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49ers All-time Guard #1

Training camp kicked into gear last week so I decided to take a week off from the all-time team balloting.  I'm still not quite sure what to do at inside/middle linebacker, so we're moving on to the rest of the offensive line this week.  We selected our second offensive tackle in Harris Barton, who took home 70% of the vote.  Today we move on to offensive guard.  As with most any other position, the 49ers have rolled out some very solid guards over their history.  The current guard tandem is Chilo Rachal and David Baas.  Baas has taken some time to develop and likely won't be in SF much longer given his pending free agency.  Rachal, on the other hand, moved into the starting lineup as a rookie and will hopefully be around for the foreseeable future.

Guy McIntyre (1984-1993): McIntyre joined Sapolu in the 80s and early 90s to form a whole mountain of protection.  McIntyre spent a little time at right guard, but made his bones as a left guard.  He won three Super Bowls, while earning five trips to the Pro Bowl.  Since retiring, McIntyre has helped out in training camps and currently serves as the Player Development Director for the 49ers.

Randy Cross (1976-1988): Cross spent a good chunk of his career at center, but his best years were at right guard.  Cross won three Super Bowls and earned three Pro Bowl appearances and six All-Pro selections.  Since retiring, Cross has worked as an analyst for NFL and college games.

John Ayers (1977-1986): Ayers continues the theme of outstanding offensive lineman in the 80s.  The offensive line was just as important to the West Coast offense as Joe Montana.  Ayers never made it to the Pro Bowl but that could be due in part to being overshadowed by the likes of Cross and McIntyre.  Sapolu, Cross and Ayers made for an impressive G-C-G.

Bruno Banducci (1946-1954): After being drafted by the Eagles, Banducci made his way to San Francisco in 1946, where he'd eventually earn a trip to the Pro Bowl and two All-Pro selections.  Aside from his outstanding guard play, I also have to include him because he actually had a punt return AND a kick return in 1947.  Not sure why that's important, but it's impressive nonetheless.

Woody Peoples (1968-1977): Offensive linemen play a physically grueling position and Peoples was a consistent force at right guard.  Peoples played 76 consecutive games without being injured at one point and earned two trips to the Pro Bowl, excelling as a pulling guard.

Poll
Who should be our All-Time #1 guard?
Guy McIntyre
295 votes
Randy Cross
225 votes
John Ayers
15 votes
Bruno Banducci
7 votes
Woody Peoples
16 votes

558 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 12 comments |

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Comments

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Needs moar Larry Allen

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Aug 10, 2009 1:34 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Mmmmm . . . no. If you add Jerry Rice to the All-Time Seahawk list than I will consider it.

by bignerd on Aug 10, 2009 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He did have a great 1-hander TD as a Seacock lol

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

by maveric_87 on Aug 10, 2009 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cross=Douche

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

by maveric_87 on Aug 10, 2009 2:56 PM PDT reply actions   1 recs

As an analyst, not a player.

by aBulldog on Aug 10, 2009 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Incase you forgot...

As a player he almost cost us a Super Bowl. Plus he’s the one who after he retired said the 9ers would never be great again. News flash A-Hole. They won 2 more without you!

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

by maveric_87 on Aug 10, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fooch...

what are we going to do with you? Bruno Banducci made 1st string on the Pro Bowl team five (5) times (1946,47,52, 53, and 54). He made it as 2nd string in 1951, and receive Honorable Mention in 48 and 49. Bruno was awesome. He had a quick motor and was very tough. He played at around 240, which wouldn’t cut it today. Knowing Bruno, he’d be playing somewhere though. Consistent and reliable, much like John Ayers — only more colorful.

Kezarvet

by kezarvet on Aug 10, 2009 4:35 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

link?

Do you have a link for that info? I got mine from his Pro Football Reference page. 49ers Webzone lists several others, but do you have another link with that info?

by Fooch on Aug 10, 2009 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I got it from 49er Webzone

but I clearly remember him making it in 52, 53, and 54

http://www.49erswebzone.com/alltimeprobowl.php

Kezarvet

by kezarvet on Aug 11, 2009 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Gotta go with the Guy

I originally went with Cross but Guy Mcintyre is still helping the team out. Still a 49er and thats awesome.

by Tony C on Aug 10, 2009 8:04 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Cross does have this

nice block on a drive that was… sort of important, which you can see at 1:25 here.
I know it isn’t that relevant to this discussion, but it is still nice to see.

by Red23 on Aug 10, 2009 8:07 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

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