EDITOR'S NOTE ELECTION DAY 8:05AM: Seeing as it's election day and things could come down to the wire, it seemed appropriate to throw out one last appeal for votes on our #2 Wide Receiver. As of this re-posting, Taylor leads TO by a mere 2 votes. I feel it's your civic duty to vote on this position! I had thoughts on an election-related post but thought of it too recently and ran out of time. So, vote for your #2 wide receiver, and of course, try and vote in real life.
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It's been quite some time since we voted on the Niners Nation All-Time Team. The last vote was August 20 for the #2 inside linebacker. Speaking of which, the winner of that was Gary Plummer. For those who have joined the site more recently, we started putting together a starting lineup of all-time 49ers, as voted on by all of us. On the front page of the site, the currently voted on roster is on the left side of the screen. Since we've got a bye this week, I thought now was a perfect time to start this back up.
Today, I thought we'd move on to our #2 all-time wide receiver. We all know who will be the #1 receiver and I wanted to start back up with something people could vote on. There are some very qualified nominees, and of course, one particularly controversial option. Some very deserving nominees (Freddie Solomon among others) were left off the ballot, but we really can't have everybody.
Terrell Owens (1996-2003): Oh TO, TO, TO. If we were just considering stats and natural ability, I personally think Terrell Owens would be the hands down #2 guy in 49ers history. He's #2 in franchise history in receptions, yards and touchdowns behind Jerry Rice and made one of the more well known catches in team history against the Packers in the playoffs. He had issues with drops, but unlike a guy like Randy Moss, he didn't take plays off and busted his ass. Of course, there is that other part of TO. That would be the fact that when he left he was despised by many 49ers fans, including yours truly. My hatred has tempered with time and it's gotten to the point where I can separate the talented WR from the troubled individual. I'm not saying you have to in making this vote because this is somewhat a popularity contest. Rather, consider whatever you like in making your vote.
Dwight Clark (1979-1987): Clark made probably the most famous Catch in 49ers history, and in fact it probably ranks pretty high in NFL history. Clark was drafted the same year as Joe Montana and was a key part of the resurgence of the 49ers. He stands 4th in team in history in receptions, 3rd in yards and 6th in touchdowns.
John Taylor (1987-1995): Taylor made arguably the second most famous catch in 49ers history, the game-winner against the Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII. Taylor currently stands 8th or better in franchise history in receptions, yards and touchdowns. And, of course, he holds the pre-eminent spot as second banana to Jerry Rice.
Billy Wilson (1951-1960): Wilson stands 6th in receptions, 5th in yards and 5th in touchdowns. Wilson was a 6-time Pro Bowler waaaaay back in the day and stands as the first great receiver in 49ers history. In fact, a look at comparable NFL receivers in the NFL opens the argument that Wilson should in fact be a Hall of Famer.
Gene Washington (1969-1977): Today's fans might recognize Gene Washington as the man who introduces draft choices after the first round, as Director of Football Operations for the NFL. Before entering the league office, Washington was a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All Pro with the 49ers. He finished his time with the 49ers 7th in team history in receptions, 4th in yards and 3rd in touchdowns.