Passage: The free agents enabled the 49ers to jump from the 18th-ranked defense in the league to the 8th, and to jump from the leagues 16th-best defense against the run to the 2nd. Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dana Stubblefield led the team with 8.5 sacks. Rookie defensive tackle Bryant Young was also a big threat to opposing quarterbacks and rushers, recording 42 tackles, 6 sacks, and a fumble recovery. Behind them, Norton played very effectively at the middle linebacker position, leading the team with 77 tackles and recording an interception. Pro Bowl safety Merton Hanks led the team with 7 interceptions for 93 return yards, while Sanders had 6 interceptions for 303 return yards and 3 touchdowns, earning him the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. His 303 return yards was the third-highest total in NFL history, while his touchdown returns of 74, 93, and 90 yards made him the first player ever to have two 90-yard interception returns in one season. Pro Bowl safety Tim McDonald was also a big contributor, recording 2 interceptions for 79 yards and a touchdown.
How many combined return yards did Merton Hanks and Sanders have in all? How many interceptions did Merton Hanks and Sanders have in all? How many more interceptions did Merton Hanks have than Tim McDonald? How many more return yards did Sanders have compared to Hanks in the Pro Bowl? How many more return yards did Sanders have compared to Merton Hanks? How many more return yards did Sanders have than Merton Hanks? How many more sacks did Stubblefield have than Bryant Young? How many more tackles did Norton have compared to Young? How many more tackles did Norton have than Bryant Young? How many more yards was the 90 yard touchdown return from the lowest touchdown around 70? How many of Merton Hanks touchdown returns were 90 years or above? How many places did the 49ers jump in defense in the league? How many places did the 49s jump in the defese again the run? How many ranks of defense in the league did the free agents help the 49ers move up? How many touchdown returns over 80 yards did Sanders have in one season? Which player had more touchdowns in the Pro Bowl, Tim McDonald or Sanders? Who accomplished less tackles, Bryant Young or Norton? Who had more interceptions in the Pro Bowl, Merton Hanks or Sanders? Who recorded more sacks, Dana Stubblefield or Bryant Young?