MOBILE, Ala. — Arian Foster could have made the leap to the NFL last year after putting up some very impressive numbers as a junior for Tennessee against some tough SEC defenses, but he chose to return for his senior year to further polish his skills.
Foster’s production decreased by more than 50 percent for the Vols in 2008, and he was trying to reclaim some respect from NFL coaches, general managers and scouts at this week’s Senior Bowl before a hamstring injury at Wednesday’s practice derailed him.
The 22-year-old native of San Diego, who was replaced on the roster and sent home, was one of three Vols (defensive lineman Robert Ayers and offensive guard Anthony Parker) on the South team, which is being coached by Jack Del Rio of the Jacksonville Jaguars and his staff. But Parker had to be carted off the field during the same practice with an ankle injury, leaving Ayers by himself for Saturday’s game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium
Foster is fully aware that his 570 rushing yards and one touchdown on 113 carries this past season didn’t come close to the 1,193 yards and 12 touchdowns on 245 carries he racked up in 2007, so he was almost starting from scratch in this senior showcase. Now he has to hope what he showed on Monday, Tuesday and prior to his injury Wednesday was enough to impress one of the 32 players and convince that team to draft him.
“I just want to show my versatility and that I can play this game at this speed and at this level,” said Foster, who finished his Tennessee career with 2,964 yards and 23 touchdowns on 651 carries. “I just want to be solid in every aspect of the game, whether it be blocking, catching, running the ball, everything; I want to be a football player. I just don’t want to be a running back.”
Foster’s favorite running back playing in the NFL is Brian Westbrook of the Philadelphia Eagles, who he considers the most versatile back in the league. He loves watching Westbrook run and has tried to model his game after the Pro Bowler, and he has been training in Arizona in preparation for this week, the NFL Combine next month in Indianapolis and April’s draft.
Former UT running back Reggie Cobb is a scout for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and he has been following Foster’s career closely. Cobb always pays attention to players from his alma mater and firmly believes they have an edge coming into the NFL because of the pro-style offense former coach Phillip Fulmer and his staff ran in Knoxville. But he knows how important this week was for Foster because of the drop-off he experienced this past year.
“This is an excellent opportunity for him and this is probably as big a week for him as it is for anybody,” Cobb said after Tuesday’s practice. “There are some questions just because he had such a good junior year and probably came back to improve his stock. It doesn’t always work the way you want it to do but we’ll judge him from what he does now forward.”
In 2007, Foster exhibited a lot of the qualities he admires in Westbrook by complimenting his running game with solid receiving skills. He caught 39 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns and totaled 83 receptions for 742 yards and two touchdowns over four seasons. But in 2008, Foster only managed one 100-yard rushing game in the second game of the season against UAB and was held under 75 yards eight times. The 26-14 loss at Georgia in the sixth game was the low point as he mustered just 3 yards on 3 carries.
Like Ayers and Parker, Foster credits Fulmer with preparing him for this moment. The fact that these three will be forever linked to Fulmer’s final senior class is not lost on Foster and it helped motivate him to perform at an even higher level this week.
“(Coach Fulmer’s) influence is great and he was a big part of the reason why I went to Tennessee,” Foster said. “A coach with that long of a tenure and longevity deserves all the respect in the world and we kind of carry that with us. The practices haven’t changed that much for us because we practiced at a fast tempo and an NFL pace and he emphasized that. He told us that one of the reasons why we put a lot of guys in the NFL is because of the way we practice here, and I see it now. It’s the same style and same tempo and I’m grateful to have gone to a place where they know what they’re doing.”
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Comments » 53
StroVol writes:
Hey Foster, try running real fast instead of goobin around with the damn ball. That might help your cause.
BlakeyWakey writes:
Foster sucks
eutefan writes:
Another Fulmer-is-the-greatest piece. Bleah!
Need_2_Know writes:
If some team roles the dice on Arian, they may well get one of the steals of the draft. Of course, it will depend a lot (see guys, how I didn't say alot, like most of you seem to) on what team he lands and their respective style of play. Given the performance of UT's offense overall, neither Foster nor most other running backs could be expected to produce big-time numbers.
Wait and see, if he gets healthy and stays that way during training camp, he'll be on a big screen near you in 2009.
