Who ya got: 1994 Defense vs 2011 Defense

merm49 · 2011-11-22T12:21:30-08:00

I stayed up way too late last night on youtube watching videos of the 49ers' epic 1994 season. That's the only Superbowl team I remember, and watching some of the NFL films features on the team really emphasized just how dominant that team was. I know we had Steve at QB (I don't remember Joe) but that offense was downright scary with Waters, Floyd, Rice, Taylor, Jones, et. al catching passes and Shanahan calling the plays. One could make a reasonable argument for the '94 offense being the best of the five Superbowl teams; I contend that, at the least, it was the most dangerous in terms of quick-strike capability. But what really caught my attention was just how downright nasty the D was that year. Save for the meltdown vs. Philly, they just killed teams all year. I was a little surprised looking at the stats on profootball reference that they only ranked 6th overall in Defense that year (2nd vs. the run, but stunningly 17th vs the pass, which I attribute to the fact that we were beating teams so handily they were forced to throw all game long in hopes of getting back in the game). We also know that this year's D is pretty sick as well, and, like '94, we boast arguably the best defensive player in the league in Willis, plus a blooming superstar in Bowman and the always great Smith. But, from a pure lineup standpoint, what D would you take? Looking at some of the big-time names, I think I'm partial to '94. Boasting DPOY Neon Deon, the DB has to be one of the best ever assembled with Sanders and Davis at corner and McDonald and Hanks at safety (I loved the both our S in the 90s). This year's linebacking corps is very strong, and certainly Willis and Bowman are both playing at a superstar level above any of the '94 LBs, but Gary Plummer, Lee Woodall, Ken Norton, with Kevin MItchell as a pass-rusher is beastly all around. Up front, we had Young and Stubblefield dominating fools and HOFers Richard Dent and Rickey Jackson (albeit at the end of their careers) at DE. That's a starting 11 composed entirely of big-name players. What do you think?

Nov 22, 2011 at 12:27 PM

Bryant4everYoung
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Posts: 4,584

Ask this at the end of the season. Otherwise 1994 D= SB/ 2011 D= ?

Nov 22, 2011 at 12:29 PM

global_nomad
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Posts: 14,827

Nobody's Got it Better than us in 2011!

Nov 22, 2011 at 12:33 PM

Marvin49
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Posts: 16,506

'94

....but for 1 reason only.

Deion. Hate his Niner attitude now, but he had his best season as a pro in '94. The entire secondary was better that year

This years LBs are better and the D-Line is a push.

Nov 22, 2011 at 12:34 PM

WildBill
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Posts: 6,223

I will get back to you when the season is over. However, based on 10 games, #1 in turn over ratio, against the run. and points allowed. This defense is better. Steve Young and company would have set single season records that cause they would get short field and often get the ball back often. With a big lead, the defense can then pin its ear back and cause more pressure and TO by sacks that results in fumbles and interceptions. The superbowl record he set for TDs in game would have gone from 6-8 in my filed of dreams.

Nov 22, 2011 at 12:36 PM

crabman82
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Posts: 17,024

Originally posted by Marvin49:
'94

....but for 1 reason only.

Deion. Hate his Niner attitude now, but he had his best season as a pro in '94. The entire secondary was better that year

This years LBs are better and the D-Line is a push.

i agree, deion literally shut down half the field that year, 7 picks, 3 tds and he didnt even play all 16, was also the first cb in decades to win DPOY award

[ Edited by crabman82 on Nov 22, 2011 at 12:36 PM ]

Nov 22, 2011 at 12:36 PM

Jesu80ncleats
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Posts: 2,527

Originally posted by Bryant4everYoung:
Ask this at the end of the season. Otherwise 1994 D= SB/ 2011 D= ?

This

Nov 22, 2011 at 12:44 PM

susweel
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Posts: 122,239

I take 94 that defense was stacked with pro bowlers at every level.

Nov 22, 2011 at 12:45 PM

zillabeast
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That 1994 secondary would pick Rodgers off 11 times.

Nov 22, 2011 at 12:46 PM

RayWersching
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Posts: 216

94 team was stacked with players who came here for lower salaries to win a Super Bowl. Only question was whether we could beat the Cowboys. Well, in the biggest game, the NFC Championship, the defense scored points and won that game. 94 defense is it for me. I sharted when we got that pick 6.

Nov 22, 2011 at 12:48 PM

#10

thedude
Veteran
Posts: 827

I love our defense this year, but I think our secondary was better at every position in '94 - Eric Davis, Deion Sanders, Merton Hanks, Tim McDonald - that's not even fair.

Nov 22, 2011 at 12:50 PM

#11

lamontb
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Posts: 33,523

1994 was better without a question. That secondary was on another level.

Nov 22, 2011 at 1:04 PM

#12

SanFranAddic
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Posts: 3,419

Sanders takes the 1994 squad over the top, but imagine how good our D should be next year.

In 2012 the 49ers will be the first NFL franchise to win games by forfeit.

Nov 22, 2011 at 1:08 PM

#13

Next9erDynasty
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Posts: 75

If you want to see a secondary that was on another level, watch some re-plays of the 1984 Niners. Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Dwight Hicks, and Carlton Williamson were all selected to the Pro Bowl that year.

Nov 22, 2011 at 1:11 PM

#14

SonocoNinerFan
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Posts: 17,610

The 94 team wins this comparison, but I think the 1989 unit is the best team defense in 49er history. It was stocked with Lott & Haley plus other great players from Walsh's epic 1986 draft who were coming into their own. They were nearly impenetrable during the stretch run and allowed only 9 points per game during the playoffs.

End of season rankings for the 89 unit:

Total Yards: 288.6 (4th)
Rushing Yds: 86.4 (3rd)
Passing Yds: 202.2 (11th)
Points per game: 15.8 (3rd)

[ Edited by SonocoNinerFan on Nov 22, 2011 at 1:15 PM ]