[Alberta's Child]

Speaking of Eric Wright . . .

Amidst all the hoopla about the "West Coast Offense," one thing that has gone overlooked about the 49ers of that era has been their very underrated defensive units.

After one season (I think it was 1984), the 49ers made NFL history by sending all four of their starting defensive backs to the Pro Bowl (cornerbacks Eric Wright and Ronnie Lott, and safeties Dwight Hicks and Carlton Williamson).

[dfwgator]

And who could forget that goal-line stand against the Bengals in SB XVI.

[Cyropaedia]

That '84 team had a great defense. They crushed Dan Marino and the Dolphins in the Super Bowl. I have always thought an injustice was done in naming Montana that game's MVP. They SHOULD have selected someone from the defense. The game was really just a contest between the Niners defense and Miami's offense. I'll never forget Wright's sensational interception at the goal line.

Personally I would have picked Gary "Big Hands" Johnson and Fred Dean as Co-MVP's. They continually pressured Marino and simply shut down Miami's rushing attack. But the game had been hyped as the "Battle of the Quarterbacks" so number 16 walked off with the award.

You're right. Walsh never gets the credit he deserved for building and orchestrating one of the all time great defensive teams. IIRC, he snagged Fred Dean from the Chargers for a measly fourth round draft pick. Ridiculous.