FRISCO -- The San Francisco 49ers created an intersection of ability and opportunity in 1981.
It was risky -- starting three rookies in the defensive backfield -- but rewarding. The 49ers captured their first Lombardi Trophy that season.
The same scenario could be facing the Cowboys in 2017.
The 49ers were horrible in pass coverage in 1980. Only three teams allowed more yards passing than San Francisco and only four allowed more touchdowns. The opposition completed 66.1 percent of its passes, and the 49ers were able to intercept only 17 of them. That porous pass defense helped pave the way to a 6-10 finish.