Rice, Montana Near-Unanimous All-Pro Picks

Joe Montana and Jerry Rice of the San Francisco 49ers, the most successful passing combination in the NFL, were overwhelming choices for the Associated Press All-Pro team, announced Wednesday.

Rice, who made the team at wide receiver for the third consecutive season, had 69 of a possible 70 votes in balloting by sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NFL. Montana, having his best season statistically, received 68 1/2 votes.

The only Ram named was guard Tom Newberry. Newberry and Houston’s Bruce Matthews each received 34 votes in the closest balloting, with the Oilers’ Mike Munchak getting 32.

No Raiders were selected.

Two other 49ers, safety Ronnie Lott and kicker Mike Cofer, were voted to the team. Lott is the leader of the San Francisco defense that helped the defending Super Bowl champions to a league-best 14-2 record. Cofer led the NFL in scoring with 136 points.

The only other team with more than two players to make All-Pro was Philadelphia. The Eagles had defensive end Reggie White (11 sacks), cornerback Eric Allen (a league-high eight interceptions) and tight end Keith Jackson (63 receptions).

Joining Rice at wide receiver was Sterling Sharpe (90 receptions, 12 touchdowns), one of two Packers named. The other Packer was linebacker Tim Harris (19 1/2 sacks).

The Minnesota Vikings had two members of their top-rated defense, end Chris Doleman (a league-high 20 1/2 sacks) and tackle Keith Millard (18). They combined with linemates Al Noga and Henry Thomas as Minnesota led the NFL with 59 1/2 sacks.

Kansas City running back Christian Okoye, the NFL’s leading rusher with 1,480 yards, and Chief cornerback Albert Lewis also made the team.

Other teams with two All-Pros were Cincinnati with tackle Anthony Munoz and safety David Fulcher; Chicago with center Jay Hilgenberg and inside linebacker Mike Singletary; and the New York Giants with linebacker Lawrence Taylor and punter Sean Landeta.