Warner looking forward to facing college foe Allen
Fred Warner compiles a detailed scouting report on quarterbacks.
The 49ers’ draft- crazed fans would prefer to learn Warner’s analysis of Zach Wilson, a hot quarterback prospect at Warner’s alma mater, BYU.
Warner’s immediate task, however, is preparing for a rematch with Josh Allen, who’s quarterbacked the Buffalo Bills to an 8-3 record entering Monday night’s game against the 49ers (5-6).
Warner was at BYU and Allen at Wyoming when they ended their 2016 seasons in San Diego’s Poinsettia Bowl. BYU won 24-21. Warner made 10 tackles, and Allen threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions that rainy night.
Now in Year 3 of their NFL careers, Warner and Allen are flourishing.
“He’s always had that strong arm that everybody’s talked about, but he has continued to progress as a true NFL quarterback,” Warner said via video conference from Glendale, Ariz., where the 49ers have relocated this month amid Santa Clara County’s ban on contact sports.
Knee and ankle injuries could limit Allen’s mobility, but the central California native from Firebaugh is a much more accurate passer in Year 3. He is completing 68.8% of his passes, 10% more than last year.
In 2019, Allen was 271 of 461 for 3,089 yards, 20 TDs and nine inter
ceptions as Buffalo went 10-6.
This year, with Stefon Diggs to target, Allen is 267 of 388 for 3,028 yards, 22 TDs and eight interceptions.
“He’s going through his reads and making big-time throws,” Warner said. “And obviously as a runner, that’s something you have to account for. He is such a big guy and he can shake off tacklers.”
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh called Allen “a young Cam Newton,” signifying how his big body (6-foot-5, 237 pounds) is to tackle, be it on the run or in the pocket.
“He’s a load to tackle,” Saleh said.
“They run him like a Wildcat offense, just snap the ball and run power with him, which is surprising. More guts than I would with a franchise quarterback, but he makes it work.”
Allen grew up rooting for the 49ers and idolizing Steve Young. Last year, Allen met Joe Montana in a promotional appearance for junior golf at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Monday night, Allen will oppose Nick Mullens, who will make his fourth straight start in place of Jimmy Garoppolo.
COURTING SALEH >> Michigan lawmakers are stumping for Saleh to come coach his hometown Detroit Lions. That sure is sporty of them, a bipartisan huddle of 36 House legislators who penned a letter to Lions ownership after last weekend’s firings of coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn.
What does Saleh think of that paper trail?
“It’s really a non-issue for me,” Saleh said. “I don’t even see it. I don’t have social media or look at the news, so it’s more for friends and family that are enjoying it and getting a kick out of it than it is for me. I’m just completely locked into Buffalo.”
What makes Saleh — a Dearborn, Mich., native — so appealing to the Lions and other coaching vacancies next month is how, with his vibrant energy and clever schemes, he’s kept the 49ers defense at a high-ranked level despite players parading to the Injured Reserve list.
AIYUK’S COMEBACK >> Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk said his positive COVID-19 test result two weeks ago made it especially hard on him to stay away from his family, as well as stay away from the 49ers. He did not travel to Sunday’s game in Los Angeles but got cleared Wednesday to accompany the 49ers to Arizona.
“Having a true positive test, the first thing you think about is your family and who you’ve been around, and not being able to see them,” Aiyuk said. “Second is not being able to do what you love and your new family, which is my teammates.
“But that was two weeks ago and we’re back to playing this week against Buffalo.”
Aiyuk, having missed a Nov. 5 loss to Green Bay while on COVID-19 reserve as a high-risk contact, will have played only one game over 35 days before he faces the Bills.
“I got some time off to take care of my body and other things as well, so I feel fresh mentally and physically,” Aiyuk said.
ADJUSTING TO ARIZONA >> Cornerback Richard Sherman is among the coaches and players pleased with their new settings, but he also expressed remorse about having to leave the Bay Area in terms of community relations.
“People are out there losing jobs and houses and have huge issues. We’re sorry for the County of Santa Clara, that we can’t do more when (we) get kicked out,” Sherman said. “There’s so many guys that are active in the community, and holidays are coming up, and we can’t go back and give gifts and help people in need.”
SAMUEL FULL GO >> Wide receiver Deebo Samuel was a full participant in practice Friday after getting the previous day off to rest last month’s hamstring strain. Only cornerback K’Waun Williams (ankle) did not practice.
MOSELEY IN MIDDLE >> Emmanuel Moseley’s move from starting at outside cornerback to covering slot receivers is something the 49ers are “very comfortable” with heading into Monday’s matchup against Cole Beasley. Limited in practice this week by a hamstring issue, Moseley makes sense sliding inside, where the 49ers received outstanding play from Williams and Jamar Taylor before their injuries. “Moseley has proven time and time again he’s a reliable player who can win more often than not,” Saleh said.