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49ers All-Time Cornerback #2

Now that we've got our first cornerback position in Jimmy Johnson, let's take care of the #2 position.  As I said, Primetime has been added to the list.  Reasons for that are included in his brief bio.  And once again, we've left out Ronnie Lott because I feel he is best remembered as a safety.

Deion Sanders (1994): As previously mentioned, Deion Sanders did only play one year, which is why he was not up for the vote for the #1 cornerback position.  However, Deion's single season with the 49ers was one of the most dominant in franchise history and it was arguably his best season as a pro.  Deion was named the Defensive Player of the Year for the only time in his career and he was the definition of shutdown corner.  He had 6 INTs, half of which were returned for touchdowns and his return yardage on the interceptions was the highest of his career.  Maybe he wasn't a tackling CB, but when teams are avoiding your half of the field most of the game, you don't need to be a tackler.

Kermit Alexander (1963-1969): Alexander spent seven seasons with the 49ers amassing an impressive 36 interceptions, a rate of just over 5 per season.  As impressive is that he came out of college as a running back and was the outstanding offensive player at the Hula Bowl.  Mix in some quality kick and punt return stats and you've got one heck of a player.  Also, just noticed he recovered 23 fumbles in his career.  Nothing on Johnson for that, but Alexander is the franchise leader there by a safe margin.

Lowell Wagner (1949-1953): Wagner was with the team in its last year in the All-America Football Conference and then the first four years in the NFL.  Although the team struggled a bit early on, Wagner was a highlight, snagging 31 interceptions in just five full season with the team.

Eric Wright (1981-1990): No vote would be complete without Wright.  While not a ball hawk like some of these other guys (7 of his 18 career INTs came in a single season), Wright was a very solid corner who is on the short list of 4-time Super Bowl winners.

Don Griffin (1986-1993): I'll be honest, I don't remember a whole heck of a lot about Griffin.  He is 9th on the 49ers INT list and was the successor to Eric Wright at right CB, and a fitting successor he ended up being.

Poll
Who should be our all-time #2 CB?
Deion Sanders
148 votes
Kermit Alexander
23 votes
Lowell Wagner
2 votes
Eric Wright
173 votes
Don Griffin
15 votes

361 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 18 comments

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Neon Deion

Who else but the man that injured himself high-stepping?

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on May 23, 2008 12:40 PM PDT   0 recs

I remember one time he returned an interception on a two point conversion 102 yards for a non-score.

Great player. Smart player, though?

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 23, 2008 1:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow.

I can’t believe Deion’s going to win this.

by sfgfan on May 23, 2008 1:10 PM PDT   0 recs

Don't blame me.

I voted for Kodos.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 23, 2008 2:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

He shouldn’t even be on this list. He’s winning because people know his name & not their 49er history. Shame.

by drink409 on May 23, 2008 5:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

deion/asterisk

I stand by the decision to include him on this second list. If he does in fact win the vote I’ll be placing an asterisk next to his name…

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on May 23, 2008 6:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe you should add Ronnie Lott to the CB list

He did start his career there…Plus I fear that my favorite of all time Tim McDonald will be left off the All Time Roster if you don’t.

by drink409 on May 23, 2008 9:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I know for a fact

That Fooch considered this possibility strongly, but ultimately decided that Ronnie Lott was most appropriate to be voted on only as a safety.

I don’t mind the Deion inclusion. He had a near historic year with our team, and we are forcing him to be the back-up, anyway.

I didn’t vote for him, mind you, but I don’t mind him being up for vote.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 24, 2008 1:27 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

just to be clear

I am not trying to put down the decision to put deion on the list…I’m sure it is tough to make the decision on who should be up for vote. And I apreciate the work being done to make this all time team

by drink409 on May 24, 2008 11:24 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't mind that he's on the list.

The thing that’s driving me up the wall is that Wright is going to miss out on the roster because of it. When you think of the secondary during the “glory years,” it’s almost impossible not to mention Wright. Dah well, I suppose it was a vote and if the people want Deion, that’s who they get.

by sfgfan on May 25, 2008 11:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

defensive backs

Well a couple of things: 1) Wright has moved to only 4 votes back, which is pretty impressive. 2) We’re having a generic 3rd DB that will include corners and safeties that aren’t voted in at the normal positions. So some options there.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on May 26, 2008 9:24 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I know.

But then one out of Hanks or Wright would be omitted. Then again, I see Wright has move ahead by one, so this conversation may all be for naught.

by sfgfan on May 27, 2008 8:59 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That was my vote

But I’ve been over come. I completely blame Fooch. What’s the point of adding a player that you feel necessary to asterix? Either he belongs in the voting or he doesn’t, period.

by methodrampage on May 27, 2008 10:14 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

22

If Dieon makes the ballot after 1 season, how about Nate Clements?

by Nineraguan on May 24, 2008 10:54 AM PDT   0 recs

comparable season?

Deion had a legendary season in 1994. Nate Clements had a very fine year, but I don’t think it was quite as dominant as Deion’s season.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on May 24, 2008 12:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That's reasonable

Let’s hope Clements tops this list after a few more fine seasons.

by Nineraguan on May 24, 2008 3:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Kermit

Kermit.

MURS for President!!!!!!!

by jtoj on May 24, 2008 4:03 PM PDT   0 recs

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