Reuben Foster | Page 1263 | 49ers Webzone Forum

slowriot · 2017-04-27T20:46:54-07:00

"I thought he'd be a top five pick. He's one of the best three, four linebackers to come out of college football in the last 10 years" - Linebackers coach Johnny Holland NFL.com OVERVIEW Alabama's star inside linebacker started his ascension to elite prospect status last summer when he lost 20 pounds. His newfound speed and agility, while keeping his trademark aggression and instincts, made him a unanimous first-team All-American and All-SEC pick. Foster also won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker and was a finalist for the Bednarik Award, leading the Tide with 115 tackles, 13 for which went for losses including five sacks. He won the SEC Championship MVP, as well (11 tackles, 2.5 for loss, two sacks). Foster was a starter as a junior (73 tackles, eight TFL, two sacks, nine pass break-ups) after two seasons as a key reserve MIKE linebacker and special teams ace (12 tackles in 2013; 22 tackles, two TFL in 2014). ANALYSIS STRENGTHS Alpha mentality with ferocious hitting style that puts offensive skill positions on alert. Outstanding athlete with springy, reactive feet. Lost 15 pounds in off-season, which gave him more speed and explosiveness. Loose hips and long stride allows him to open and chase immediately. Has elite sideline-to-sideline range. Tough as nails. Brings swagger to a linebacking corps. Never passive and always means it. Willing to take his shots downhill and into gaps. Lands strong warning blows on climbing guards early in the game. Coverage ability is an asset. Logged 10 passes defensed in 2015. Can carry long speed against running backs on wheel routes and nine routes. Has worked to improve tackling technique, which has yielded higher success rate of finishes. WEAKNESSES Instincts are just average. Overly reliant on speed and athleticism over instincts and feel. Can be a tick slow to respond to play-action. Inconsistent defeating blocks. Too eager to take on everyone at the point of attack. Gets shoulder covered up firing into incoming blockers. Needs to improve stack and shed technique to keep himself clean. Will drop his head at times as tackler. Poor tackling technique led to "stinger" issues early in his career. DRAFT PROJECTION Round 1 SOURCES TELL US "He's not a MIKE linebacker. I think he's a pure run-and-hit WILL linebacker with good cover talent. I'm worried about what his medicals will show because he's had some issues with stingers during his career. I have a higher grade on him than I had on Reggie Ragland. Better pro potential to me." -- NFC director of scoutingNFL COMPARISON Bobby Wagner BOTTOM LINE Foster is a vicious hitter with elite playmaking range and an ability to toggle between 225 and 240 pounds. Athleticism gives him cover ability that former teammate Reggie Ragland never possessed. Has Pro Bowl potential as a 3-4 inside linebacker or a 4-3 weak-side linebacker, but concerns over his medical history could be a consideration, according to some teams. CBS PLAYER OVERVIEW Defensive lineman Jonathan Allen was Alabama's best player in 2016. Foster, because of his potential and skill set, wasn't far behind in the mind of most NFL scouts. Starting for just the second season of his college career in 2016, Foster immediately erased concerns as to how Alabama might replace last year's leader and SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Reggie Ragland, winning the Butkus Award and consensus All-American honors with 115 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and five sacks. Like many Alabama players, Foster signed with the Tide as an elite prep prospect, earning consensus prep All-American honors and being ranked the top inside linebacker prospect in the country. He capped his prep career with an invitation to the 2013 Under Armour All-America game, where he was named Defensive MVP. Despite the buzz, Foster had to wait his turn before seeing the field, only emerging as a full-time starter as a junior. While waiting for his turn at linebacker, Foster developed a reputation as a fierce hitter on special teams coverage units, registering 12 tackles as a true freshman in 2013 and 22 stops (including two for loss and a sack) as a sophomore before enjoying a breakout campaign at WILL linebacker in 2015, finishing second to Reggie Ragland - the SEC Defensive Player of the Year - with 73 tackles (including eight for loss) and behind only nickel cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick with nine pass breakups. As the NFL has increasingly turned to the passing game, inside linebackers have dropped in value. That won't be the case with Foster, however, whose sideline to sideline speed, explosive hitting and experience in coverage makes him one of the few linebackers in recent years who truly projects as a three-down defender at the position. With all due respect to Ragland - a more instinctive and reliable open-field tackler than Foster - this latest Alabama star at linebacker projects even better to the NFL. STRENGTHS: At a rock solid 6-1, 240 pounds with broad shoulders, a trim middle and well-built limbs, Foster offers prototypical size for an inside linebacker role. His greatest attribute, however, is his pure explosiveness. Whether it be his outstanding sideline-to-sideline speed or the impact he generates with his collisions, Foster is a heat-seeking missile hell-bent on destruction. Just as aggressive as he is athletic, Foster attacks would-be blockers in the running game, jolting opponents with a powerful punch that can leave them staggering. When blockers are successful in latching onto him, Foster shows impressive leg drive and balance to anchor, creating a pile runners have to avoid and easy tackle opportunities for teammates. Foster is a true lights-out hitter, generating bone-rattling hits due to his acceleration and compact frame. He launches himself into ballcarriers, typically wrapping his arms securely, as well, for the flashy but efficient take-down. Foster shows acute diagnosis skills. He takes sharp angles to the ball, often beating blockers to the action and surprising ballcarriers with his closing speed. Foster keeps his eyes locked onto the quarterback when in coverage, breaking quickly as the pass is released, often initiating contact with the intended receiver just as the ball arrives. WEAKNESSES: At times, Foster appears too athletic and aggressive for his own good. His sharp pursuit angles leave little room for error and, at times, he can get a little too far over his skis, flailing his arms to keep his balance while throttling down to change direction. Savvy quarterbacks can manipulate Foster with their eyes and he'll lose track of receivers around him, closing the gap between them only after the ball is being thrown. While this can result in some big collisions (and passes broken up), Foster can improve his coverage with greater route awareness and patience. To this point, Foster's calling card has been his explosive hits, but he has to be careful about lowering his head when tackling. Further, he remains unpolished as a pass rusher. Foster's power and aggression shine through when rushing the quarterback, but he is largely reliant on a simple bull rush or shoulder dip. Suffered various "minor" injuries in 2016, including to his arm, knee and head (concussion), each of which will require careful evaluation from team doctors at the Combine. IN OUR VIEW: With all due respect to Myles Garrett and the rest of this dynamic edge rusher class, Foster might just be the most explosive defender in the entire 2017 draft. An intimidating face-up hitter with sideline-to-sideline speed, Foster projects as an immediate difference-maker in the middle in the NFL and a possible top 10 choice. COMPARES TO: Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers (retired): Willis did it at a higher level for longer at Mississippi but he did not have to wait his turn like Foster at Alabama, who was left to star in a supporting role on defense and special teams early. Once unleashed, however, his sheer explosiveness made him an undeniable force for the Tide. If able to remain healthy - a legitimate concern given the mighty collisions he creates - Foster projects as a future Pro Bowler. --Rob Rang (1/23/17)

