![]() ![]() The same quartet was starting three years later when the 49ers won Super Bowl XIX as the league's first 15-1 team. They, along with Pro Bowl safety Dwight Hicks, combined for 23 interceptions that season. Future Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, safety Carlton Williamson and cornerback Eric Wright all stepped into starting roles as rookies in 1981, the first year San Francisco won the Lombardi Trophy. 49ers (1981-85): Joe Montana's ascendance is largely tied to the Niners' run of dominance, but the team's secondary played a huge role, too. But anchored on the back end by strong safety John Lynch and cornerback Ronde Barber - both may eventually wind up with busts - did any team run the "Tampa 2" more effectively? Maybe that's a better question for 2002 NFL MVP Rich Gannon, who was picked off five times by the Bucs in Super Bowl XXXVII, two apiece going to another pair of defensive backs, Dwight Smith and game MVP Dexter Jackson.ģ. Buccaneers (1997-2003): Naysayers may take issue with the bend-but-don't-break scheme. and so frightened the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX that Pittsburgh's Neil O'Donnell mostly threw at corner Larry Brown, who wound up with two picks and the MVP award.Ĥ. Teaming with all-pro safety Darren Woodson in Dallas for five years, Sanders won another ring. Prime Time teamed with Eric Davis, Tim McDonald and Merton Hanks on the champion 1994 49ers, who swiped a league-high 23 balls while allowing just 15 TDs. But how can we leave the best corner of all time - just ask him - off the list? Sanders helped the long downtrodden Falcons to the playoffs in 1991 playing alongside corner Tim McKyer and safety Brian Jordan. Deion Sanders in the 1990s: OK, we're fudging a bit here. Lombardi Packers (1961-69): A star-laden dynasty that won five championships in seven seasons boasted a pair of Hall of Fame defensive backs in corner Herb Adderley and safety Willie Wood, teammates for nine years who combined for 79 INTs during that stretch.ĥ. ![]() ![]() Pro Bowl safety Vann McElroy added an extra element in center field.Ħ. Raiders (1983-86): They get a slight nod over the '70s "Soul Patrol." Hall of Famer Mike Haynes may have been the final piece to the '83 Raiders' championship puzzle, joining the team late in the season and, along with Lester Hayes, forming one of the top corner duos the NFL has ever seen. Ward and Darian Stewart also got all-star nods during a time when Denver won the Super Bowl (2015 season) and twice led the league in pass defense (2015-16).ħ. Corners Aqib Talib and Chris Harris combined for seven Pro Bowls and safeties T.J. No Fly Zone Broncos (2014-17): About as good a bunch as you'll find over a four-year run. More: Ranking NFL backup QBs by team: Who has best contingency plan?Ĩ. ![]()
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