Hanks Finally Finds His Place Safety Leads 49ers Defense Against Seahawks Tonight
After shuttling from one secondary position to another, Merton Hanks enjoyed a breakthrough season at free safety last year. He’s giving every indication there are more big plays to come.
Hanks led the San Francisco 49ers with seven interceptions and went to his first Pro Bowl after the 1994 campaign. He’ll have one more chance to practice his play-making knack, in tonight’s exhibition finale against Seattle before settling in and starting a season at free safety for the first time in his five-year career.
“He has the instincts back there that you want to have so I don’t want him to play anything else,” San Francisco coach George Seifert said.
Hanks, who joined San Francisco as a fifth-round pick out of Iowa in 1991, was primarily a nickel back in his first two seasons and began each of the last two years at corner before finishing both campaigns at free safety in place of Dana Hall.
He didn’t become entrenched in the position until a month into last season, after San Francisco signed Deion Sanders to play corner, freeing Hanks to return to his natural position.
Hanks joined strong safety Tim McDonald to form one of the best secondary tandems in the league - both went to the Pro Bowl, along with Sanders.
“I have an intense belief I’m the best free safety in the league,” Hanks said. “I feel I have to prove it every week.”
That includes exhibition games. Hanks, who had two goal-line interceptions of Troy Aikman in the first of two victories over Dallas last season, has picked up where he left off, with four interceptions and a touchdown in four exhibitions.
Game notes
Seattle starters are expected to play about a half. Five positions remain open - tight end, fullback, left guard, left defensive end and middle linebacker - but that they would be finalized based in part on what he sees in the last exhibition.
Against Seattle (2-1), the 49ers (2-2) will be without five starters: offensive tackles Harris Barton (calf bruise) and Steve Wallace (knee) and fullback William Floyd (knee). Linebackers Gary Plummer (groin strain) and Lee Woodall (stomach flu) also will miss the last tuneup game.