Mason Foster Emerging
September 20th, 2012
When was the last time a Bucs linebacker had an interception and drilled two offensive players so fiercely their next big moves were on the trainer’s table?
Of course, that’s what Mason Foster did against the Giants — in the first half. (If Ray Lewis accomplished such a feat, he’d be heralded on every major network over and over and over)
It’s clear — at least after two games — that Foster is a new man under the New Schiano Order. He’s playing faster, more downhill and shedding blocks much better.
Foster was a huge X-factor entering this season, on the heels of struggling as a rookie dropped into the middle linebacker role last season without the benefit of much experience at the position or a full offseason thanks to the asinine lockout. Foster still led all NFL rookies in tackles, but the jury was out on whether he was decent linebacker.
Joe’s very excited. Arguably the weakness of the defense entering the season, the linebackers appear to have outperformed the defensive line and the secondary this far.
The talking points out of the Raheem Morris regime included how much the Bucs’ young players suffered by missing the offseason and how much players grow from Year 1 to Year 2, if they have time with coaches. Foster seems to be Exhibit A.
September 20th, 2012 at 8:11 am
I thought he looked impressive last year when given the freedom to not think and just play. He has the instincts and that nasty factor you can’t teach. He is going to be good for a long time. Not amazing at any one thing but a completely steady and well rounded player that should be an anchor on the defense.
September 20th, 2012 at 8:27 am
Gotta agree. I’ve re watched the game 5 times and Foster was a beast. Looks great so far in the first two weeks.
September 20th, 2012 at 8:27 am
Foster and even David look to be the real thing. Black has shown improvement over last year, but we’ll have to wait and see. Looks like the Bucs have some talent now at LB. If we can just get some quality depth at D lineman I think this team can do some damage this year. Get some pressure w/o having to blitz on every play and we’ll surprise more than a couple teams this year.
Oh and after watching a replay of the Giants game; they were damn lucky to come away with that game. The Bucs had four of five chances to seal the game and even run the score up.
September 20th, 2012 at 8:31 am
Agree with everyone here. Joe, since you have a big platform, maybe you can explain to readers that after the debacle of last year, the Bucs have played 120 minutes of football, and held a lead for about 117 of those minutes. The team is a year or two away, but this thing has started out really well.
September 20th, 2012 at 8:53 am
I thnk Joe’s already written a few times about how the team doesn’t start slow anymore, etc.
September 20th, 2012 at 8:55 am
Seems to me that the secondary is the weak spot. The starters at CB at not elite. They’re not dog food, but, I don’t trust either on an island (no matter how many times someone tries to say Talib is a shutdown corner).
Barron is everything I expected, and more.
They just need more time to bring in more talent back there.
September 20th, 2012 at 9:00 am
Mason plays physical, down hill, and hard.
He is looking like a good pick.
Not too shabby for a 3rd round selection. ehhh hmmmmm Myron Lewis?
September 20th, 2012 at 9:02 am
Mason may have benefited from not having to call the defenses this year; he can just play.
September 20th, 2012 at 9:41 am
I believe time in the weight room and coaching has helped a lot this year. He rookie year was his only real year playing Middle Linebacker.
Playing outside linebacker he was more finesse player in college that’s why a player like jaquez Rogers ran him over during the Atlanta game last year even though he was 50 lbs heavier that Rogers. He has a lot more power to him and it shows.
Like Mike J said he doesn’t have to think about alignments and play calling. All he have to do just attack without much thinking.
September 20th, 2012 at 10:20 am
Foster and David are the real deal and are going to be Buc LBs for a long time.
Black has even stepped it up some, but if Hayward plays for him the next few games, I am curious to see if he gets his job back because of the way Hayward played in preseason and so far.
September 20th, 2012 at 2:25 pm
I heard somewhere that Foster was too small to play MLB (Thomas 2.2, you be grateful we can’t make you eat crow).
I always felt he was good. David is good too. As a matter of fact, I think Dominick’s last two drafts were top notch.
September 20th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
A lot of people wanted him moved as I can recall. I’ve like him from day one. I thought he handled himself pretty well last year. This year he has been pretty impressive. I just hope his aggressiveness doesn’t lead to penalties.