Foster To Open Season As Panthers' Starting RB (1 Viewer)

[packersfan]

From their Whispers section:

Sources tell us Panthers RB DeShaun Foster is getting most of the first-team reps in training camp -- and will enter the season as the starter for the second straight year -- because the coaching staff is more comfortable with his pass-blocking abilities than those of diminutive second-year RB DeAngelo Williams.

 

[Native]

John Fox doesnt get enough credit for being a destroyer of FF running backs.

 

[supermark_28]

Absolutely love him this year. Definitely looks like he will outperform his ADP.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

i swear I wont take foster as my rb3 this year

i swear I wont take foster as my rb3 this year

i swear I wont take foster as my rb3 this year

i swear I wont take foster as my rb3 this year

i swear I wont take foster as my rb3 this year

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

There was a gap between what I saw when I watched Foster's runs this weekend and what I expected from the reports on this board. The most impressive part of the runs was really the holes the line opened up. Foster showed good vision, and he ran tough, but his cuts weren't THAT explosive (effective, but not explosive), and he still didn't show that much elusiveness or creativity. I can't help but think Williams would have done the same or more with those runs.

That being said, I agree that the job will be Foster's to open the season, and that Foster will probably continue to play a large role no matter how well Williams does.

 

[zamboni]

He may begin the season as the starter, but I have to think that eventually Williams will take over the job. Also, Foster seems allergic to the end zone, so I'm not sure he would be the guy at the stripe anyway.

 

[David Yudkin]

I have been saying this since LAST YEAR. Williams could still wind up taking over at some point, but I don't think he begins the season as the starter.

 

[Warpig]

The sky is blue and grass is green.

I'm a friggin' genius!

 

[BassNBrew]

The Carolina homers have been whispering this for months.

The only significant change I noted this weekend is that one of these guys might actually be a decent play with some injury help. Let's see how the o-line looks against a real defense before getting too excited.

 

[purestrength]

Any chance of Goings being used at the goal line?

 

[BassNBrew]

Any chance of Goings being used at the goal line?

Goings will get touches this year. I don't an inclination as to the "goal line back" yet. On Saturady they went straight to Steve Smith.

 

[packersfan]

The Carolina homers have been whispering this for months.

Maybe you need to speak up.

 

[LHUCKS]

Can we bump the Deangelo Williams hype threads now?

 

[Da Guru]

I will not have a RB with a "De" in his first name, nor with I have a RB named "Bell" on my team!!

 

[Wingnut]

In before Otis

 

[AnonymousBob]

Anybody that didn't see this coming had their head in the sand.

 

[dwaynecherokee]

Anybody that didn't see this coming had their head in the sand.

indeed

 

[Todem]

There was a gap between what I saw when I watched Foster's runs this weekend and what I expected from the reports on this board. The most impressive part of the runs was really the holes the line opened up. Foster showed good vision, and he ran tough, but his cuts weren't THAT explosive (effective, but not explosive), and he still didn't show that much elusiveness or creativity. I can't help but think Williams would have done the same or more with those runs.That being said, I agree that the job will be Foster's to open the season, and that Foster will probably continue to play a large role no matter how well Williams does.

Correct me if I am wrong but didn't Foster play with a plate on his ankle from the bad ankle break he had in the 2005 post season? I think knowing you have a plate holding togerther your ankle can't be very comforting.Foster seems to look quicker and not as sluggish. I know it was only the first pre-season game but he may very well outperform his ADP.1100 Yards and 6 TD's would be a nice season for a guy who can be your RB3 or even 4.The fact Williams is not starting tells me a lot about how they think of him to this point. I watched him last year like everyone else and expected him to take over this year. But it has not happened.Fox is not going to risk his job and a trip to the post season if he thought Foster was not the better player at this point. Seriously.They were picked by many to be a Super Bowl contender last season.

 

[David Yudkin]

1100 Yards and 6 TD's would be a nice season for a guy who can be your RB3 or even 4.

People still are not keen on Foster. I recently got him as my RB5 in a 12-team redraft league.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Can we bump the Deangelo Williams hype threads now?

Week 3 of the regular season.

 

[kupcho1]

From their Whispers section:

Well that settles it.

 

[AnonymousBob]

From their Whispers section:

Well that settles it.

No, it doesn't. But it puts another nail in the coffin for DeAngelo supporters. Why D. Williams continues to get drafted ahead of the actual starter is beyond me.

 

[shadyridr]

From their Whispers section:

Well that settles it.

No, it doesn't. But it puts another nail in the coffin for DeAngelo supporters. Why D. Williams continues to get drafted ahead of the actual starter is beyond me.

Same reason MJD gets drafted ahead of Fred Taylor.

 

[packersfan]

From their Whispers section:

Well that settles it.

No, it doesn't. But it puts another nail in the coffin for DeAngelo supporters. Why D. Williams continues to get drafted ahead of the actual starter is beyond me.

