Niners Nation
49ers’ no-name defense produces no-doubt dominance in victory (paywall)
““I’m a big believer in my abilities on the football field and not letting nobody or nothing shame me from that,” said Brown, a 13-game starter last season. “God has timing for all of us, and tonight was my time.”
Warner, the perpetual voice of reason for the 49ers defense, showed up in crutches — minus the scooter — as a sign of progress in his recovery from a fractured ankle. But his teammates have slowly begun to shape a new identity with their anchor unlikely to return this season.
His backup at middle linebacker, Tatum Bethune, missed the first of what could be a multi-game absence due to a high ankle sprain. That paved the way for Robinson to make his first career start. The moment held special significance for the fifth-year player. About 20 minutes after being told he would start over former 49ers linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles in Week 4 last season, Robinson tore his ACL in practice.
Robinson said he tried not to let the sentiment of his Monday start supersede the team during the week. But it was difficult.
“I mentioned this to the defense last night, it’s been really difficult this whole week for me not to really kind of reflect on the whole journey, and kind of just keep it about the team, keep it about the defense, because it was a huge moment for me,” Robinson said.
“I’m grateful, more than I could ever explain.”
49ers’ Kyle Shanahan defends Brock Purdy after three interceptions: ‘Just a hair late’ (paywall)
“He said several players, including fullback Kyle Juszczyk and Kittle, approached him after the miscues and urged him to stay aggressive and “keep swinging.”
“After the second one, I just said, ‘Dude, just take a deep breath, man’” Kittle said. “You’ve been here, you’re good. Just breathe, let it out, move on to the next play. That’s it. He’s a professional. He knows what he’s doing.”
Still, Purdy acknowledged it was difficult to keep pushing the ball down the field when his most ambitious throws kept winding up in the Panthers’ hands.
“Yeah, it’s tough,” he said. “Mentally, as a quarterback, you want to play aggressive. You want to take what the defense gives you. But when you turn the ball over three drives in a row, you feel it. You feel a little bit of pressure and stuff. But this is why we’re put in this position. I can handle this.”
Brock Purdy shriveled on ‘Monday Night Football.’ 49ers need him to bounce back in a hurry (paywall)
“His second interception revealed what Purdy needs to find. He stepped up into the pocket and a lane wider than the Bay Bridge opened in front of him. He started to run and had tight end George Kittle slanting in front of him into that open space. He had Ricky Pearsall running a similar route deeper than Kittle into the open space.
Safe, aggressive and risky...
