The Niners were more of a mercenary defensive force. But Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott was a constant. As were Pro Bowl nosetackle Michael Carter and long-time linebacker Kenna Turner.
The coaches and the quarterbacks were, of course, also key.
Hall of Famers Bill Walsh, Joe Gibbs, and eventual Hall of Famers Bill Parcells and his defensive guru Bill Belichick are all-time coaching greats. The Bears had Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka and a blitzing Buddy Ryan running the defense.
Joe Montana lifted the 49ers above their rivals. The Redskins switched quarterbacks, while Jim McMahon and Phil Simms had injury issues at various times in their careers.
Montana was the key to the dynasty. Place him on the Bears or Giants, and it makes all the difference.
Still, even with Steve Young on the bench, sometimes the 49ers were dispatched.
Bill Walsh once said the 1987 49ers was his best team, and it broke his heart when the talented Minnesota Vikings upset them in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The following week, the Minnesota Vikings were barely beat by the soon-to-be Super Bowl champion Redskins, when Darrell Green made a key stop on a Viking goal-line pass late in the game.
Big players make big plays.
The Giants, in 1986, brutalized Montana in the Meadowlands 49-3, and then beat them with a field goal in 1990, when Lawrence Taylor recovered a Roger-Craig fumble late in the game with the Niners leading.
Great games. Great teams. Hall of Fame player line upped against Hall of Fame player. Perennial Pro Bowler against perennial Pro Bowler. Veteran on veteran.
John Riggins running at Mike Singletary. Lawrence Taylor battling Joe Jacoby. Ronnie Lott locked up on Mark Bavaro. Speedster Darrell Green man-to-man with Willie Gault.
Dan Hampton and Steve McMichael stunting against Russ Grimm and Jeff Bostic. Richard Dent rushing Joe Montana. Phil Simms dodging Monte Coleman. Jim Burt wrestling Randy Cross.
Walter Payton colliding with Harry Carson. Jerry Rice streaking down field against Gary Fencik. Michael Carter battling with Jay Hilenberg and Mark Bortz. Art Monk angling for an out pattern against Dwight Hicks.
Charles Mann and Dexter Manly fighting on the flanks against Jimbo Covert and Keith Van Horne. "Big" Dave Butz stuffing Roger Craig. Wilbur Marshall and Otis Wilson chasing "Little" Joe Morris.
Fans knew their teams better then. Before the frenzy of free agency. Players stayed and became legends in their cities.
Todays players change teams so often fans forget what player is on what team from one year to the next. Faces are in flux. Every year teams are restocked with new names wearing old numbers.
Teams were better before free agency. There was more cohesion, continuity. There was more teamwork. Veterans were playing beside veterans.
Players made a cash bonanza in free agency. Owners made mints. The league grew, but it didn't get better.
The quality of play got much worse.
The lack of stability, particularly along the offensive line, made developing a quarterback more of a challenge. The ability to sit a rookie quarterback behind a veteran is gone in this win-now game.
As is the quarterback's ability to develop a rapport with veteran wide receivers and tight ends, as they change yearly on most teams.
No longer do the great defenses stay together.
Defensive front-sevens don't last forever. Sometimes not even two years in a row anymore.
The Bears and Giants' defenses of the 1980s' would be quickly dismantled by free agency. Each team would only be able to pay one, star linebacker, and perhaps two defensive lineman. The gap would be filled by rookies, low-priced journeymen, or untested young players.
The Hogs would be sent to market. Steve Young would split sooner from Montana.
Do you keep Russ Grimm or Joe Jacoby? Charles Mann or Dexter Manley? Richard Dent or Dan Hampton? Carl Banks or Harry Carson? John Taylor or Roger Craig? Wilbur Marshall or Otis Wilson? Mark Bavaro or Joe Morris? Jeff Bostic or Mark May? Jimbo Covert or Jay Hilenberg?
Those questions would ruin a general manager's day.
Cap space must be cleared.
The quality of the play drops dramatically around the league.
Parity is Paul Tagliabue's lasting gift to the fans.
Though smaller and slower, the elite teams of the '80s would dominate today's superstar, self-centered game.
In the end, it's about the team. The best team wins.
But the best teams aren't around anymore.
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