Mason Foster Starting MLB - Page 3

brasho · 08-20-2011, 11:35 PM

McKenzie had done plenty in the battle for Mike... enough to get himself cut. He has been awful. He's soft, he doesn't take on blocks well, he's late to react... it's like he's channeling his inner Barrett Ruud. Too bad he doesn't have Ruud's athleticism because the guy had been pretty dreadful.

Foster has struggled a bit still in coverage, he hasn't shown the awareness in zones you'd like nor does he get very deep in his drops. He's guessing wrong at times in the run game and that has burned us, but I'm thinking he'll get better in that regard. He's done a pretty good job at the POA and willingness to try to meet plays in the hole. Overall, I think he's leading the MIKE battle by a wide-margin.... and at this stage I'd grade him out as maybe a C+.

V.I.P · 08-21-2011, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brasho

McKenzie had done plenty in the battle for Mike... enough to get himself cut. He has been awful. He's soft, he doesn't take on blocks well, he's late to react... it's like he's channeling his inner Barrett Ruud. Too bad he doesn't have Ruud's athleticism because the guy had been pretty dreadful.

I've been saying that about McKenzie since he got here. I don't know what people expected. He's Ruud without speed and athletic ability. Hell, IMO he's not even Ruud...there is a reason Bellick pet him leave at will and trust me it wasn't because he wanted to play closer to home...

Caddy · 08-21-2011, 01:10 AM

I've questioned what all the fuss was about from the beginning too...

brasho · 08-21-2011, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-I-P

I've been saying that about McKenzie since he got here. I don't know what people expected. He's Ruud without speed and athletic ability. Hell, IMO he's not even Ruud...there is a reason Bellick pet him leave at will and trust me it wasn't because he wanted to play closer to home...

I wasn't a fan when he was drafted and was surprised the Pats took him in round 3... then when Raheem picked him up he talked about how he was bigger, physical, etc... then the South Florida homers kept talking about what a stud he was while I said he wasn't athletic enough... didn't know he wasn't physical, instinctive, strong either.

bucfan12 · 08-21-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brasho

I wasn't a fan when he was drafted and was surprised the Pats took him in round 3... then when Raheem picked him up he talked about how he was bigger, physical, etc... then the South Florida homers kept talking about what a stud he was while I said he wasn't athletic enough... didn't know he wasn't physical, instinctive, strong either.

I agree to a point. I think McKenzie brought a ton of leadership to our team, but Foster also brings that and he is a physical player, something McKenzie isn't.

Foster was solid in coverage in college and has excellent awareness, but remember, he's a rookie who is still learning the scheme and didn't have a full offseason to do so, just like all rookies.

Honestly, this year, is going to be a tough year for rookies to make a transition.

brasho · 08-21-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucfan12

I agree to a point. I think McKenzie brought a ton of leadership to our team, but Foster also brings that and he is a physical player, something McKenzie isn't.

Foster was solid in coverage in college and has excellent awareness, but remember, he's a rookie who is still learning the scheme and didn't have a full offseason to do so, just like all rookies.

Honestly, this year, is going to be a tough year for rookies to make a transition.

Yeah, but we don't need leadership, we need playmakers...and McKenzie clearly is not that.

I never really saw Foster as particularly good in coverage in college. He's fairly rangy, but most of the splash plays he's made in his career were within 5-10 yards of the LOS. He will have to be able to get deeper on his drops and cover man-to-man eventually, because if he can't he will be exploited.

V.I.P · 09-02-2011, 12:16 PM

Tyrone McKenzie, CUT!

I think that has to do with him being ****, and Watson being able to play all 3 backer positions.

I know it was the last preseason game, and we didn't play starter, but i still think Foster would've benefited from a few snaps. Correct some mistakes.

DeadEagle · 11-13-2012, 10:35 AM

You know, it's pretty incredible to see how dropping one player (Geno Hayes) who doesn't know his responsibilities and forces another (Mason Foster) to cover his gaps too, for a rookie (Lavonte David) who actually understands team defensive concepts turns a LB corps that was awful into one that is pretty damn good.

Now if we can manage to rid ourselves of Quincy Black, and replace him with a SLB that can read & react with speed, we'd have a trio to be proud of.

BucSquad · 11-13-2012, 10:00 PM

I thought Black played average this year, of course he should have been playing better with that contract. I'm guessing Hayward will be the starter? I would like to see Watson as the starter, see if he can add to the pass rush.

But wow David has just been flat out amazing!

DeadEagle · 11-13-2012, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BucSquad

I thought Black played average this year

He only really looked better because of the other two LB's, and their play. His shortcomings haven't been as widely noticed, because they've been covered up.... for the most part.

I, personally, am curious to see who emerges to claim the playing time, and what impact they have..... positive or negative.