Fred Warner’s return has been one of the biggest reasons for optimism around the 49ers, and Luke Gifford says the linebacker’s greatness is obvious long before the ball is snapped.
Gifford, who is back alongside Warner, didn’t hold back when describing what it’s like to watch him work every day. Speaking on Fair & Based with John Lund, he said, "The only reason it doesn't amaze me is because I get to see him every day, and the way he works and goes about his business," Gifford said on Fair & Based with John Lund.
"Honestly, he's the best football player I've ever been on the field with. It's pretty cool to be able to see him do things the way he does and then have it translate to the field."
For Gifford, nothing Warner does comes out of nowhere. He pointed to the linebacker’s constant pressure on the football and the way that shows up in practice long before it shows up on Sundays.
"Nothing really surprises me about that guy. He makes plays like that every day in practice. Specifically punching the ball out, that's something that he literally does on every rep.
"We had a punch-out counter in our linebacker room this year during camp to see who threw the most punches at the ball, and Fred won by about 40, I think. So, that's just who he is.
"And it's funny. We always joke about the coaches aren't counting our punches.
We're like, 'There's no way. That's not even possible.'
But sure enough, Fred always wins, and it's no surprise that he does what he does on the field, because he truly is just one of the best, for sure."
That kind of praise fits the way Warner has built his reputation. The 49ers linebacker missed time after a season-ending ankle injury in Week 6 last season, and his absence, along with Nick Bosa’s, left a huge hole even as San Francisco still made the playoffs.
Warner would have been available if the 49ers had reached the NFC Championship Game, but their season ended in the Divisional Round with a 41-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
His return also comes with a fresh jolt of importance for a defense with some uncertainty around it. Warner wasted little time reminding everyone what he means to the team, passing Patrick Willis in Week 1 to become the franchise’s all-time leader in total tackles.
Now in what should be the prime stretch of his career, Warner looks ready for another big run if he can stay healthy. He had been incredibly durable before last season, and the way he attacked his recovery suggests he’s determined to keep an injury like that from slowing him down again.
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