clarinews@clarinet.com (WILLIAM D. MURRAY, UPI Sports Writer) (01/16/90)
SAN FRANCISCO (UPI) -- In the days following Super Bowl XXIII, it appeared as though the San Francisco 49ers had fallen victim to the same disease that has toppled nearly every champion in the sports world. It's called ``superstaritis.'' And it eats away at the very fabric of a championship team. But no sooner had Jerry Rice complained about a lack of endorsements than the malady subsided and the 49ers once again became a team. In fact, ``the team'' became the theme of San Francisco's season and nowhere was it more evident than in the 49ers 30-3 thumping of the Los Angeles Rams Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. The victory earned the 49ers another trip to the Super Bowl in two weeks against Denver. It's all you heard about in the lockerroom. Not how Joe Montana, Roger Craig, Ronnie Lott, Tim McKyer or Rice won the game, but how the 49ers won the game. ``I've got great people up front blocking for me,'' said Montana, who was not sacked in either NFC playoff game. ``The people catching the ball have great ability, but those guys up front really do the hard work.'' The 49ers' grinding offensive performance in the NFC playoffs personified San Francisco's teamwork concept. The offensive line, which relies on interchanging seven different players during the game, crushed both the Rams and Minnesota Vikings defensive line. The 49ers amassed 855 yards in total offense, rolled up 71 points and had eight players catch a pass in the championship game. ``Randy (Cross) left (retired after last year's Super Bowl) and we lost a lot of leadership,'' said center Jesse Sapolu. ``We went through a period of adversity after the Philadelphia game, but we were able to gel after that and provide the leadership collectively among the linemen.'' Guard Bruce Collie says the line has solidified because of its togetherness. ``We have eight guys who rotate in at five positions,'' Collie said. ``All eight of us know we have to give everything we have to make it work.'' Even Rice has given up the limelight for the team concept. While he caught six passes for 55 yards and kept the Rams defense busy all afternoon, it was his downfield blocking that played a key role in the victory. On nearly every long run, Rice was in the fray, holding off a cornerback. ``I take a lot of pride in my blocking,'' Rice said. ``I'll do whatever it takes for this team to win a game.'' Teamwork has also become a trademark of the 49ers defense -- a unit that has limited its opponents to just 16 total points and picked off seven passes in the two NFC playoff games. ``We've been playing good defense all along,'' said linebacker Matt Millen. ``We've played steady, consistent football. We don't have the personalities we had on the Raiders. We don't have name players like a Ted Hendricks or Lyle Alzados on this team. What we have is a great number of talented players who play together as a team.'' Even cornerback Tim McKyer, who made headlines last week by complaining about his lack of playing time, was talking teamwork after the game. ``It made me look like I was whining and complaining, and that I wanted the spotlight,'' McKyer said. ``But I didn't.'' As for the Super Bowl, Millen is taking a team approach to that also. ``I have a feeling the only team that can beat us is ourselves,'' he said.