Mason Foster = Ray Lewis?
May 5th, 2011
Yes, Raheem Morris went there.
On Wednesday, during an interview on 1040AM, Raheem told host Tom Krasniqi that he didn’t want to hang extraordinary expectations on his third-round draft pick, Mason Foster, but Raheem seemingly couldn’t contain his enthusiasm for Mason.
Krasniqi asked Raheem what linebacker past or present in the NFL he likens Foster to. And Raheem went right for the top of the mountain under Lawrence Taylor. He picked Ray Lewis.
Raheem said Foster’s movement, practice devotion, desire, hand usage and splash-play ability, among other traits, are all in the Ray Lewis mold.
Raheem also went on to detail how hard Foster practiced at the Senior Bowl explaining that Foster put his face on everyone.
Joe can’t wait to see what this kid’s got.
May 5th, 2011 at 10:05 am
Joe, yesterday you wrote:
“Putting a Ray Lewis or Jack Lambert-type middle linebacker in Morris’ defense would be a horrible fit, like having a wishbone quarterback play instead of Josh Freeman.”
Guess that means we might as well cut Foster now and get it over with
May 5th, 2011 at 10:13 am
awesome! this post should give you know who a brain hemorrage.
at this point, i will take a LB that at least has ray’s passion and drive no matter how he plays on the field. tired of weak a$$ quiet ruud.
i saw a clip last year of a rah postgame speech and couldnt help but notice how weak (relatively) ruud looked. everyone was cut up and he looked like some average joe who snuck into the lockeroom without his shirt on.
May 5th, 2011 at 10:14 am
lmao! I said the same thing a few days ago. He’s like lewis minus the crazy.
May 5th, 2011 at 10:19 am
I guess Ian Beckles is never going to address the comments that he requested from JBF.com readers. Classy. I’m sure it would only amount to, “I played in the NFL'” whereby avoiding any real discussion. Keep slanging’ Green Eggs and Nature Bee.
May 5th, 2011 at 10:33 am
Like I said in a previous post; a picture is worth a 1000 words. Let’s put Ruud’s locker room picture right there next to Ray Lewis and compare. Lewis is a Pro Bowler; a vocal leader; will lead by example; a workout warrior; and an unstoppable force in his prime. Ruud is none of those things, but people say he can cover TE’s & RB’s. If Foster can become half the player Ray Lewis is/was then we have another steal in the 2011 draft.
May 5th, 2011 at 10:35 am
LOL @ Hire Greg Olson
Remember the pic of Ruud next to Alstott?
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1239/1071502113_c72af5108b.jpg
May 5th, 2011 at 10:40 am
The clip that Gary is talking about is a post game speech following the Arizona Cardinals game. In the background you can see Ruud surrounded by the rest of the team. Honestly; the guy looks like Nigel Gruff the kicker from the Movie the Replacements. All he’s missing is the cigarette hanging out of his mouth.
May 5th, 2011 at 10:44 am
Hire Greg Olson!:
He talked about this on the air?
May 5th, 2011 at 11:23 am
SIDENOTE @JOE…
“MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—A federal appeals court agreed Tuesday to fast track the NFL’s request to put its labor lockout in place until a new deal is finally worked out.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis set a June 3 hearing, with 30 minutes of oral argument for each side, before Judges Duane Benton, Kermit Bye and Steven Colloton.
……So does this basically mean there can be ZERO negotiations until at least June 3rd..If so, some god damn “fast track”. This is growing old and tiresome, wont be suprised if the NFL loses fans.
May 5th, 2011 at 11:31 am
buc40:
Joe grew weary of lockout talk two days after it began and Joe avoids it like the plague. Joe would rather watch an NBA game and if you only knew how much Joe loathes and is revolted by the non-basketball association could you understand Joe’s distaste for lockout talk.
In short, unless two things happen: A court orders the NFL to lift the lockout, or there is a CBA not just agreed upon, but finished and signed and a date for the beginning of an NFL season, can an NFL team negotiate with a player.
May 5th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Buc40. They still have the chance to lift the temporary stay that was imposed on Thursday last week. Though that is the case, there was new news stating that the court doesn’t technically even have to rule on the Stay anymore and can just leave the Temporary Stay up until it goes to the appeals court. Which sucks!
May 5th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Im not sure anyone remembers but when we drafted Ruud he was the big physical replacement for Quarles .. He was early on one of our more physical players .. I remember he would lay the wood and one time helicoptered a dude ..
But then he said he was going to change his workouts to get more flexible .. He is def smaller since then
May 5th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
I heard this interview, they actually repeated it again a couple hours later. It was pretty solid minus all the questions asking the coach things the host knows he can’t answer, like Talib, free agency, etc.
