Lay Off Mason Foster!
September 10th, 2014
Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier lauded MLB Mason Foster’s play Sunday
Joe knows there are two distinguishing characteristics of Bucs fans:
1) They love players with names they recognize, no matter how little gas is in the tank, no matter how horrible they may be, no matter how ill-fit they may be on the Bucs. It they know the name, he must be good.
2) Bucs fans always have to have a player each year to hate. Doesn’t matter if Bucs coaches like said player; doesn’t matter if the player grades out well on film with the team in the scheme he is playing in.
Joe could rattle off several names, many deserved legitimate ire. Sabby the Goat springs to mind as one who earned every bit as much scorn as he received.
In the offseason, Joe sensed a vibe percolating for Mason Foster and it started to come out in the open in recent days. Some of his haters don’t like him simply for no other reason than his name is not “Luke Kuechly.” Thus, Foster’s haters try to blow out of proportion every potential misstep he may take as a reason to run him out of town.
Personally, Joe thinks Foster, while he may need polish in pass defense — not much — is a solid linebacker.
Last Sunday, Stinking Panthers tight end Greg Olsen lit up the Bucs for 83 yards on eight catches and a touchdown, most right over the middle where Olsen was as wide open as an eagle flying through the sky.
The anti-Foster crowd stood up, beat their chests, nodded their heads and said, “Told ya,” while pointing at Foster. Well, speaking today with the Tampa Bay pen and mic club, Bucs defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said Foster’s detractors are dead wrong.
“I don’t think we matched up Mason at all against Greg,” Frazier said. “Mason, overall, has done a terrific job for us. He has improved all along. We have talked about that as a staff. He had a tremendous camp and he did a really job for us in the ballgame. He tackled well; he got the defense set up. He was instrumental in that last third down when we were trying to get the ball back to our offense and putting some pressure on the quarterback.
“He’s done a lot of things we asked him to do. He should get better as we continue to learn this defense and what we are asking of him.”
There you have it. Straight from the mouth of the Bucs defensive coordinator. Foster is not and should not be a player Bucs fans want to hate.
There are plenty of other players for Bucs fans to narrow their focus on for underwhelming play. Foster is not among them.
What Joe found more interesting was Frazier didn’t say who was supposed to be matched-up with Olsen. Joe has a hunch who that was, but will leave it to his loyal readers to speculate.
To hear more from Frazier, click the arrow below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s co-conspirators at WDAE-AM 620.
September 10th, 2014 at 3:15 pm
Barron… The Jimmy Graham defense specialist
September 10th, 2014 at 3:24 pm
Cough, Barron, cough cough
September 10th, 2014 at 3:29 pm
The only pass he caught while covered he had LVD all over him. I wonder if that was supposed to be the case the rest of the game?
September 10th, 2014 at 3:31 pm
If Barron was to cover him man to man, I’d think he’d line up opposite him on occasion.
September 10th, 2014 at 3:32 pm
As long as we can still hate on McCown I’m good with it
September 10th, 2014 at 3:41 pm
It was Barron not Foster. I don’t think Foster had a great game or anything, but he was not the problem.
September 10th, 2014 at 3:43 pm
As soon as I read this I thought, “Barrett Ruud”.
I agree with you on Mason Foster. His statistics are somewhat comparable to Shelton Quarles and I don’t recall people banging the drum against him. He plays hard and I’ve never noticed him taking a play off. He’ll likely not be a pro-bowler but it’s not as if we can have pro-bowlers at every position.
September 10th, 2014 at 3:44 pm
Joe is right on par with the rest of the fans. Recognize the name Johnny Football: Love him!! No matter how sh!tty he is.
Hate on Glennon, no matter how much the coaches praise him.
September 10th, 2014 at 3:46 pm
NICE read Joes ! 59 will be fine ! Now lets get a win Sunday so we can all have something more positive to post about. The week after a loss is sooooooo depressing !! GO BUCS !!!!!!! DEFEND THE BAY !!!!!!!
September 10th, 2014 at 3:46 pm
Joe knows linebackers!
September 10th, 2014 at 3:47 pm
I don’t know if it was barron or not, but I clearly remember when we drafted barron the talk was all about him covering tight ends. Just saying.
September 10th, 2014 at 3:50 pm
I agree with malloy. The hate is swiftly moving to McCown. Rightly so too.
September 10th, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Ronde said it was Foster. I guess Ronde doesn’t know the Tampa 2.