I'll hang up and listen to your comments.
StroVol writes:
Did Clawson reach in and cause those fumbles? Come on guy
TrueVolFan writes:
How many fumbles did Foster have in 08? I don't remember many. Don't hang the ones Crompton dropped on Foster either. If HE never HAD IT, HE didn't fumble it.
SignalMtnVol writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
VolGraduate writes:
Good luck foster
StroVol writes:
Get over Coleman. He will start and can play. Have you seen him play a game? Jeez you call him a Blow job and don't have a clue.Crompton is an idiot. Game is too fast for him.
jimr07 writes:
who in blazes is coleman?
blitzshoot writes:
Fumbled four times from the five in ten tries. Can only imagine how things would have gone is a d-line was put on the field.
jgvol8 writes:
Foster sucks. Never make it at the next level. Glad hes gone. Period!
lomas98 writes:
So he was sent home and not playing? Doesn't look like he impressed anybody.
jgvol8 writes:
hes a pu$$y. probably tripped over five yard line then fumbled!
jgvol8 writes:
did you watch him play last year? he would receive the handoff, tip-toe for two steps until he fot to the line and fall down. That had nothing to do with the new system. he sucks!
lomas98 writes:
Didn't see he got hurt. Hopefully he can shine in combine or individual workouts. He is one who probably gets drafted late 2nd or early 3rd round last year. Not sure what his draft grade was. Conventional wisdom says to come back for sr. season and possibly get to first round. Hopefully scouts will look at his first 3 years instead of just his last.
givehim6 writes:
Good luck to Foster and the other guys. But I do think Foster should have went pro after his jr year.
volcycle writes:
One fumble... Foster only had one fumble. Check your stats. Foster will be fine in the NFL if someone will give him the chance. He's a smart bruising runner and that style is successful in the NFL.
shipperman#280095 writes:
I am 52, and have been watching the VOLS for most of my life. Clawson's spread was not implemented. The offense I saw last year was just like all the Majors and Fulmers offenses
NoogaVol55 writes:
Don't want to be the buzzkill...and with all due respect to Foster....I think he is too slow for the NFL. I don't see him being able to start, or, be a better backup than what teams already have. JMO.
GerryOP writes:
Yup, sure was. "Been doin' it that way for 17 years ...."
And now we have Clawson gainfully employed as a HC, our very own legend workin' part time as a talkin' head at ESPN, and UT is movin' on into the 21st century ... finally.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
You left out Foster as a late 5th round pick.
Kravmaga writes:
Foster fumbled an exchange with Pat White (WV QB) at Senior practice this week and immediately grabbed his hamstring afterwords and limped off the field....
GerryOP writes:
Right ... and I hope he goes to Oakland. Is that too far for his momma to travel to defend him?
tnvol27#546179 writes:
Cycle, Foster is not a bruising runner. For a big guy he tiptoes like hes a scat back & then cant out run my grandma. He didnt deliver a blow all year...he was never coached to lower his shoulder and punish any sob that wanted to tackle him..i do think he may have a chance but he has terrible habits developed from HORRIBLE coaching.
TommyJack writes:
Now that's pretty accurate.
cjraney writes:
I don't know much, but I do know someone will be starting...
cjraney writes:
Wow, tough crowd. If my son gave 4 yrs to UT I'd be pretty disappointed to read some of these comments about him.
Anyway, I wondered about that thigh bruise too. I even considered a conspiracy theory intended to protect the UT career rushing mark. Who knows.
abrown#232236 writes:
He had some ball security problems, but Cutcliffe cured those and the guy shined. Great vision, big frame, willing to do the dirty work. When he was coached up, he responded with improvement and performance. I wish him all the luck in the world, and screw you guys who are treating him like a leper. He's a kid and we should all wish for his success and continued growth. Thanks for the time you put in here in Knoxville, Arian!!
rockytopspottedbirgdog writes:
Dont be hating on Foster. He helped the Vols win a lot of games during his junior and senior seasons. Wish that we had more like him. He did have heart but suffured through injuries and a very predictable offense his senior year. Lay off him. Also lay off Briscoe, Crompton, Rodgers, and ecspecially coach Fulmer.
