Reuben Foster | Page 168 | 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)

Sep 10, 2017 at 2:29 PM

#2506

Jeepzilla
Veteran
Posts: 6,720

Originally posted by Mertonschickendance:
Any update injury?

He came back out of locker room but looked like he was limping

Sep 10, 2017 at 2:39 PM

#2507

Buchy
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Posts: 2,831

Ankle strapped. Hope it's minor.

Sep 10, 2017 at 2:52 PM

#2508

DonnieDarko
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Posts: 66,116

Any updates?

Sep 10, 2017 at 2:55 PM

#2509

mayo49
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Posts: 65,216

Please just don't let it be an ACL.

Sep 10, 2017 at 3:03 PM

#2510

Knowledge
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Posts: 14,705

Originally posted by mayo49:
Please just don't let it be an ACL.

Hes already back on the sideline in uniform with his ankle taped up

Sep 10, 2017 at 3:27 PM

#2511

NineFourNiner
Hall of Fame
Posts: 77,700

Is he died?

Sep 10, 2017 at 3:30 PM

#2512

niners94
Veteran
Posts: 12,647

Originally posted by NineFourNiner:
Is he died?

Glad he's ok, gonna be key to the turn around if it happens.

[ Edited by niners94 on Sep 10, 2017 at 3:30 PM ]

Sep 10, 2017 at 3:34 PM

#2513

4ML
Veteran
Posts: 53,668

Originally posted by mayo49:
Please just don't let it be an ACL.

Uhh it was the ankle

Sep 10, 2017 at 3:46 PM

#2514

mayo49
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Posts: 65,216

Originally posted by 4ML:

Originally posted by mayo49:
Please just don't let it be an ACL.

Uhh it was the ankle

Thank god.

Sep 10, 2017 at 4:42 PM

#2515

Boldjames
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Posts: 445

Looked like a high ankle sprain from where he was grabbing

Sep 10, 2017 at 4:43 PM

#2516

jrg
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Posts: 166,549

X-Rays on Fosters ankle negative after initial fears of broken tibia

Sep 10, 2017 at 4:50 PM

#2517

Eastcoastniner
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Posts: 3,141

Our only hope for this team's future

Sep 10, 2017 at 4:58 PM

#2518

captveg
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Posts: 29,282

Originally posted by jrg:
X-Rays on Fosters ankle negative after initial fears of broken tibia

Good news.

It'll be interesting to see if he's able to practice this week and/or play in the Seattle game. I expect them to be cautious in bringing him back. His career is more important than early 2017 results on a team that won't win more than 4-5 games even with him.

Sep 10, 2017 at 5:00 PM

#2519

Tru2RedNGold25
Veteran
Posts: 8,023

Originally posted by captveg:
Originally posted by jrg:
X-Rays on Fosters ankle negative after initial fears of broken tibia

Good news.

It'll be interesting to see if he's able to practice this week and/or play in the Seattle game. I expect them to be cautious in bringing him back. His career is more important than early 2017 results on a team that won't win more than 4-5 games even with him.

Exactly don't force him out there until fully healed this team ain't going anywhere anyways with or without him. This is another doomed Season.

Sep 10, 2017 at 5:01 PM

#2520

FredFlintstone
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Posts: 46,740

Got an update saying he expects to play next week