#fred-warner

#fred-warner

I've got a chance, man. That's the plan, Warner said on NBC's pregame show before the 49ers' Sunday night showdown with the Chicago Bears. We're going to take this thing one day at a time. There's a whole lot of different steps. T's have to be crossed, I's have to be dotted in order to get there, but we're on the right track.

Warner was asked if he could name the three off-ball linebackers who have won the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year Award. Before the question is even fully asked, Warner rattled off the names: Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher and Luke Kuechly. At the time, Warner had a small fracture in his ankle but was still playing near his usual, All Pro level. Warner believed he was playing the best football of his career in a season where nothing went right for the 49ers.

New teammates are swirling around him. He is not calm, however. He is All-Pro Fred, and that means he is hollering, hustling, and huddling up with intensity. "He's still the one out there chirping and yelling and screaming and getting everybody pumped up," defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said. "So, he hasn't changed in that regard. The game hasn't jaded him, if that makes sense."