chicago Bruisers L 35–60 0–1 Providence Civic Center 2 May 7 at Pittsburgh Gladiators L 26–82 0–2 Civic Arena 3 May 13 Detroit Drive L 24–29 0–3 Providence Civic Center 4 May 21 New York Knights W 24–13 1–3 Providence Civic Center 5 May 26 at Los Angeles Cobras L 20–27 1–4 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 6 June 3 Chicago Bruisers L 21–30 1–5 Providence Civic Center 7 June 11 Pittsburgh Gladiators L 39–45 1–6 Providence Civic Center 8 June 18 at New York Knights W 33–28 2–6 Madison Square Garden 9 June 25 Los Angeles Cobras L 34–49 2–7 Providence Civic Center 10 July 1 at Chicago Bruisers L 25–68 2–8 Rosemont Horizon 11 July 11 at Detroit Drive L 10–46 2–9 Joe Louis Arena 12 July 16 at Pittsburgh Gladiators W 44–34 3–9 Civic Arena
Standings
y – clinched regular-season title
x – clinched playoff spot
Roster 1988 New England Steamrollers roster Quarterbacks Matt Heidman Harold Smith Paul Williams
Wide receivers/Defensive backs Brian Allen Frank Bianchini Brian Gardner Russell Hairston David Hendley Jim Hockaday Jason Oliver Jim Pratt Jim Rafferty Tony Slaton Alvin Williams Running backs/Linebackers Chris Brewer Cletis Jones
Offensive linemen/Defensive linemen Sylvester Bembery Joe Felton Kim Johnson Kevin Murphy Mike Nease Steve O'Malley Jeff Oliver Donald Thompson Joe Williams ‘’Bill Birnbaum’’ Wide receivers/Linebackers Maurice Gravely Larry Friday
Kickers David Jacobs Bernie Ruoff
Rookies in italicsRoster updated February 12, 2013 29 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 PS
Awards Position Player Award All-Arena team Wide receiver/Defensive back Jim Hockaday none 2nd Offensive/Defensive lineman Kevin Murphy none 2nd Offensive/Defensive lineman Sylvester Bembery none 2nd
References
External links New England Steamrollers season at arenafan.com