Ironcity writes:
Its amazing when you guys whine about the lack of class shown by these guys and then when they show class you trash them and show your lack of class. Foster ran hard. I think he does have ball security issues and he also seemed to have nagging injuries after his Freshman year. I wish him well in the NFL and hope for the best. One other thing, he stayed four years and got his degree. For that I congratulate him.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
UCLA at the 6 yard line. That's as many fumbles as rushing TDs as he had all year.
You can blame Crompton for Auburn but once again Foster was partly to blame.
hueypilot writes:
Again the level of hatred on this site is shocking. I assume that Foster worked his butt off for four years. He attended practices, played hard, even if you didn't like his style. I think he deserves better from Tennessee fans than to question his manhood and call him cheap-shot names. I'll guarantee you anybody on this site calling him names has never played a snap of college ball in their lives and would NEVER have the sand to say those things to this man's face. As for his chances in the leage,. The ranks of NFL running backs are filled with guys who's name you never heard of in college. I wish Arian Foster well and appreciate the effort he gave at my alma mater. I'm certain no one feels worse about his untimely fumbles than he does. Many times, particularly in his junior year, he was the go to guy and lots of times, he got it done. He deserves better from Tennessee fans than these chickens&*t posters.
DrJCrown_theMagicMan writes:
I am glad he is gone and I am glad he did not get the record.
I know The person thats got the rushing record has turned into a thug but he was not that way when he was at Tenn.
Plus who do you think was better Henry or Foster?
He cost us "alot" of ball games...
But hey good luck in the NFL!
BlackSilverVol writes:
Why you hatin' on the Raiders? They are dysfunctional enough as it is without wishing Foster on them.
BlackSilverVol writes:
HA!HA!HA!HA! You're funny......Foster helping the Vols win a lot of games his senior season....HA!HA!HA! I know that I can say stupid stuff sometimes, but it's good to know that I've got company.
xvolx writes:
hardest east-west runner I ever saw.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
damn right.
abrown#232236 writes:
Rich Rollin -- what you say is true in terms of fumbles under Cut, but when Cut returned, Foster held the ball high and tight, as opposed to the breadloaf style he had before and after. I coach AAU hoops, and if you REALLY want a guy to get something, you just drill him on it until its a habit.
This should have happened when he first got on campus, and been a rite of passage to playing time. It is a glaring example of the program's erosion in player development and especially fundamentals, of which there are many.
Guess you've never heard the expression "college kid." See...our society uses that expression because we still consider these people in the lifecycle phase of being polished/developed.
If you don't understand the lameness of trashing a guy who is done, who had a very disappointing last stanza, and is trying to work his way into a job, then may you go to prison and be shared between guards and inmates.
StroVol writes:
what? Do live in this state?bj Coleman .stay off this site !
jimr07 writes:
maybe the lack of coaching did.
jimr07 writes:
who is KDT0725? and do you know for a fact that he was not injured and faking it?
jimr07 writes:
AMEN.
jimr07 writes:
kiss my you know what. i will stay on here as long as i want.i did not recognize the name. who are you to tell me what to do? moron.
jimr07 writes:
and, no, i do not live in tennessee. been in houston, texas for about 38 years. i want to UT and probably graduated while you were still sucking your thumb and wetting the bed.
jimr07 writes:
first, i do not live in tennessee. i was born and raised there and graduated from there while you were still sucking your thumb and wetting the bed. you have no right to tell me or anyone else to stay off the site. have a nice day, moron.
VAvolfanRON writes:
what great fans we have on this sight.
if you can do better, then suit up and get on the field. otherwise leave your criticism at home!
Arian, GOOD LUCK my friend. I, for one, wish you well!!!
Thanks for the great games you gave me.
StroVol writes:
class of 95'here, haven't sucked my thumb in a while. Sorry you got miffed. Was A little shocked you didn't know who B.J.Coleman was.
luvorange writes:
OUCH! I thought it came down to us and So Cal. Hopefully, that perception will change. Out of curiosity, what did you say in return?
Bass_Vol_1998 writes:
his fumble against UCLA in the red zone was huge.
He has a history of gamebreaking fumbles. And I guess you are referring to Auburn this year or UF last year. Well i still think he should have got it.
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