September 10th, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Joe, you are catching Duemig’s Disease — dumping all over the Bucs’ fan base. I grew up as a Giants’ fan back in the ’70s when fans had a season-ticket-burning party in the Giants Stadium parking lot and they rented a plane to pull this message over the stadium during a game: “10 years of lousy football. We’ve had enough.” Fans complain. Fans complain more when their team sucks. And for many years, the Bucs (with a couple of exceptions) have sucked.
I have survived Sam Wyche, Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden, Raheem Morris and Greg Schiano. I have survived Craig Erickson, Vinny T, Trent Dilfer, Brad Johnson, Brian Greise, Josh Freeman and Mike Glennon. I’ll survive these guys too. (Probably)
I don’t hate. I just want to see some good players playing some good football. I’m patient….what choice do I have? But I will complain, too. We’re just fans. Give us a break.
September 10th, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Bucs fans always have to have a player each year to hate. Doesn’t matter if Bucs coaches like said player; doesn’t matter if the player grades out well on film with the team in the scheme he is playing in.
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After I read that, I couldn’t help but laugh.
Joe constantly incites the hoards with his beratement of certain players and then has the audacity to blame it solely on the rabid fans. #ringleaders
September 10th, 2014 at 3:56 pm
I don’t get the hate on Foster either. However Joe, I disagree that all Bucs fans simply want players whose names they recognize. They want players who are actually good and productive. Plain and simple.
And as for past players who drew the ire of fans, how can EJ Biggers not be at the top of the list? He was the worst starting cornerback ever? Complete garbage. He made maybe 1 impactful play in his career here. You know what his signature play was? Running 5 ft behind the other team’s receiver as he scored a touchdown.
September 10th, 2014 at 3:58 pm
No, Foster wasn’t assigned to Olsen at any time, but when we were in zone, and Anderson play-faked, it was Foster who came flying up to the LOS instead of dropping into a zone to get into passing lanes of the QB. He doesn’t need polish on pass defense, he’s terrible. And FYI, Joe. You’ve said it a million times yourself, this is a passing league, WTF is the good of having a LB that is good (not great) against the run but terrible against the pass? This isn’t the day and age where the Matt Millens can run out there for 2 downs and come off on 3rd down in favor of a nickle player.
September 10th, 2014 at 4:17 pm
Mason Foster…Who’s talking about you?
September 10th, 2014 at 4:20 pm
People need to pull out a dictionary occasionally! There is a difference between criticism and hate! Before I believe “coach speak”, I’ll defer to the man who played this defense for so many years! Ronde said multiple times that Foster wasn’t getting deep enough. Not to take away from the fact that our safety play was sketchy at best but in the Tampa 2 we have been repeatedly told that the Mike has to get depth! Not even going to start on the yards per carry the defense gave up mostly between the tackles! Not hating but he’s GOT to play better!!!
September 10th, 2014 at 4:21 pm
I think the hate is going to Barron because of were he was taken in the draft
September 10th, 2014 at 4:21 pm
I really like foster, And I really dislike glennon, where does that put me amongst Buc fans?
September 10th, 2014 at 4:22 pm
“…Bucs fans: They love players with names they recognize, no matter how little gas is in the tank, no matter how horrible they may be, no matter how ill-fit they may be on the Bucs…”
hmmmmm, me thinks this is in part a shot at some of us Incognito fans!!! LMAO
September 10th, 2014 at 4:25 pm
When will i see Barron actually cover a TE?
September 10th, 2014 at 4:25 pm
“…“I don’t think we matched up Mason at all against Greg,” Frazier said…”
Coach, we know that because we can see you did not match ANYONE up against Greg…
September 10th, 2014 at 4:31 pm
I’ve opted to change my hate status to strongly dislike.
Dude can’t cover no matter what Frazier says.
September 10th, 2014 at 4:32 pm
@Chef Paul Says:
“…Joe is right on par with the rest of the fans. Recognize the name Johnny Football: Love him!! No matter how sh!tty he is.”
Nailed it Chef. btw, didn’t you and I have a bet regarding MG8 vs McCown?
September 10th, 2014 at 4:32 pm
TampaChris & Brandon could not agree more.
September 10th, 2014 at 4:47 pm
LOL You missed it Harry? Yes we did have a bet, and I paid up too. Here is a couple examples:
Chef Paul Says:
August 28th, 2014 at 8:20 am
Might as well start this today: Harry is smarter than me.
I’m with Patrick. As long as this doesn’t get in the way of GMS’s money (I’m sure it won’t) I dont give two figs what his pay is.
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Chef Paul Says:
August 28th, 2014 at 11:09 am
Harry is smarter than me.
TBBF just got ripped off!!!
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Chef Paul Says:
August 28th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
There you go, Joe.
We finally got someone on this team with pulling ability.