He did go mostly up the draft ladder of picks though, and that was nice. And Raheem killed the interview with solid confident answers. He even started the interview praising the Lightning; that’s awesome.
Just imagine interviewing Belichick. *shudders*
May 5th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
The more I watch Foster’s highlights the more I think he’ll be able start right away. He takes no plays off, great motor, good tackler and good nose to the ball.
May 5th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
I have been excited by the Foster Pick! I agree with Raheem( though I wouldn’t have said it on the air!). The guy has Ray’s intensity. Only lacking a Lil bit of Ray’s speed,still a great talent and good work ethic! I like what I’ve heard About his character also. If he starts at Sam, I bet our run defense improves instantly, even though he’s a rookie! Can’t wait to see this guy- he will be a team leader also, and bring a ferocity we are missing !
May 5th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Joe,
Beckles or Ian_620 asked on your site what he said that was wrong and that “he’d wait”. Now if that wasn’t him, I apologize. But why ask for q’s if ur not going to address them?
May 5th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Joe,
Here’s the comment:
Ian_620 Says:
May 2nd, 2011 at 6:24 pm
show me what I said that was wrong? I’ll wait
============
I’m not trying to be a troll here. i have a lot of respect for Ron and Ian. They are great at what they do. Their show is very entertaining. I realize that this might be an impostor, since I’m sure Ian has better things to do than trade barbs with JFB readers. But if this is indeed Ian, why not answer?
May 5th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
@ HIRE GREG OLSON!
Doubtful that it’s Ian….I know the guy a little bit and he pretty much hates msg boards/comment sections. I’d be shocked if it was him
May 5th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
I’m honestly more excited about Clayborn and Foster than any of the other guys we drafted. Those two players are going to change the whole demeanor of the Bucs defense. We haven’t had a physical, violent “D” since Sapp & Co were in town. Glad to see us getting back to that. And if Bowers’ knee can hold up for a few years it’s just icing on the cake.
May 5th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
If he becomes 75% of ray lewis… great pick!
I have heard a couple national guys say how much they like Foster as well. One said he is first round talent and the other said he was shocked he didn’t go by mid-second round.
Personally, I feel the same way about Ahmed Black. He dropped because of the combine times… so what? Did other coaches even watch him play. The man plays fast because he is smart. He is a ballhawk and can tackle. He will be a starting safety by year two
May 5th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
Colin Cowherd had Dominick on his show this morning, and being an apparent resident or former resident or god only knows what of Seattle area (and in kind an apparent avid fan of the Huskies) he fawned over Mason Foster repeatedly during the interview and couldn’t believe we got him in the 3rd round.
I’m as impressed as the next guy by what I have seen by Foster in highlights and scout reports, but is it me or is an endorsement by Colin Cowherd the kiss of death or what? 🙁
May 5th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
If he’s only HALF of Ray Lewis, we will benefit!
I’m excited about Bowers, Clayborn and Foster (in that order) – being added to the set pieces of last years draft – Gerald McCoy and Brian Price – we could very well see the rebirth of the Buccaneer Defense!
…of course, it’s a bit more high-risk than the previous version – maybe that will be their new nick-name? What with Gerald McCoy heating-up so much at the end of the season that he actually ripped his bicep off the bone, and Brian Price going so hard early-on that he fractured a hip, and…it would seem that Clayborn’s one-armed BEAST immitation and Bowers playing with a problematic knee – not only seem tame by comparison – they pretty much fit perfectly into the “High-Risk/Wild-Child” Defensive line concept we’re laying the groundwork for….!
May 5th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Besides – Ruud really only functions as a mid-field/thrid Safety anyway – if Mason Foster comes in as advertised – a more fitting comparison (at least for me) might be that he reminds me more of Hardy Nickerson…
…has played/capable of playing all three positions, but at 6′ 2″, 242 and a mean-streak on the field…presents as the PERFECT missing-link!
…and a comparison to Hardy Nickerson – can only conjur up positive memories of the foundation of Dungy’s defensive turnaround!
I say give Foster the benefit of the doubt – let him prove to us that Raheem wasn’t just…blowing smoke!
May 5th, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Foster is the real deal folks, no question about it.
May 5th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Ray Lewis is a good comparison for Mason Foster in terms of ability to shed blocks and drive ballcarriers back rather than drag tackle. Foster should instantly improve the Bucs up the gut run defense. Foster seems to lack elite speed for sideline to sideline play and pass coverage. But he could definitely end up being a poor man’s Ray Lewis for the Bucs.
