Offseason Big Reason For Mason Foster’s Growth
August 22nd, 2012
For Bucs fans who haven’t thrown themselves into the waiting path of a semi yet, distraught over the Bucs’ loss to the Titans last week, many will have noticed a different Mason Foster.
Even in training camp, it was easy to see the second-year middle linebacker is a different player. Last year, with no offseason to speak of and a handful of practices in training camp, Foster was thrust into the starting lineup, likely a year too soon.
Foster, who was an outside linebacker at the University of Washington, looked at times last year simply overwhelmed. Of course, he didn’t have much help on either side of him or in front of him for that matter.
Now, with a full offseason, OTAs, minicamp, et al, Foster has taken advantage and is a different player and in some respects, a team leader.
Najee Goode even spoke of how at Miami for the first preseason game, he roomed with Foster and the duo did little but go over their playbooks.
Foster admitted to Joe that a full offseason has made all the difference in the world.
“It’s helped tremendously,” Foster said. “Being here, I had the ability to talk to the coaches, study, just everything. It was being more comfortable being in the city, everything. Having an offseason to have time to hang out and study and left, everything contributes.
“We have great coaches and a great staff. It has all helped.”
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:00 pm
I am still not convinced that Foster is the answer at MLB.
Still a bunch of hype.
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:35 pm
if people choose to be leary of him i understand. but ive been saying to all my friends since last year. put this kid in the proper coaches hands…and you may have something great.
call me crazy, but i think theres a chance after this offseason, a position of weakness..Linebacker, might become a strength. I think David and Foster and set in stone. and i do think with the right coaching, Quincy and Dekota could be a lethal rotation on the other side. call me crazy. lol
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:47 pm
I just hope Mason doesn’t get run over by Earl Campbell, I mean Jacquizz Rodgers, for a TD again.
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:50 pm
This dude is going to be a Stud, showed flashes of it last year, huge upside and locking down the LB position for years to come, him and David….building back our LB corp one step at a time like the good ol days of Brooks and Nickerson.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:16 pm
a Little off topic, but with the depth issues at D-Line wouldn’t it be worth giuving a look to Andre Carter? I still have nightmares about how he manhandled the Bucs last year, and that was a preseason game, but it was the one’s out there.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:41 pm
@Colorado Buc
Gotta agree with giving him a look. Our 1’s (Clayborn & Bennett) have looked great in camp but our backups have been dismal. Johnson, T’eo-Nesheim, Gilberry, et all, have been less than stellar and that’s putting it mildly. What if Clayborn or Bennett go down? We’re back to being the sackless wonders at that point (a nickname I’ve given to Thomas 2.2 as well, but I digress).
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:59 pm
Was Foster in the same stadium as Chris Johnson last Friday night???? It sure didn’t look that way…..
August 22nd, 2012 at 3:29 pm
CJ had 2 big runs, on the 2nd and 3rd stringers… dont try to make it into something its not.. fool. You can tell who watches the games and who just likes to run there mouth from the comments they make.
August 22nd, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Last week the Titans played their starters well into the 3rd quarter. There was no way we would win that game.
August 22nd, 2012 at 4:53 pm
It wasn’t really fair to Foster, how it went down last year. Moved to the inside as a rookie, became responsible for calling plays/adjustments, and getting lined up, all with no real offseason to learn any of it.
He was overwhelmed and the entire defense suffered for it.
If anyone deserves a clean slate this year it is him. We won’t really know how he’ll stack up on the mental side of the position until the real games are played.
August 22nd, 2012 at 5:13 pm
If GMC is healthy, Foster will be a legitimate NFL starter this year. Simple as that.
August 22nd, 2012 at 5:53 pm
Common theme heard among the many player interviews seems to be almost every one of them talks about the great coaching they’re getting this year. Haven’t heard much of that in recent memory.
August 22nd, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Whatever, they say that every year. This year, we can see it.
August 23rd, 2012 at 11:12 am
Vontaze Burfict! Why didnt we draft him in the 7th round??
Mason is better suited for SLB. Cut Quincy after this season and all his guaranteed money.
Draft the best MLB in the 1st round next year. And build from there.