He's not alone in that regard. Barber is going ahead of Jones and Peterson typically has gone ahead of Taylor. Owners are chasing the upside plays which (at least with Jones and Foster in my opinion) are making the "starter" the better value play.ETA - I was going to add Jones-Drew but see he was mentioned in the post above this one. But he obviously qualifies as well.

 

[AnonymousBob]

From their Whispers section:

Well that settles it.

No, it doesn't. But it puts another nail in the coffin for DeAngelo supporters. Why D. Williams continues to get drafted ahead of the actual starter is beyond me.

Same reason MJD gets drafted ahead of Fred Taylor.

I'm not saying it's wrong to take MJD before Fred Taylor. It IS nonsense to take DeAngelo before Foster. Personally, I don't think either Panthers rb will do much but it's not as though DeAngelo lit the world on fire last year like MJD.

 

[packersfan]

It's not nonsense to take Williams ahead of Foster if:

1. You think Williams is the superior talent.

2. You don't think Foster is any good.

3. You don't think Foster can stay healthy.

4. All of the above.

 

[kupcho1]

From their Whispers section:

Well that settles it.

No, it doesn't. But it puts another nail in the coffin for DeAngelo supporters. Why D. Williams continues to get drafted ahead of the actual starter is beyond me.

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. I said that settles it.

It's not a "nail", its a nuclear bomb. The source is Whispers from Pro Football Weekly for Christ's sake. If PFW had been wrong even once in the past I'd be willing to leave the question open. But - and I'd love to see a link proving otherwise - they've never been wrong on anything.

It's over.

Draft Foster and let some other sucker take DeAngelo. Win your Championship.

 

[AnonymousBob]

It's not nonsense to take Williams ahead of Foster if:1. You think Williams is the superior talent.2. You don't think Foster is any good.3. You don't think Foster can stay healthy.4. All of the above.

John Fox has no history of giving the ball to the old veteran when the young rb is clearly outperforming him? Should we go look at Stephen Davis/DeShaun Foster?I'll give you the health concern but for where he's getting drafted that is well worth the risk.

 

[packersfan]

It's not nonsense to take Williams ahead of Foster if:1. You think Williams is the superior talent.2. You don't think Foster is any good.3. You don't think Foster can stay healthy.4. All of the above.

John Fox has no history of giving the ball to the old veteran when the young rb is clearly outperforming him? Should we go look at Stephen Davis/DeShaun Foster?I'll give you the health concern but for where he's getting drafted that is well worth the risk.

I think you're misunderstanding me. I happen to like Foster quite a bit given his ADP. There's no risk where he's being drafted and plenty of potential upside as a RB3. I was just answering why I don't think it's outrageous to see Williams being taken ahead of him.

 

[AnonymousBob]

From their Whispers section:

Well that settles it.

No, it doesn't. But it puts another nail in the coffin for DeAngelo supporters. Why D. Williams continues to get drafted ahead of the actual starter is beyond me.

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. I said that settles it.

It's not a "nail", its a nuclear bomb. The source is Whispers from Pro Football Weekly for Christ's sake. If PFW had been wrong even once in the past I'd be willing to leave the question open. But - and I'd love to see a link proving otherwise - they've never been wrong on anything.

It's over.

Draft Foster and let some other sucker take DeAngelo. Win your Championship.

I'm sorry, I was under the mistaken assumption the Shark Pool was for discussing information that may or may not be relevant to fantasy football. I think BOTH rb's will be a mediocre option (at best). But why should someone think DeAngelo is going to win the job? Too many people get their mind set on a player they want to see perform well and they refuse to look at anything that won't help them reinforce that belief.

 

[pantherclub]

It's not nonsense to take Williams ahead of Foster if:1. You think Williams is the superior talent.2. You don't think Foster is any good.3. You don't think Foster can stay healthy.4. All of the above.

Foster runs either really hot or really cold. I am tempering my expectations of Foster. just because he ran good on Sat doesnt mean squat in my book. he always seems to do that one game or two but then it is back to stutter stepping. Foster cannot stay healthy in part because he runs so high. Also he still carries the football like a loaf of bread. D Williams is more talented, shiftyer(sp?) and faster. I have been saying on this board that Foster will start the season due to Fox's alligience to vets but Williams will overtake him. Barring injury. For all of us Panther fans we know the true Foster.

 

[David Yudkin]

The reason Williams is still getting taken beofre Foster is this . . .

What people don't know about Williams is potentially more exciting than what they do know about Foster.

Foster has not lit the world on fire so therefore Williams should at least get the chance to have his shot. The problem is, the Panthers brass apparently don't feel that he's done well enough to date to merit a shot as the main guy.

 

[GregR_2]

There's nothing like getting a starting RB in the 12th round to be your RB5, especially when his backup is going in the 5th. Very possible that DW could take over the starting job eventually. But at what both of them are costing to get today, Foster is a great value.

The news about the pass-blocking ability is especially good to hear as a Foster owner, as they may stick with him even if DW is running better when spelling him.

 

[omally]

For all of us Panther fans we know the true Foster.

I'm a Panther fan, and I don't agree on all your views of Foster.

