Schiano Going Back To Foster’s College Tape
April 20th, 2012
With about half his voice lost on the One Buc practice fields, Greg Schiano made it very clear to the media Thursday that Mason Foster’s role on the team is a major question mark.
Asked point blank whether Foster, who led all NFL rookies in tackles last season, showed enough to give Schiano confidence that he will be the Bucs’ middle linebacker, Schiano replied the following:
“You know I want to sit down with the staff and really talk through it. You know these have been long days. And at the end of the day we staff meet, but we haven’t talked a lot of personnel,” Schiano said. “I thought he had a good three days. I’m not sure where all those linebackers will land. You know Mason played [weakside linebacker] when he was in college. And then he played the Mike last year. So we have to kind of look. I may go back and even watch more of his college tape. I’ve watched a few games. You know, just to get a better feel. Because we’re not back at this stuff again now until June. So we’ve got some time to really study it.”
It’s interesting that Schiano is talking about going back to Foster’s college tape, considering he’s got hundreds of snaps on film — and likely watched all of them — of Foster playing MLB for the Buccaneers. Joe can’t figure out whether that’s alarming, or refreshing that coaches are working to get the most out of their players, versus the Jim Bates Experience of trying to ram the wrong scheme down players’ throats.
Clearly, Schiano is trying to find the right fit for Foster, versus trying to transforming him into something he might not be.
“It’s not only enough to get the right guys on the bus, but you gotta get’em in the right seats,” Schiano said. “And that’s one of the things that we’re trying to work very hard at is to figure out who fits where in our scheme. And do we have to adjust our scheme because nobody fits it.”
April 20th, 2012 at 8:17 am
It’s refreshing to hear a coach talk of adjusting the scheme to the players. That novel concept seems to have been lost for many years around here.
I’m looking forward to next Thursday night.
April 20th, 2012 at 9:11 am
He’s doing his homework… If TR and MC are gone when we pick at 5 he may be evaluating Kuechly to take over MLB and move Foster to WLB
April 20th, 2012 at 9:31 am
With this quote I’m very excited.
“And do we have to adjust our scheme because nobody fits it.”
Wow, this is what a real coach sounds like!
Just that statement alone is proof enough that the defense will be better this year.
I liked the video of Rachel Ramirez that showed the defense practicing swarming to the ball. I haven’t seen this defense do that since Monte was here.
April 20th, 2012 at 9:50 am
I think Foster will be fine with a staff that knows what they are doing and a whole off season of training. You can always tell a well coached team by the way players react to situations. In Monte’s defense it was like a competition as to who was going to make the tackle or get to the ball first. In Raheem’s defense; it was finger pointing as to who was actually supposed to make that play. Everyone looking at each other while the runner cruised right on by! It really is just about mental toughness and refusing to be blocked by the opposition.
April 20th, 2012 at 10:03 am
I went back and watched some youtube video of Foster.
I have now amended my previous opinion of him: that he can’t play the Mike.
My opinion is now: he can’t play the Mike in the Tampa 2, or in any defense that gives him substantial pass coverage responsibilities or requires him to physically take on fullbacks and pulling guards on running plays.
Foster is a pursuit, motor type linebacker – in the traditional Tampa 2, a Derrick Brooks run sideline to sideline and make tackles by avoiding blocks type player – the Will backer.
Foster is not a Hardy Nickerson physical backer who would blow up fullbacks, or a Shelton Quarles athlete who could run with Tight Ends, RBs and slot receivers.
Foster exerts solid effort and his feet are better than I remembered, although virtually nobody in league history has Derrick Brooks feet, hips and instincts at the Will LB position.
The point: if in Schiano’s 4-3 the Mike has more freedom to identify and pursue, then Foster probably could handle that responsibility. If the Mike’s role in the Schiano defense is akin to that in Monte’s or rahrah’s – then Foster is WAY out-of-position at Mike.
