"He's probably the greatest quarterback that has played the game," said San Francisco coach George Seifert And Seifert isn't one to brag. In fact, Seifert brags about as often as Montana throws interceptions, which isn't much.

The fact of the matter is, these San Francisco 49ers are very, very good at what they do.

The greatest team ever?

Terry Bradshaw didn't seem to think so. In the CBS Super Bowl pre-game show, the former two-time Super Bowl MVP for the Steelers argued: "Would the Steelers beat the 49ers? What do you want me to say? Of course they would."

But what if? What if the Niners do win a record third-straight Super Bowl next year? Would that raise them to "greatest team ever" status? Would they, in effect, be undeniably "better" than even the Steelers?

Maybe only four in a row would silence the detractors and satiate the Niners' appetites.

The truth is, however, that the quest for immortality of a sort is imbued with inherent irony. Ironic because champions are never satisified with their achievements.

The question, "Are the 49ers the greatest team ever?" might be answered--if not convincingly then for the moment--based upon whether the team fulfills its self-instilled mission to "three-peat".

Even for the 49ers, it's "wait 'til next year."