Mason Foster Continues To Dominate
October 14th, 2012
Joe is of the mind that there is no player that has improved from last season to this year more than Bucs middle linebacker Mason Foster.
The second-year man from Washington almost seems like a different player. Last year he seemed lost, at times, almost intimidated.
This year? Foster has been nothing short of a beast. It’s almost like Foster wants some pineapple, and he may very well get some.
(For those not getting NFL urban lingo, pineapple = Pro Bowl.)
Today was another perfect example. He had seven tackles and some of them were big-gain stoppers. Jamaal Charles broke through massive hole for what appeared to be a potential long, long run when Foster raced in, plugged the hole, and stopped Charles for just a five-yard gain when it seemed as if it could have been a 20-yard run.
Foster, who smiles ear-to-ear when he is reminded of his improved play, credits his newfound toughness to the improved play of the defensive line.
“When [defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Roy Miller] are getting double-teams up front, it makes it easier for me and Lavonte to make plays,” Foster said. “When they play like that it makes it hard for any team to run the ball. We were flying around, banging, playing off of each other, safeties coming down, feeling, great calls by Coach Sheridan. We just execute our game plan and we play hard, that’s what happens.
“If someone makes a mistake, we cover for them. Getting up field and getting penetration. When a guy had to make a move four years behind the line of scrimmage, it makes it better for us.
“Sometimes, we may be playing pass and they run it on us, but we just execute what we have to do, and play hard and we will be straight.”
October 14th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
incredible how improved the Lb’s are….Foster is a Beast !
October 14th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
“Foster raced in, plugged the hole, and stopped Foster for just a five-yard gain…” Foster tackled himself?
October 14th, 2012 at 5:40 pm
Foster is ruthless go bucs!!!
October 14th, 2012 at 5:41 pm
It’s everyone just doing their job. Sounds boring, but it works. Totally stoked about the way this team tackles too. Amazing what a little coaching can do.
October 14th, 2012 at 5:52 pm
Great run defense. Mark Barron had a great run stops during the game. We didn’t need Morris Claiborne or Luke Kuechly. Well Luke would of been an upgrade over Quincy Black and Morris would of been and upgrade over Aquib, but Mark was need.
October 14th, 2012 at 5:52 pm
Leading the league in negative plays, wow
October 14th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
I think Roy Miller is in the running for most improved as well. I think a good amount of the negative plays have come as a result of him wreaking havoc on interior O lines….even Foster admits that. He doesn’t have #s to show for it, but you can see a clear difference.
That is not discounting anything Foster has done. He is really flying all over the field, it is incredible seeing how much more confident he seems this year. This run defense really is fun to watch.
October 14th, 2012 at 5:54 pm
Lol Have a nice day. Yea it must be nice when guys have to make their move 4 “years” ahead of the line of scrimmage too. Even Geno Hayes would be able to react to make that tackle!!
October 14th, 2012 at 5:56 pm
Miller looked horrendous last year, which is the only reason I say he may have improved to a greater degree than Foster. Foster at least had some flashes last year.
October 14th, 2012 at 9:11 pm
I’m proud of Foster. I hoped he had it in him. I hope Biggers can earn the starting job…truly earn it.
October 14th, 2012 at 10:05 pm
He’s looked really great this year. I love how people who rip on Dom’s draft misses rarely if ever credit his good ones. Every player should get three years to prove themslves especially if not healthy. There are a lot of really good to Pro Bowl players that are deserving of that. I personally think making the Pro Bowl is pverated, especially when big market visibale teams (Dallas comes to mind) always seem to stack the roster even if therir not worthy.
October 14th, 2012 at 10:58 pm
I’ve watched him since little league and Mason has always “flown under the radar”. I have a feeling he”ll have to go “stealth mode” if he’s going to fly under the radar too much longer. Last year was a wash… No camp and no adequate preparation… This kid is a born champion with a game and gritty style of play. He will be a long term impact player, period. He’s all “tatted” up now but I remember his first tattoo. Let’s just say it relates to his style of play…
October 14th, 2012 at 10:59 pm
I’ve watched him since little league and Mason has always “flown under the radar”. I have a feeling he’ll have to go “stealth mode” if he’s going to fly under the radar too much longer. Last year was a wash… No camp and no adequate preparation… This kid is a born champion with a game and gritty style of play. He will be a long term impact player, period. He’s all “tatted” up now but I remember his first tattoo. Let’s just say it relates to his style of play…
October 15th, 2012 at 2:27 am
Barrett Ruud who? Sorry, but Mason Foster on one leg is a better MLB that Ruud ever was.
October 15th, 2012 at 9:05 am
@patrickbucs
You will never hear how well he drafts but how bad he misses. His draft pics are coming along better than expected except for the West Coast that’s why Hickey the scout the West was fired.