Chef Paul Says:
August 28th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
Sorry, I forgot to say Harry is smarter than me.
September 10th, 2014 at 4:54 pm
phreakybucfan Says:
September 10th, 2014 at 3:47 pm
I don’t know if it was barron or not, but I clearly remember when we drafted barron the talk was all about him covering tight ends. Just saying.
You are correct. When Schiano came in, it was stated that a safety is KEY to his defensive scheme and the fact that Barron would also be able to match up well with Graham and Gonzo were the main reasons he was drafted.
He was touted as the perfect fit to complete the Schiano defensive scheme.
September 10th, 2014 at 4:55 pm
Joe, do not distract my hate, it’s still all McCown’s.
September 10th, 2014 at 4:57 pm
Our safeties are too big to be covering quick TE’s and WR’s consistently. They can’t turn on a dime like a CB can and their recovery speed after change of direction isn’t the same either. The “book” on Barron coming out of college was a great in the box safety, hard hitter and great downhill speed. But his change of direction and recovery was definitely not at the same level as a CB.
September 10th, 2014 at 5:03 pm
There were a couple of plays when I knew the ball was going to Olsen and was yelling at the TV…it didn’t help. I guess you can only see the obvious while safely ensconced in your living room, but not when you are on the field…
September 10th, 2014 at 5:13 pm
What’s said is, some of these “fans” still think Mason Foster is playing out of position as a Middle LB and can never drop a name that’s graded out as well as Foster has since being thrown to the fire his rookie year, it’s ridiculous to see the people who align themselves with this team tear it down on a daily basis, bunch of chicken littles!
September 10th, 2014 at 5:14 pm
what do you think he’s going to say? ‘Yeah, he’s pretty awful in coverage, his hips are too tight and he can’t change direction with any explosiveness.’
September 10th, 2014 at 5:35 pm
The Bucs should of put Clayborn on Olsen since Olsen is slower than Sproles. Probably same outcome.
September 10th, 2014 at 5:42 pm
@Buccfan37
Might as well, he was doing anything anyways!
#adrian_slowborn!
September 10th, 2014 at 6:37 pm
Foster is a good player. He doesn’t have the household name that other MLBs have, but he can get the job done. The only problem I see is the deep drop he’s required to do in certain defensive schemes (Cover2). He’s been late on a few of his drop backs. This might be him getting used to the schemes or maybe he doesn’t have the instinct or speed to get back fast enough. We’ll find out as the season progresses. Overall he’s a good LB though.
September 10th, 2014 at 7:09 pm
chef paul Says:
September 10th, 2014 at 3:50 pm
“I agree with malloy. The hate is swiftly moving to McCown. Rightly so too.”
Why hate McCown?….Lovie hired his ass, what was he supposed to say? No thanks?
September 10th, 2014 at 7:17 pm
Also I forgot to add this just so no one ever forgets. Lovie hired everyone including our GM ( WTF?) so if everyone wants to start blaming and pointing fingers or hating look towards Lovie.
Some of you people blamed Schiano for not having enough toilet paper in your stall when he went to take a crap. I’m not even talking about at RJS either I’m talking about the Race Trac gas station down the road from the stadium was out of TP and that was Schiano’s fault. Yes it was that bad.
Still I hardly see ANYONE on JBF blaming Lovie for how flat that team looked on Sunday. I hope this does not continue or Lovie may as well run for President seeing how the one we have now does no wrong either.
That last part was for you DallasBuc lol.
September 10th, 2014 at 7:55 pm
I want Foster to succeed and make All Pro but I guarantee you that will never happen playing out of position at MLB in Tampa 2. He has the ability to be a great SLB like he played at Washington, and we need one after Casillas was almost invisible in the last game, but Hardy should have known that at 4.75 speed there was no way in H— that Foster could play deep enough to cover the seam which is his responsibility. So the DC figured that out too and didn’t assign him to cover Benjamin in the seam. If that is true that Benjamin touchdown is the fault of Frasier’s stupidity in not moving Foster to SLB and putting Lansanah in the middle with the weight to stop the run and speed to intercept the pass to Benjamin and win the first game. Joe please help these Coaches to make winning moves instead of taking their foolish explanations as smart commentary. Lovie used to say we are a 4-7 team until we prove otherwise. Turn that around. His Coaches are 0-1 losers until they prove otherwise! There were a lot of better decisions they could have made to put this team in position to contend now!
September 10th, 2014 at 9:34 pm
This coaching staff has huge honesty issues. Next they’ll be saying he’s “the Protype” MLB.
Then they’ll cut him!
Barron was the worthless player attempting to cover Olsen.