May 5th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Just saw Raheem said Foster was putting his face on everybody. When a guy is being his best self and taking off his underwear and putting his face on people, YOU KNOW HE IS THE REAL DEAL!!! 🙂
May 5th, 2011 at 6:43 pm
Raheem pumpin up Foster publicly just diminishes Ruud’s value to the team, making it easier to resign him…Just sayin
May 5th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Rah = Exaggerator/Pontificator.
Capt Tim said “I agree with Raheem( though I wouldn’t have said it on the air!” – that is because you are a whole lot brighter.
Foster a third Round pick equals one of the two or three greatest linebackers in the NFL in decades. What a value! in the third round. Wow! how did everyone else miss on him so many times? If I recall correctly – McCoy was supposed to be Warren Sapp. Have they claimed yet that Bowers will be Simeon Rice. Maybe Allen Bradford is Earl CAmpbell, Anthony gaitor is darrell green, Luke Stocker must easily equal Jason Witten, hell maybe even Tony Gonzalez. Didnt I hear that Clayborn is LeeRoy Selmon.
KIds Hall of FAmers are a very, very small percentage of drafted NFL players. The majority of these players will play less than 4 years in the league – they may last a tad longer here because ownership refuses to pay more than a few veterans even when they are better than the kids.
Point: You get all girlie of a player before he has participated in ONE, thats right ONE, NFL practice. Some guys dont translate. I.e. (especially in year 1) McCoy, Kyle Moore, Sabby and so on. . .
May 6th, 2011 at 2:58 am
Here you go again Thomas. Another one of your typical negative posts. Another shot at Raheem, another shot at McCoy. You are apparently a one trick pony. Again, why do you come here? Notice how when I brought it up on the last post, nobody argued that we don’t want you here. Yet you still come back. Nobody wants, or cares about your opinion. N-O-B-O-D-Y ! What does that say about you that you still post the same crap over and over. Your material is so old. I highly doubt you even believe what you write, yet you still write it. You are a joke to all of us, and a bad one at that. You are the very definition of a loser, and for the life of me I can’t figure out why you just won’t go away. I’m sure the Saints fans would love to hear your brilliant insight and expertise. Do us all a favor and GO AWAY!!!!!
May 6th, 2011 at 3:10 am
If you read the comments, he’s not saying he is the next Ray Lewis. He is just saying he has similar attributes. Besides, who would you want him to say? Would everyone be excited if he said he was like Takeo Spikes? He’s on the radio, with fans listening. He’s excited about the pick (obviously, or they wouldn’t have picked him), and he’s bringing some of his excitement to the fans. I fail to see anything wrong with that, then again my name is not Thomas 2.2 and I’m not a former clarinet player extraordinaire.
“If I recall correctly – McCoy was supposed to be Warren Sapp”
—–
No, you recall incorrectly, as usual. They said they expect him to be the disruptive DT like Sapp. There’s a big difference between saying that and saying he IS the next Sapp. I know that is probably too much for a clarinet player to comprehend, so I don’t know why I bother trying.
“The majority of these players will play less than 4 years in the league – they may last a tad longer here because ownership refuses to pay more than a few veterans even when they are better than the kids.”
——
This sentence doesn’t even make sense. So they will play longer because ownership won’t pay veterans? After 4 years, correct me if I’m wrong, but won’t they be veterans? Wouldn’t they get rid of them sooner and bring in more rookies if they were that cheap (especially with a rookie salary cap which is definitely coming). Make up your mind.
May 6th, 2011 at 9:29 am
@Hawaiian re: “This sentence doesn’t even make sense. So they will play longer because ownership won’t pay veterans?” If you dont understand how bringing in free agents or trading for accomplished vets can extend the employment of a marginal draft pick (like a Kyle Moore) then you are either intellectually incapable or stubbornly biased.
It is harder for a 3-7 round pick to make and stay on a team full of highly paid/vested vets than one without the guarantees/bonus commitments to vets on a limited roster of 53 +inactives.
Look at it this way: statistics show that players who are cut during their first camp have a much shorter career than players who arent. The bucs since Dom almost never cut draft picks before the first year – this virtually grants them one or two years because of the lack of vets. Thus, the statistics are skewed. On most teams, Kyle Moore would be gone.
Stop wasting your time with the personal attacks, they only encourage me by showing how I strike a live nerve. You all know that it was idiotic at this stage to compare Foster to Lewis – you are just too soft to admit (except for Capt Tim who objectivel did). Hawaiian – I dont recall sharing my personal opinions of your dim-witted, hysterical and myopic lust for all things Rah and Dom because it is not productive. EVERYBODY knows that whatever they do you will ejaculate over. They could cut Freeman tomorrow and you would find some glimmering light in that.
