In the latest episode of “you can take the NFL out of San Diego, but you can’t take the San Diego out of the NFL,” we check on the closest version to Junior Seau this region has produced since Seau graduated from Oceanside High School in 1988.
San Marcos’ Fred Warner will turn 27 Sunday.
He may want to save his wind by blowing out just one birthday candle.
In light of the exhaustive tests coming, the 49ers’ All-Pro linebacker would welcome a less-stressful victory Sunday over the Buccaneers in Santa Clara.
Just four days after attempting to dismiss the 10.5 point-underdog Bucs, the Niners (6-3) will play in Seattle against a Seahawks club (6-3) that shares the NFC West lead with them.
A Thursday night road game is one of the toughest physical challenges in the NFL. Playing almost every defensive snap, it’s especially demanding for Warner.
Yet it figures to get tougher for the Mission Hills High School gradiate the following week. San Francisco plays at Philadelphia in a much-awaited, nationally televised contest on Dec. 3.
Warner will try to stop the NFL’s most unstoppable run play: Jalen Hurts’ perfectly timed, powerful sneaks behind the NFL’s best offensive line as other Eagles push Hurts forward.
Because the Eagles almost always get the necessary short yardage, they correctly view first down as first-and-9.
These “Brotherly Shove” and “Tush Push” plays the Eagles have perfected belong in the conversation for most reliable short-yard runs in NFL history. No wonder the Eagles (8-1) lead the NFL in first downs and both fourth-down conversions and fourth-down success rate.
Directing a 49ers defense that’s first in points, interceptions and turnover percentage, Warner will bring All-Pro bona fides to these tests.
He figures out offenses fast, in large part because he has played in all 99 of San Francisco’s games — including three NFC title matches and a Super Bowl — since entering the NFL in 2018. In each of his six seasons, he has logged at least 94 percent of the defense’s snaps.
San Francisco linebacker Fred Warner answers questions from reporters after last week’s game.
(Phelan M. Ebenhack / Associated Press)
It’s a race against time for Warner now.
Can his body withstand playing up to 21 games per year in six consecutive seasons? Will he lose a step in pass coverage?
Warner’s rare fitness, dating to his training season a decade ago with Seau’s son Tyler on Oceanside’s beaches, gives him an edge as opponents test the 6-foot-3 1/2, 230-pounder in pass D more than ever and farther downfield than ever.
He has responded with three interceptions, already a career-best. But the 75.6-percent completion is his second-highest allowed.
San Diego’s John Lynch Jr. isn’t taking Warner for granted.
The Niners GM knows him well, having drafted the former BYU star in the third round before making him the highest-paid off-ball linebacker in NFL history.
Providing Warner needed support, Lynch signed former Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave last offseason. Hargrave bullied Jaguars blockers last week in a 34-3 road victory that ended the 49ers’ three-game losing streak.
Rounding into form, the 30-year-old Hargrave seems more equipped than most defenders to stymie the Brotherly Shove.
Not done pursuing the franchise’s sixth Super Bowl victory, Lynch recently traded a sixth-round pick for Broncos edge rusher Randy Gregory and a third-round pick for Commanders edge rusher Chase Young.
Quarterbacking the front will be Warner. He seems headed to his third All-Pro team and fourth NFC title game in five years.
Notable
In their long-shot bid to weather a tough schedule and reach the playoffs, the Bills are featuring rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid, who spent two seasons at the University of San Diego. Kincaid is second on the team with 45 receptions. His catch rate of 88.2 percent leads Bills players who have at least 20 catches.
Don’t rule out RB Rashaad Penny (SDSU) helping the Eagles in coming weeks. He’s fresh, having appeared in just two games — the home opener and the victory over the Cowboys two Sundays ago. It’s been perhaps the healthiest four-month stretches in his NFL career. Penny has just five carries for 18 yards.
Since replacing injured All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick in the Steelers’ starting lineup, free safety Damontae Kazee (SDSU) has played every defensive snap. The Steelers (6-3) won both games. Kazee has two interceptions in three games since entering for Fitzpatrick.