May 20, 2019 at 3:54 PM

#18931

random49er
Veteran
Posts: 14,815

Originally posted by Young2Rice:
One of the stupidest draft picks we've ever made.

Violent Tendencies? Check

Drug Issues? Check

Injury issues. Check

FIRST ROUND STEAAALLLLLLLZLZLZLZOLOLOL Big pimpin Lynch!

May 20, 2019 at 3:57 PM

#18932

Memphis9er
Veteran
Posts: 12,511

Karma, ain't she about a b***h....

May 20, 2019 at 4:01 PM

#18933

random49er
Veteran
Posts: 14,815

Originally posted by genus49:
Nobody should be cheering injuries, especially serious ones regardless of whether you think there's "karma" involved or not.

Not going to lie I was hoping he'd be a failure for Washington but always assumed it would come with another off the field situation. I hope he gets back healthy but we never regret losing him regardless.

If he roughs up women, all bets are out the window and they can cheer all the injuries to him they want.

And Karma Shmarma,.....some guys like him are simply more injury prone than others. A well-known fact that teams often try to work around if the talent is there.

May 20, 2019 at 4:02 PM

#18934

RiceOwensStokes
Veteran
Posts: 9,477

Originally posted by mcbaes72:
Originally posted by Young2Rice:
One of the stupidest draft picks we've ever made.

Violent Tendencies? Check

Drug Issues? Check

Injury issues. Check

FIRST ROUND STEAAALLLLLLLZLZLZLZOLOLOL Big pimpin Lynch!

Don't forget, Lynch would've drafted Froster 3rd overall if Bears grabbed Solomon Thomas after trading with us.

I remember how new GM Lynch was a genius for trading up right when Saints were ready to select him.

Yeah we totally screwed the Bears over that night

May 20, 2019 at 4:06 PM

#18935

KamLeon
Member
Posts: 1,319

I don't wish injuries on any player and even the discussion of injured players makes me feel like it will guide bad fortune our way. It is crazy the way things work out sometimes. Foster has been one of the biggest disappointments we've ever had on and off the field, but the disappointment Redskin fans must be feeling right now has to be pretty big, that being said, I'm sure they were happy as hell to get him for nothing. Proof that nothing's free.

May 20, 2019 at 4:08 PM

#18936

Phoenix49ers
Veteran
Posts: 131,555

Originally posted by GhostOfBaalke:
He didn't f**k the team over. The team f**ked themselves over picking a LB in the first round with reported attitude problems, undersized AND an injury history, other teams thought his shoulder surgery didn't take but of course we thought it was fine. They took a risk that 30 other teams didn't want to take that early and we paid for it.