April 20th, 2012 at 10:09 am
It seems like the draft is going to play a part and determine where Foster plays. If they can get a more natural fit at MLB in the draft then Foster will probably make the switch to WLB, if they get an OLB then Foster will stay put. Might as well get the BPA at the linebacker position when they decide to pull the trigger on one no matter inside or outside, having Foster helps because he can play either places.
April 20th, 2012 at 10:42 am
Reality is that Foster is a better WLB then MLB. Then you take that and realize that Foster is a big upgrade over Hayes at WLB. Mostly because he doesn’t get blocked by a shift in wind direction and is a good tackler. We need a new MLB which will be addressed in the draft. Hopefully this time it won’t be a convert, it will be a guy who has played there his entire college career.
I really felt bad for Foster who has such good instincts and play making ability have to try and pick so much up in his first pro season. BY THE WAY HE WAS STILL OUR BEST BACKER. I think he’ll be happy and make us way more splash plays at his instinctive home in WLB. I think people understated his ceiling last year he will be a stud on the outside.
April 20th, 2012 at 10:45 am
OMG I agree with Thomas… I’m now looking outside to see the horsemen coming down the street.
April 20th, 2012 at 10:52 am
And also be known that Foster was an All American as Will Linebacker at Washington. Foster actually put that info out there when asked if he wanted to be the Mike Backer.
Basically he likes Mike and will do what asked … But hey I was an All American at Will.
April 20th, 2012 at 10:54 am
Dakoda Watson at Sam & Mason Foster at Will could actually be intriguing .. Watson just has to stay healthy … Now … Who to play Mike ??
April 20th, 2012 at 11:53 am
I agree with jvato24. The best idea will probably be to move Foster to Will, put Watson at Sam, and draft a pure Mike, then bring in some quality prospects to provide you with depth for the year. The linebacking corps will still need some serious attention next year and possibly even the year after, but that would be a solid start and probably the best we could hope for, given how many areas of desperate need the Dominick/Schiano regime have had to contend with this off-season.
April 20th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Options in the middle:
Keuckly – probably not an option of T-Rich or Claiborne on the board
Mychal Kendricks – will have to grab in 2nd round, but that could depend on 1st round pick, if claiborne goes 1 then u gotta look at Doug Martin if available
D. Hightower could slip to second, but same scenario
Audie Cole – probably available in fourt and could be solid steal.
Will like Lu have many options at outside linebackers, just depends on what they want.
April 20th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
It really depends what 4-3 style they are going to play.
Traditional 4-3:
Sam- Is responsible for TE/Screen coverage and Side Line to Side Line , shedding blocks and pursuing the runner.
Mike- Thumping Gap stop, Run stuff, QB Spy, and keeps the defense in position.
Will- Blinde Side pass rush, blitz pro, and run pursuit.
Tampa 2: Same thing except flip flop the responsibilities of the Sam and Will positions.
Mike- Can either be the hard nose run stop, or a very good cover Backer because he has to protect the seams against TE’s.
In a Traditional 4-3 I see Foster as a Will with Watson behind his rotation. Both aren’t as skilled in coverage but excel at getting into the back field on blitzs.
April 20th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Really curious to see how the LB’s shake out. Would think Foster would be a better fit at WLB, if the team can grab a suitable replacement either in the draft or FA afterwards. Sheridan and Schiano have both mentioned they see the position as being flexible, where guys will have the ability to work at various spots according to the scheme. Can’t wait to watch the training camp battles.
April 21st, 2012 at 8:02 am
I have a gut feeling Kuechly is going to be the pick. After Dom’s press conference I realized how much the Bucs pay attention and look for draft info on other teams. I would assume then they try and control the info going out. That whole Talib on the trading block thing seemed a little too convenient and Barber moving to saftey and Foster staying at MLB. That spells we really are going to take a CB. Which could be the case, but why advertise it?
I think they try and trade down a few spots no takers they take Keuchly at 5 improves two LB spots MLB and WLB. If we go CB and RB in the 2nd or 3rd round I could be happy with that.