Mason Foster Grades An 80
August 16th, 2011
So what did Mason Foster really do out there Friday?
Sure, every fan saw Foster fall on a fumble and aggressively drive a backup quarterback out of bounds on a third down. But what about the rest of the film? Raheem Morris filled in Bucs fans on The Steve Duemig Show yesterday on WDAE-AM 620.
“[Foster] played about 10 or so snaps on defense. He played a bunch on special teams for us. He was able to go out there and he had two minuses: he missed one run fit maybe because of me and a call, and then the other one he missed something else and graded about 80 percent,” Raheem said. “He was able to go out there and get the fumble and made a big third-down stop on the quarterback. He had a pretty productive day. And he did the things you want to see him do on the first day — play physical and play fast. If you get those two things out on the first day, then you’ve got a chance.”
Raheem went on to explain that Foster was almost the opposite of Gerald McCoy playing early last year when McCoy tried to play “too smart.” Raheem said he ordered Foster to “make full speed mistakes” and got what he requested.
With a little bit of apprehension in his voice, Raheem said he’ll free up Foster to play in some nickel situations against New England on Thursday. So fans should see much more of him.
Hearing about Foster’s grade made Joe think of Barrett Ruud talking about his perfect scores. It’s unfair to compare the two, but it’ll be an interesting sport nonetheless through the season.
August 16th, 2011 at 11:05 am
Gotta be happy with those results first time out for a rookie MLB.
August 16th, 2011 at 11:06 am
ANy word on what McKenize scored?
August 16th, 2011 at 11:07 am
Gary, agreed…I think FOster is going to be a beast.
August 16th, 2011 at 11:10 am
“It’s unfair to compare the two,”
But you still make the comparison. Give it up, Joe. Please.
August 16th, 2011 at 11:43 am
Good play by foster.
Off topic…but does anybody think we trade Josh Johnson before the end of preseason? There is plenty of QB needy teams out there…and he is in his final contract year. Before we let him test FA…we could get a 3rd rd or 4th rd pick. Any thoughts?
August 16th, 2011 at 11:46 am
“Whatever Ruud’s grades, Joe knows the Bucs can do better and certainly should try.”
Reading the link to the old Ruud article really shows how you did a 180 in your stance on him.
August 16th, 2011 at 11:55 am
Best part of the article is Raheem ordering him, and I assume all rookies to
“make full speed mistakes”
Could not agree more with that. Play all out and if it ends up being a mental error, learn from it later. Don’t late technique and scheme slow you down. Basically, don’t think!
scubasteve4930:
Not unless they get a 3rd or 4th (which is A BIG STRETCH, right now he is a 5th at best).
Plus they would need to see ALOT from Carpenter going forward.
I was all for trading Johnson but he gives them the best chance at winning if Freeman misses time so I don’t know.
August 16th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
I cannot beleive the niners are potenitally looking to sign Dante Culpepper. Wondering if the Bucs have been in ANY discussions with the niners.
With the QB debacle going on in SF right now, I find it a hard pill to swallow they don’t want JJ.
August 16th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
No way do they trade JJ. Anyway, there is no way any team will give a 3rd or 4th for a guy that is really unproven. Especailly since he was something like a 6th round pick. He should lock himself up as free’s carreer back up. Get rich and b e able to walk later in life. He has to put real season tape together before he gets the big pay day. I like him, and he is a great back up. I would not say he is above average or elite by any stretch.
August 16th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
The best case scenario would be that JJ continues to light defenses up in the preseason and maybe then SF will come looking for him.
We all know the whole football world will be watching us play the pats because everyone is on the pats’ nuts, so that will be his chance to showcase his skills.
August 16th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
It doesn’t matter what your “scores” are at the LB position if you’re playing not to get burned which is how Ruud usually played. I’d rather have an aggressive 80 or 90 than a passive 100. No comparison whatsoever. Hands down, Foster is a better player.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
FLboy, well said! I concur – and can’t wait until we play the titans. I expect more splash plays from whoever our starting mlb is than ruud will give that day, odds: over by 4.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Jrock: I watched most of Ruud’s snaps the other night in the Titans’ first preseason game and he looked like he usually did here in Tampa. Late to the pile, grabbing legs, not hitting anyone with any kind of authority whatsoever and generally dancing around in space trying not to get burned.
He looked far less dynamic than Foster did in his first outing. No wonder he only got one offer for only one year. I’m glad we’re moving forward at that position. Exciting times.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Ruud frequently graded 100% – often during games that you sheep were blasting him.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Then the grading scale must be flawed, because Ruud pretty much sucks.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
You know I liked this article till it got to Joe remembering Barrett Ruud and his perfect scores?????? Oh lord I guess they don’t grade you down for being soft and out of position while running backs dance up the middle all day long. They call the position Middle Linebacker for a reason. Thats the area of the field they are supposed to protect. Please lets move on and not hear about someone pining for Mr. Ruud any longer those days are gone and I for one am glad. Tennessee will learn fast enough. Like I said hopefully they have some stout defensive tackles that will keep the running backs from even getting to Rudd.
August 16th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
Nick2: you dont understand tampa 2 base run d. Sometimes ruud has the middle or a gap, but not always. Sometimes, stunts and blitzes require that ruud get to the b, rarely even c gap.
August 16th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
“Ruud frequently graded 100% – often during games that you sheep were blasting him.”
——
Exactly how do you know this? Because Ruud told you so?
August 16th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
this was the kids first preseason game. give it a rest people. and by the way, barrett ruud is no longer a buc, so there is no need to discuss him further.
August 16th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
@gotbucs,
Amen, preach on brother!