SUPER BOWL XXIX / SAN DIEGO CHARGERS vs. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS : DAILY REPORT : Chargers Dare Sanders to Make a Tackle

By T.J. SIMERS, MIKE DOWNEY, BOB OATES and STEVE SPRINGER

Jan. 29, 1995 12 AM PT

Most fans expect the Chargers to shy away from San Francisco cornerback Deion Sanders, but San Diego intends to come after him.

Sanders, who has kept his uniform clean throughout the postseason, is seldom tested by a passer. But the Chargers have noticed that there are only 10 49er defenders willing to make a tackle.

“We’re going to load up with two tight ends and hopefully get around the corner,” said Ralph Friedgen, Charger offensive coordinator. “Then No. 21 will have to make the tackle. I don’t think that’s in his contract.”

When linebackers Ken Norton and Gary Plummer joined the 49ers from the Dallas Cowboys and Chargers, respectively, they couldn’t believe there were so many “whiners” among the offensive unit.

When Norton and Plummer hit players in practice--particularly running back Ricky Watters--the tackled would throw the ball at the tackler in anger, according to Plummer.

“There was an awful lot of whining on that side of the ball,” Plummer said. “We asked him (Watters) if he wanted some cheese with that whine.”

Finally, Coach George Seifert called the offensive unit over and said, “You complained last year because we didn’t have tough enough players on defense. Now, we have tough guys. So shut up and play football.”

Plummer saw a difference after that.

“They stopped whining and crying,” he said, “and started producing.”

Want to win a championship: Hire Bart Oates.

Oates, the 49er center, won three USFL titles with the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars and two Super Bowls with the New York Giants.

San Francisco wide receiver John Taylor, who bristles at the suggestion he has lost a step, will undergo arthroscopic surgery on both knees after the Super Bowl.

“My knees are still hurting, but I’ve just got to deal with the pain for one more game,” Taylor, 32, said. “But I’m not ready to retire.”

San Diego center Courtney Hall, who has been playing since the third week of the season despite a torn triceps, plans to have surgery on his triceps, shoulder, ankle and knee.

Miami comedian Kevin Kataoka on the 49ers’ role as overwhelming favorites: “Eighteen and a half points? A Globetrotter game has a smaller spread.”

One advantage that the Chargers might normally have, their big-play offense, has been neutralized, in a sense, by the 49er secondary and its big-play defense.

Said San Francisco cornerback Toi Cook: “Our offense often has us up by two or three touchdowns. Then our situation is, don’t give up the big play, let them have some yards. The Chargers have beaten everybody with the big play, but I feel like we match up well against them.”

The Super Bowl ring is a symbol of supremacy. For some players, it’s something to be shown proudly and loudly. For others, it’s put away for special occasions.

Take San Francisco quarterback Steve Young and Oates. Both desperately want the ring today. But beyond that, their views differ.

Oates can’t wait to show his off. “If we win, I hope it’s the most gaudy ring ever,” he said. “I hope it’s so big it hurts the fingers on either side of it.”

Young would pick his spots. “I like to wear it when I see kids,” he said, “to show them what is possible. But I’m not going to wear it to get into a bar or a restaurant. That’s bogus.”

Quotation corner:

Young on the problem posed by San Diego’s defense: “More than anything, I think it’s the pressure they can bring with Junior Seau.”

Tim McDonald, 49er strong safety, on covering Jerry Rice in practice: “He runs every route like it’s a game. He makes it rough.”