Originally posted by Young2Rice:
One of the stupidest draft picks we've ever made.

Violent Tendencies? Check

Drug Issues? Check

Injury issues. Check

FIRST ROUND STEAAALLLLLLLZLZLZLZOLOLOL Big pimpin Lynch!

Meh it was seen as a great value at the time. You get a Top 5 level prospect late in the 1st? People were nutting all over Arizona and Seattle for doing the same thing. You gamble, sometimes it works out, sometimes it blows up in your face.

The good thing is that they made up for it with their acquisitions of Warner and Alexander and are now looking pretty much exclusively at high character players.

May 20, 2019 at 4:11 PM

#18937

Phoenix49ers
Veteran
Posts: 131,555

Originally posted by Aj_hwd954:
Yeah we totally screwed the Bears over that night

They moved down a spot and still got the guy they were going to take in the first place.

Meanwhile the picks they received turned into Pettis and Warner.

Move down a spot and add two starters to your team because Pace panicked over possibly losing Mr Biscuit? I'll take it.

May 20, 2019 at 4:15 PM

#18938

Jeepzilla
Veteran
Posts: 6,720

Originally posted by Rascal:
Even before this ACL incident, he already couldn't stay on the field. The chronic shoulder injury is real which was also partially why teams stayed away from him in the draft apart from his off field issues.

Has it been confirmed it's an ACL?
Sorry seen it

[ Edited by Jeepzilla on May 20, 2019 at 4:16 PM ]

May 20, 2019 at 4:19 PM

#18939

Phoenix49ers
Veteran
Posts: 131,555

Originally posted by Jeepzilla:
Has it been confirmed it's an ACL?
Sorry seen it

And worse. It was reported that it wasnt a clean tear, possibly MCL and some other damage too. He will have a lengthier than usual rehab ahead of him it seems. Feel bad for the guy. Even if he is a knucklehead, that sucks.

May 20, 2019 at 4:20 PM

#18940

frankieuc68
Veteran
Posts: 5,907

Dang, Ferrari Foster on a violent crash! Feel sorry for this dude actually.

May 20, 2019 at 4:28 PM

#18941

Jeepzilla
Veteran
Posts: 6,720

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Originally posted by Jeepzilla:
Has it been confirmed it's an ACL?
Sorry seen it

And worse. It was reported that it wasnt a clean tear, possibly MCL and some other damage too. He will have a lengthier than usual rehab ahead of him it seems. Feel bad for the guy. Even if he is a knucklehead, that sucks.

Yea I Definitely feel bad for him.
I moved on from him as soon as he wasn't on the team. Was hoping he'd get his s**t together.

May 20, 2019 at 4:30 PM

#18942

Fanaticofnfl
Veteran
Posts: 20,837

Originally posted by genus49:

Not going to lie I was hoping he'd be a failure for Washington but always assumed it would come with another off the field situation.

You really shouldn't say this dude. Makes it sound like you were hoping he would break the law or mess up a woman. You shouldn't be "hoping" for that in any scenario.

It's okay to root against him as a player, but to hope something bad to him happens outside of the world of football (and this includes injury) is not appropriate.

May 20, 2019 at 4:33 PM

#18943

ninerjok
Veteran
Posts: 19,301

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Originally posted by Jeepzilla:
Has it been confirmed it's an ACL?
Sorry seen it

And worse. It was reported that it wasnt a clean tear, possibly MCL and some other damage too. He will have a lengthier than usual rehab ahead of him it seems. Feel bad for the guy. Even if he is a knucklehead, that sucks.

Read something he also has artery damage somewhere in the knee. Don't know specifically what artery.

May 20, 2019 at 4:35 PM

#18944

LasVegasWally
Veteran
Posts: 24,837

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by GhostOfBaalke:
He didn't f**k the team over. The team f**ked themselves over picking a LB in the first round with reported attitude problems, undersized AND an injury history, other teams thought his shoulder surgery didn't take but of course we thought it was fine. They took a risk that 30 other teams didn't want to take that early and we paid for it.

Originally posted by Young2Rice:
One of the stupidest draft picks we've ever made.

Violent Tendencies? Check

Drug Issues? Check

Injury issues. Check

FIRST ROUND STEAAALLLLLLLZLZLZLZOLOLOL Big pimpin Lynch!

Meh it was seen as a great value at the time. You get a Top 5 level prospect late in the 1st? People were nutting all over Arizona and Seattle for doing the same thing. You gamble, sometimes it works out, sometimes it blows up in your face.

The good thing is that they made up for it with their acquisitions of Warner and Alexander and are now looking pretty much exclusively at high character players.

Ditto

May 20, 2019 at 4:37 PM

#18945

LasVegasWally
Veteran
Posts: 24,837

I hope he recovers.

But, I won't lose any sleep either way.