But There were many other catches 10-15 yards deep, at center field area.
And that was Foster- because he didn’t get deep enough in his zone.
September 10th, 2014 at 9:57 pm
@Chef Paul Says:
“…LOL You missed it Harry? Yes we did have a bet, and I paid up too. Here is a couple examples…”
You are a scholar and a gentleman Paul. I was not going to make you pay up. One, I am just happy knowing how smart I am (lol). Two, although I still believe McCown is better than MG8 (or I would expect The Cannon would be playing), McCown did not play like an NFL starter (thats an understatement), so I planned to let it go. But thank you for having such impeccable integrity!
September 10th, 2014 at 10:28 pm
Until were a winning football team there all losers except for gerald mccoy…..I give him a pass hes hall of fame material but maybe never will be with this team!
September 10th, 2014 at 10:36 pm
Capt Tim. You are assuming that L&L are good evaluators of talent. I have not seen a shred of that since they arrived. Spent over 150 million. Made some bad trades and signed back the bad olinemen while letting starters for other clubs to leave. Okay they drafted Evans, who honestly has been only average. 80-90% of us would have drafted Evans. I could go on and on. So, when you say they will get the prototype, I’m not sure of that
September 10th, 2014 at 11:20 pm
I agree a lot bigger busts than Foster… McClown, Johnson, and nicks to name a few.
September 10th, 2014 at 11:52 pm
Thank You Unbelievable! E.J. Biggers was without a doubt the worst Buccaneer of all time, (yet Joe, and several other sports pundits) somehow rank Sabby Piscitelli as being the poster boy for bad Buc Defensive Backs, (and I admit Sabby made his fair share of mistakes) but he nowhere ranks anywhere close to the bumbling, stumbling blind as a bat piece of toast that “Rah” (and Joe!) so loved!
Foster? I haven’t heard anyone laying blame and purportedly pointing fingers at Mason; and like other readers, I don’t recall seeing Barron lining up anywhere near Olsen on Sunday…I wasn’t at the game, I watched it on television so there weree obviously some angles I didn’t see, but I too also agree that Duemig is a bad influence on ya Joe!
Umm, Joe didn’t love Biggers. Heck, Joe wrote numerous times about the lousy fearsome foursome, E.J. Leonard, Danny and LeQuan, that was the Bucs’ cornerbacks in 2012. Joe just didn’t understand all the hatred of Biggers. He was a 7th-round pick and played to that level. Not his fault he was dropped in as a starter.–Joe
September 11th, 2014 at 12:05 am
Psh. Foster is a red herring. He’s a good player if he’s put in a position to be one. He happens to be employed by the natural successors to Hugh Culverhouse. Focus your sights on the Glazer brats and do not be distracted- they and they alone are the issue with this team.
September 11th, 2014 at 1:11 am
@ D Rome, took the words outta my mouth haha
September 11th, 2014 at 1:21 am
And wow Joe, I’m sensing a subtle change of heart from you guys building up here lately… Don’t publish a blog site and call out the fans now.
Because (out of love of course) that’s going to start sounding a lot like a “sponsored bias” – Your voice is becoming more and more prominent on a certain radio station that is the flagship station of a certain football team. Citing Becht the other day (the same person providing a segment on the official Bucs website proclaiming ‘there’s so many positives to take from Sunday’) on the Oline, an opinion that has carried more consistency from fans on this site than signing on Incognito – is suspect..
Dude, what is this the X-files? Way too much thinking on your end. Look at Joe’s second post after the game, about 15 minutes after the game was over. Joe wrote about how the offensive line wasn’t the problem. That’s Joe’s opinion about the unit that was most suspect through preseason. Joe’s not being bought or influenced. Just looking at Joe’s writing in the aftermath of Sunday would make that very clear. Also, Joe consistently shares opinions of ex-Bucs, because they are interesting, not because of what they say. –Joe
September 11th, 2014 at 2:46 am
When we drafted Foster out of Washington I loved it, he is Quarles Jr. All he has done is produce. And Joe if your just seeing it now, wow.
September 11th, 2014 at 6:15 am
I think part of the reason the Mason-haters are out was the fox crew including Ronde called him out on a few plays. Either way they need to do something. If Olsen did that to us what will Graham do ??
September 11th, 2014 at 7:31 am
A great job out of creating controversy out of thin air.
September 11th, 2014 at 2:01 pm
Foster screwed up in zone defense getting sucked in and leaving middle of field open. Barber called it twice and it was obvious on multiple plays. Are you denying that joe??? I’m not saying Barron didn’t miss some plays too. I don’t have any hate for foster. He earned his reputation I didn’t create it joe???