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49ers All-Time Safety #2

In a less than stunning result, Roger Craig is running away with the vote at running back at a whopping 71%.  Frank Gore is second at 14%, but I'd imagine in the coming years that vote total will only go up.

I thought we'd switch things up and go over to the defensive side of the ball for this week.  We'll start at safety.  I decided that given the quality mix of free safeties and strong safeties, we'd just go with two generic safety positions.  The first one is occupied by Ronnie Lott.  If anybody feels like arguing it should be put to a vote I'm all ears.  However, I think most folks would agree that the #1 safety in team history is clearly Ronnie Lott.

There are no additions to this list at this point.  I know I would certainly like to see Dashon Goldson on this list in the next 5-10 years.  Of course, he actually needs to stay healthy to make an impact on franchise history.  Let's hope he doesn't end up as wasted potential.

Merton Hanks (1991-1998): I'd like to think everyone remembers his "funky chicken dance."  Unfortunately I couldn't find video on YouTube, so you'll have to settle for a picture.  If you can find video, please post it.  Hanks was primarily known for that, but in reality he was a phenomenal safety, finishing 5th on the 49ers all-time INT list, and second among safeties.  Equally important was that Hanks knew he was the man at that position.  Hanks didn't have an especially long career, but from 1994-1997, he was one of the best free safeties in the NFL, going to the Pro Bowl all four seasons, earning all Pro honors once and finishing with 22 interceptions in that stretch.

Tim McDonald (1993-1999): McDonald combined with Merton Hanks to form a veteran duo in the defensive secondary, that was as good as any in the league.  McDonald was in his prime when the 49ers signed him away from the Cardinals and in his seven seasons with th 49ers he finished with 20 interceptions, good for 13th all time.  That's especially impressive given that he was a strong safety, a position that doesn't always end up with the high INT numbers and often slightly less athletic than the free safety.  McDonald was named to three Pro Bowl squads during his time with the 49ers.  One interesting note unrelated to his 49ers career is that he was one of six safeties named to the 1999 Walter Camp All-Century college football team (along with Ronnie Lott, among others).

Dwight Hicks (1979-1985): Hicks sits right behind Merton Hanks as sixth all-time on the 49ers INT list.  Although I was only two at the time, many people might remember him for a key early interception against the Bengals in Super Bowl XVI after the 49ers had already turned over the ball.  In seven season with the 49ers, Hicks returned three of his 30 interceptions for a touchdown.  And oddly enough (or maybe not?), he's even got a MySpace page.  I'd imagine it's real, since how many people would imitate Hicks on the Internet? (How ironic is that phrase after the Tim Rattay "incident?")  Since the end of his NFL career, Hicks has actually developed into quite the character actor.

Mel Phillips (1966-1977): Consider this the old-timers division.  Phillips spent 12 seasons with the 49ers and now is the secondary coach of the Dolphins.  He is listed as having 12 interceptions, but some of those older numbers are a little less reliable.

Tony Parrish (2002-2006): Parrish only spent 4+ seasons with the 49ers, but it's easy to forget how much of a badass he was in that limited time.  In his four full season with the 49ers, Parrish had 22 interceptions, enough to put him eighth on the all-time list.  He actually had 16 interceptions in his first two seasons, along with a pair of forced fumbles and 125 total tackles.  I was actually quite excited when the 49ers signed Parrish and for the first couple of seasons, he paid huge dividends.

Poll
Who should be our #2 safety?
Merton Hanks
438 votes
Tim McDonald
138 votes
Dwight Hicks
51 votes
Mel Phillips
8 votes
Tony Parrish
42 votes

677 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 26 comments |

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Merton Hanks for me

Why was the Chicken Dance so famous? Partially because it was so funny, and partially because he did it so often. Meaning that he got a lot of turnovers for us. The man was an absolute hawk at the position and always managed to find a way to get the ball.

And I’ve looked for a video of the dance on numerous occasions and I’ve never been able to find one. That is a travesty of epic proportions.

by jveezy on Jul 6, 2009 12:56 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Totaly cool

thanks bigdooky It has been some time,, I think what makes it really work is that Merton was rather slim and with that turtle neck thing, any way no one does that dance any better. and Beside he was one hell of a cover man, gets my vote

by WC-Ninerhead on Jul 6, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Brilliant

I’ve been looking for that for so long. Hope the video stays up.

by jveezy on Jul 6, 2009 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is especially hard

because I love Tim McDonald and Merton Hanks equally.

Hanks had 31 INTs in his 49er career, and very rarely missed action. Solid contributor, and always there to rely on.

In McDonald’s 7 years with the team, he missed a game once, starting every other game he appeared in. He had 20 INTs, not bad, but pretty good considering Merton had 31. These guys accounte for 51 INTs and were quite a duo from 1993-1998.

Can’t we just say both? If ever teammates relied on each other’s skill to succeed, it would be these two. They worked well together, and also made defenses pay for mistakes. McDonald was the hitter and Hanks was the glitter.

Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.

by Andrew Davidson on Jul 6, 2009 2:05 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

this

i went with McDonald.

and in his 4th season, VD broke through the wall, Niners fan rejoiced and all was well in the kingdom. Singletary 3:42

by 49erLou on Jul 6, 2009 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

McDonald

Was a better all-around safety. Ints are not the only thing you want out of a safety. When we wanted to completely plug a running gap, we called on McDonald. He was a built like a sh!t brickhouse. Hanks was like 185 dripping wet (but yes, an incredible turnover recover-er)…

by dartdart on Jul 7, 2009 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It was a great duo

I ended up voting McDonald on the poll, just to help his cause.