I have said repeatedly – this draft appears to me to be OKAY. I think Foster will be a solid pro (he is not Ray Lewis you kids). I think Clay or Bowers will be good (Bowers is a better player but the injury questions probably more serious). The remainder of the picks (I like Stocker as a blocker) are appropriate.
But to start spewing that this team is definitively much approved because of the drafting of these kids (being compared to hall of famers) is just absurd and must be admonished – particularly when the head coach is doing it.
So go dry your undies and get back to me after you have seen one practice against NFL players!
May 6th, 2011 at 11:30 am
@thomas
Werent you saying this same kind of stuff last offseason? Complaining about everything and how we were going to be terrible last year? Even with your predictions of disaster the Bucs still won 10 games (when you said they wouldnt even come close to it) but instead of admitting you were wrong about predicting wins and losses you just found excuses why they won. Now youre saying it all over again even though you were proven wrong last time. Whats going to be your excuse for why the Bucs win the division next year if they do?
May 6th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Thomas,
You once again spin things out of control. I do not “lust” everything Raheem and Dominik do, but I sure as hell don’t criticize everything they do like you. There is a big difference. I love how you wait until a decision is made before you criticize them. You say nothing about who you want drafted until after the draft, in which you b!tch and moan like a little school girl. I notice how you give no opinion of Talib, but you will somehow miraculously be on the other side of the fence from what they choose. I have my opinions, and I express them, but I don’t cry about the decisions made. Why, because I’m not in control of this team, and there is nothing I can do about it. Besides, I, unlike you, realize that they are actually qualified to run a team (much to your chagrin). They led an NFL team to a 10-6 record (from 3-13), which I guarantee is far better than you, I, or anyone else on this board could ever dream of doing, even with an easy schedule and “lucky” wins. Deny it all you want, it is the truth. It all boils down to are you a fan or not. We all know you are not, but you continue to avoid questions and spin facts. Again, you are not wanted here, but you are so lame that you don’t care. You even admit you do it just to irritate the people who love this team. I just can’t wait for this team to win and shut you up, because I know that is the only way you will go away. I, like everyone else on this board, can’t wait for that day to happen.
May 6th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
They led a 9-7 team to 3-13. Dont forget that. They didnt shift to this rebuild argument until after 0-7. This regime is 13-19, no playoffs, last and third in the division. I honestly believe i could have that record if put in charge for 2 years.
I agree this year is telling. Last year was a fluke and an anomaly due to a weak schedule further weakened by 2nd and 3rd string qbs.
The defense stunk, really the front 7. If they wib fewer games i want u b-tches to man up about it for once.
May 6th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
You guys just get all sensitive and defensive when your hysterical baby hc says something stupid. I think it is joe’s job to throw it out there for comments on all sides. The problem: you want to eliminate the realistic side.
May 6th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
“I honestly believe i could have that record if put in charge for 2 years.”
——–
Then you, my friend, are an even bigger fool than I thought. I can’t believe you actually wrote that. And yes, they did take a 9-7 team to 3-13, but you fail to mention that it was the result of an entire overhaul. Although no one liked the overhaul at the time (myself included), it was obviously the right decision. Gruden went 4-12 and 5-11 with a much more veteran team, but didn’t get fired. In fact, I rarely heard it brought up or used against him. And no, I never pleaded for Gruden to get fired. I didn’t particularly like him, but I acknowledged that, like every coach and GM in the league, they forget far more football than I will ever know. You, apparently, can’t figure that out.
There are no flukes in the NFL buddy. That’s a stupid comment. I don’t give a damn if you are playing against 5th string Qb’s, a win is a win in the NFL. It was even more impressive that we were so good on the road, especially on the west coast. In the past, it made no difference how good we were or how bad they were, we always got spanked over there.
Funny how you want us to man up if we lose this year. If I didn’t know any better, I would say you want us to lose. But no, couldn’t be right? Besides, you don’t man up when we win. I guess that’s how you live your pathetic little life.
I also love how you avoid questions. You still don’t acknowledge how you don’t take a stand on any issues, until the issues have been resolved. You still don’t acknowledge how you refuse to make a positive post, without putting a “but” in it. You refuse to acknowledge how you are incapable of creating a post without slamming Raheem or McCoy. Finally, you refuse to acknowledge that nobody wants you here. Why give an opinion that nobody wants to hear? But, like always, you will repeat yourself over and over again about how we are all sheep, Raheem was only hired because he was cheap, McCoy sucks, our draft class sucks, we are 13-19 under Raheem, 3rd in the division, and next year we will suck. But go ahead, prove me right.
May 13th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Obviously you didn’t watch ray lewis in his younger days..he flew around the field like willis does now and paved the way for athletic middle linebackers in the nfl…creampop