Kwon Alexander and Fred Warner offered up their assessments of the San Francisco 49ers linebackers unit heading into the 2020 season, and they expect to see a significant improvement in their second season together.
Alexander confirmed he underwent offseason surgery on his bicep after the Super Bowl. It wasn't hurting at the time, though, and the sixth-year linebacker is feeling "legendary" right now. He feels more comfortable with the defense now that he has a little experience playing within it, and feels that will pay dividends in his second season with the 49ers.
"I feel legendary right now," Alexander said via Zoom on Sunday. "I'm just happy. I'm ready to go. It's my second year under the defense. It's starting to get easier. I'm starting to pick stuff up a lot faster, especially at my keys and stuff, so I'm starting to read stuff faster."
Alexander said he has been working hard this offseason to fine-tune his coverage skills. That meant picking the brains of some old teammates and implementing their feedback into his game. Linebackers coach DeMeco Ryans has also been helping him.
"I'm just ready to go when it's time, and I'm going to be ready," Alexander added.
Alexander believes everyone will be better heading into the 2020 season. That includes third-year linebacker Fred Warner.
"He's so smart," Alexander said of his teammate. "You all might not get to see it, but he's so smart. He calls a lot of stuff out. He's been dominating. He's getting better and better every year. ... He's improved a lot, especially from last year, that he's going to be way better this year than last year. I can see it. I just can't wait to get out there with him and get it going and setting the tone with him."
While Warner appreciates the compliments, he made sure on Sunday to point out that he has similar opinions of Alexander.
"Kwon, he's the smart one," Warner said. "I mean, he's a savvy vet. He's been in the game for a long time now. Not only does he bring the juice, and you see him make those slash plays, he's on his job. He's seen a lot of ball, so he's been able to anticipate a lot of what the offense is trying to do, and that's why he's such a big part of what we do on defense.
"When I'm out there with him, this being my second year with him on the field, things are moving a lot faster with me and him. We're able to talk to each other, and it's kind of an unspoken language out there between me and him."
Add Dre Greenlaw, and you have the potential for a punishing trio on defense. The second-year linebacker had to fill in last season after Alexander suffered a torn pectoral muscle, missing the last eight games of the regular season but returning for the playoffs.
"Everything is just moving slow to him now," Alexander said of Greenlaw. "He's still a baller. He's always going to be a baller. He's making plays out there on the field at practice. ... He's been grinding. I can see it in the film room. He's getting smarter. He's picking up stuff a lot faster.
"He's going to be himself. He's going to go out there and do his thing. He a dog."
Added Warner: "You talk about Kwon and Dre, they both bring so much to this defense, not only as players but as leaders to this team. Dre, as a young guy, you can tell guys are looking at him this season, seeing the way he works."