He was all business his career with the 49ers, always doing the dirty work.

Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.

by Andrew Davidson on Jul 7, 2009 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tony Parrish

Tony Parrish was a beast for us when he arrived. It’s too bad he never recovered from 2005’s broken leg (was that what happened?).

22 INTs in 5 seasons is awesome, especially from your SS.

Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.

by Andrew Davidson on Jul 6, 2009 2:07 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Dwight Hicks and the Hot Licks baby!

Love Hanks he was my second choice.

Fans stuck in the 80's are lame. Respect the past, live in the now.

by maveric_87 on Jul 6, 2009 2:47 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Hanks only had 1 more int than Hicks but Mcdonald had the hard hits

Fans stuck in the 80's are lame. Respect the past, live in the now.

by maveric_87 on Jul 6, 2009 3:07 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

It realy is a tough

call between the 3 but I went for Hanks becuase I thought that his special teams play added a bit more to his value… I have no issue with any of the three, Hanks also has the edge on the best dance… just trying to keep it light cause I don’t want to ruffle anyones feathers (chicken feathers that is) {:-)

by WC-Ninerhead on Jul 6, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hanks is a really nice guy too.

Haven’t met Hicks but I’’m sure he is as well. The dance was great.

Fans stuck in the 80's are lame. Respect the past, live in the now.

by maveric_87 on Jul 6, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It was a tough call between Hicks and Hanks

but I’m going with Merton Hanks. I just loved watching him play. All these guys were great for the niners and yes, I’m old enough that I even got to watch Mel Phillips play. The man was bad. You didn’t catch him out of position very often and he may not have had as many picks as the other guys, but he didn’t give up much yardage or big plays.

by biggdawg49 on Jul 6, 2009 3:07 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

My opinion is there’s no wrong choice between Hanks, McDonald, and Parrish. All three were fantastic. The other two guys I don’t know much about, so I’m ignoring them…

I'm thinking but nothing's happening.

by JRPhillips on Jul 6, 2009 3:49 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Hicks was a pro bowler

was the lone veteran in the defensive backfield that stated in 1981 (our first SB year) the other 3 were rookies ( Lott, Wright, Williamson from the draft) the 4 together were known as Dwight Hicks and the Hot Licks and if you know how Ronnie hit you will know were that came from. All 4 were in the pro-bowwl in 1984.

by WC-Ninerhead on Jul 6, 2009 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Parrish...

would’ve been a solid vote had he not been hurt so much and lasted longer w the team.

Fans stuck in the 80's are lame. Respect the past, live in the now.

by maveric_87 on Jul 6, 2009 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Are you guys kidding? Hanks over Hicks???

I bet many of you have forgotten (or just haven’t seen) the Forty Niners’ first Super Bowl. On the opening kickoff, there was a fumble, and Cincinnati recovered. Hicks, though, was able to intercept a Kenny Anderson pass and return it for a considerable gain, putting the Forty Niners’ offense back in business. If Cincinnati had scored, they would have won the game. Without Hicks, the Dynasty may not have taken place. Nothing against Hanks, but he was never put in a clutch situation to prove himself worthy.

by SSC24 on Jul 6, 2009 4:21 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

No not forgotten

 Hicks has unique place in forty niners history and even legend ( in my book anyway). I was there to see him play at all of the home home games in 1981 and he was a part of a very special team. Without him one could argue that the NINERS may not have won 13 games that yearand gone on to win the first super bowl in the teams history. That is why I would vote him to the Niners Hall of Fame.

All of that said, After the 81 season when he had 9 ints. his production droped off. I don’t believe it was because of his play, simply put he was overshadowed by the 3 very special rookies he mentored Lott, Williamson, Wright.

by WC-Ninerhead on Jul 6, 2009 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Merton

done

MURS for President!!!!!!!

by jtoj on Jul 6, 2009 6:55 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I agree with many of you

Tough choice for me between Hanks and McDonald. Just when I started being an NFL and 49ers fan, they were playing at the time so their names stuck with me. Can’t choose between them.

Thats funny that Hanks’ neck was long, but wasn’t McDonalds’ neck really short, I remember his shoulders always being pretty high.

Unfortunate that Tony Parrish didn’t stick around longer with us, I really liked him, and didn’t most of those interceptions amazingly come while he was wearing an arm cast!

by fortyniners on Jul 6, 2009 9:36 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I think that had Parrish played longer for the niners

he might have been a serious contender. too bad there were injuries…

too young to know much about Hicks beyond folklore but both Hanks and McDonald have special places in my heart. I think McDonald was the better leader but in all around play then Merton just edges him out. Plus that dance was better than anything neon deion ever did

by foosball4949 on Jul 6, 2009 10:03 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Chet Brooks needs some love

Obviously he is not one of the 49ers “greatest” all time safeties, but he was on the road to greatness when injury ended his career, just wanted to show some love because that guy knew how to deliver the whoo hits.

Too close to call between Hicks and Hanks, Hicks – 94 games 30 ints, Hanks 137 games 33 ints. Both were contributors to super bowl teams, Hicks was a bigger hitter but hanks had a better dance…yeah, call it a draw.

by Johnnysixnut on Jul 7, 2009 6:45 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

What about...

If we’re just going on potential obliterated by injury, Jeff Fuller needs to be on there. He suffered a horrendous neck injury and lost the use of one of his arms just as he was starting to step his game up to a high level. He might possibly have played as well as Tim McDonald had his body held up. Certainly had similar size and speed, and I can remember a couple of plays where he just absolutely obliterated ball-carriers.

by asleepinSF on Jul 7, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

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