Foster Compared To No. 55

May 12th, 2011

When the Bucs drafted linebacker Mason Foster, Joe brought word from Foster’s hometown newspaper in California that Herm Edwards was a big Foster fan and knew him from his old neighborhood.

Speaking to Tom Krasniqi on 1040 AM earlier this week, Edwards explained that he went so far as to sell the love of Foster to Raheem Morris before the draft.

“I talked to Raheem before the draft and told him this kid can play Sam or Mike [linebacker],” Edwards said. “He’s a tackling machine. He fits their scheme.”

Edwards went on to compare Foster to (take a deep breath) Derrick Brooks because of the way Foster can play “sideline to sideline.” And Edwards also said Foster has some Shelton Quarles in him.

Sheesh, after Raheem put the Ray Lewis analogy on Foster last week, and now this high praise from Edwards, Joe’s not sure how Foster was on the board in the bottom half of the third round.

Either the Bucs got lucky, Mark Dominik’s a genius, or Foster’s not that special. Take your pick. It’s all speculation before these draft picks hit the field.

22 Responses to “Foster Compared To No. 55”

  1. RastaMon Says:

    offseason prattle…

  2. Fear The Glow Says:

    It sounds like someone is trying to soften the blow of letting Rudd leave in free agency by hyping this kid up.

    I don’t have a problem with Rudd leaving unless we have nobody to step in when he does.

    There’s a reason this kid was a third rounder.

  3. Thomas 2.2 Says:

    I have no doubt that herm liked foster, heck I recall Foster standing out when I watched Wash play- but it was against Hac 10 competition.

    Foster is no brooks, no lewis – both first round picks nc of tape and measurables. Brooks was undersized but fast, Lewis not undersized with good speed and great burst;obviously physical.

    Foster has good tape but not measurables, will it matter? Dont know. History says he will not be great – most third round picks are lucky to be solid starters. I think Foster will be one of those – but stop the ridiculousness. Herm is just saying that foster covers a lot of ground laterally. Remember brooks was a will backer, the one lb position that herm doesnt say he can play.

  4. WeNeedDefense Says:

    He is gonna get hurt now.

  5. HIRE GREG OLSON! Says:

    Hac 10 ay Thomas?

    What Conference did you play college football in again?

    Pac 10 was top to bottom, one of the best conferences this year…

  6. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    Yeah I guess having 2 teams finish in the top 5 is a weak conference? It isn’t the SEC, but the PAC 10 is historically just as good as every other conference. I’m surprised Thomas doesn’t know that with all of the scouting he does for his job.

  7. Kenneth Says:

    What stands out about Foster is his play against the run and his tackles for loss this past year. I really don’t care who you compare him to. As long as he can come up to the line and make a tackle a few times a game and does not get trucked by Chris Ivory multiple times during a game he will be Pro Bowl worthy around here.

  8. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    Besides, if you look back at the history of the NFL, there has certainly never been any great players to come out of the Hac 10. Isn’t that right Thomas?

  9. Tuggz Says:

    You people still judge a player’s worth by round selection? Blount, Brady, and a horde of others chuckle at you. So does Jamarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf.

  10. espo Says:

    I went undrafted yet again this year

  11. squadoosh1 Says:

    Everyone listen up!….the master draft scout Thomas has spoken and given his verdict on Foster….he’s going to suck. He along with our other two ends chosen that will be hurt all year and maybe for the rest of their careers…..along with the total bust that is GMC….lets all commit mass suicide….all hope is lost!

  12. Oahubuc Says:

    I watch an above-average amount of Washington games, and thought Foster fit our scheme like a glove. Easy on the Brooks comparisons though. Playing style and attitude, sure; but we’ll never see another Derrick Brooks in our lifetimes. Take him for what he is and enjoy the games.

  13. Dave Says:

    Not sure what the negatives on him were, never really saw any, so not sure why he fell so much. I guess people are in love with blitzing, sack machines who are one dimensional (miller, Houston).

    Foster is a tackling machine who is great against the run. He also is excellent in coverage, plays fast and has a nose for the ball.

    This defense is on the way back to the top 5… not top 10… TOP 5!

  14. Macabee Says:

    This may not have any bearing on Herm’s appraisal of Foster, but Herm and Foster are from the same hometown in Northern California.

  15. Macabee Says:

    Sorry, suffering from poster exhaustion, did’nt read the first paragraph!

  16. below me Says:

    I see the Shelton Eugene Quarles comparison, but not even close to Brooksie. Time will tell. Did Hardy ever have a son? Har-dy…Har-dy! I’m still h@rny!

  17. Al Says:

    1st ballot hall of famer

  18. espo Says:

    Squadoosh, thomas didn’t say he’d suck. He said he’d be a solid starter. I don’t think we can expect anything better from thomas.

  19. tommy Says:

    thomas, your late for your shift at burger king….dam joe ban this fool, if you do i will buy you beers for life…..im not kidding!!!

  20. Thomas 2.2 Says:

    I said I expect Foster to be a solid starter, just not the combo of ray lewis and 55.

    Tuggz your argument also applies to GMC, Clayborn and other early buc draft picks. I agree that Foster is more NFL ready than GMC was last year. I also love Bowers skill set just concerned about the knee.

  21. Jodikool716 Says:

    Why does everyone gets so bent out of shape when a player is spoke of in the same breath as some of the best. All its saying is that the player being spoken about just has some of the same playing styles as to them not that they are going to be as great as they was. Mason Foster may be as good as DB or better, Who really knows until he puts on the pads.

  22. OAR Says:

    So does that mean we have a Derrick Lewis or Ray Brooks? Let’s just wait til the pads are on, and he’s actually played in some NFL games!