 

[pantherclub]

For all of us Panther fans we know the true Foster.

I'm a Panther fan, and I don't agree on all your views of Foster.

Please tell me your opinion of Foster then.

 

[kupcho1]

From their Whispers section:

Well that settles it.

No, it doesn't. But it puts another nail in the coffin for DeAngelo supporters. Why D. Williams continues to get drafted ahead of the actual starter is beyond me.

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. I said that settles it.

It's not a "nail", its a nuclear bomb. The source is Whispers from Pro Football Weekly for Christ's sake. If PFW had been wrong even once in the past I'd be willing to leave the question open. But - and I'd love to see a link proving otherwise - they've never been wrong on anything.

It's over.

Draft Foster and let some other sucker take DeAngelo. Win your Championship.

I'm sorry, I was under the mistaken assumption the Shark Pool was for discussing information that may or may not be relevant to fantasy football. I think BOTH rb's will be a mediocre option (at best). But why should someone think DeAngelo is going to win the job? Too many people get their mind set on a player they want to see perform well and they refuse to look at anything that won't help them reinforce that belief.

No need to apologize. Just trying to point out that PFW's Whispers section is not the most reliable source. Of course in this case they have the benefit of relaying what is now conventional wisdom as some sort of inside information. (BTW, he (so-called) "shark move" was favoring Foster over DeAngelo in March, not August.)

But to make a definitive statement at this point in time seems senseless, particularly given Foster's propensity for injury. Unless of course a person's mind is "set on a player they want to see perform well and they refuse to look at anything that won't help them reinforce that belief."

 

[packersfan]

It's not nonsense to take Williams ahead of Foster if:1. You think Williams is the superior talent.2. You don't think Foster is any good.3. You don't think Foster can stay healthy.4. All of the above.

Foster runs either really hot or really cold. I am tempering my expectations of Foster. just because he ran good on Sat doesnt mean squat in my book. he always seems to do that one game or two but then it is back to stutter stepping. Foster cannot stay healthy in part because he runs so high. Also he still carries the football like a loaf of bread. D Williams is more talented, shiftyer(sp?) and faster.

I also believe that Williams is the more talented RB. However, at this time Foster is clearly ahead of him on the depth chart. And given his ADP he's a strong value pick. Like I said before, there's no downside if you're grabbing him at that spot and it's all upside. I fully expect him to get hurt again and I do think Williams has the better fantasy season when it all shakes out, but if you can get a starting RB in the 90-100 range that's a pretty good deal in my opinion.

 

[omally]

For all of us Panther fans we know the true Foster.

I'm a Panther fan, and I don't agree on all your views of Foster.

Please tell me your opinion of Foster then.

I think Foster is talented, and a lot of that talent has been wasted because they have used the wrong plays for his running style. Changing systems can make a world of difference to some players, and I think Foster is one of those players. Last year the offensive line was put together by string after all the injuries, and that made it even harder for Foster to succeed. I agree that Foster carries the ball like a loaf of bread sometimes, but he doesn't always do that. He is a good blocker, something Williams isn't at the moment, and he is also a stronger runner than Williams, although Williams is faster, and as you said shiftier. Foster has always had a great attitude too. I find it funny all the talk about Foster's health, when Williams missed more time than Foster last year due to injuries, and right now Williams is nursing a sore ankle. I'd love to see them both do well this year, but I don't think Williams is head and shoulders above Foster at this point. I'm sure they will utilize each one the way they feel will best benefit the team. Fox isn't in the position anymore to play a vet out of loyalty. He now has to play who will best benefit the team out on the field, and Foster not only has the support of Fox, he also has the support of Jerry Richardson.

 

[gianmarco]

For all of us Panther fans we know the true Foster.

I'm a Panther fan, and I don't agree on all your views of Foster.

Please tell me your opinion of Foster then.

I think Foster is talented, and a lot of that talent has been wasted because they have used the wrong plays for his running style. Changing systems can make a world of difference to some players, and I think Foster is one of those players. Last year the offensive line was put together by string after all the injuries, and that made it even harder for Foster to succeed. I agree that Foster carries the ball like a loaf of bread sometimes, but he doesn't always do that. He is a good blocker, something Williams isn't at the moment, and he is also a stronger runner than Williams, although Williams is faster, and as you said shiftier. Foster has always had a great attitude too. I find it funny all the talk about Foster's health, when Williams missed more time than Foster last year due to injuries, and right now Williams is nursing a sore ankle. I'd love to see them both do well this year, but I don't think Williams is head and shoulders above Foster at this point. I'm sure they will utilize each one the way they feel will best benefit the team. Fox isn't in the position anymore to play a vet out of loyalty. He now has to play who will best benefit the team out on the field, and Foster not only has the support of Fox, he also has the support of Jerry Richardson.

 

[massraider]

One would think if DeAngelo was that much more talented than DeShaun, he'd take the job. Blocking problems or no, if he was a stud, they'd give him the rock.

I like the ignore DeAngelo early, grab Foster late move.

 

[Two Deep]

1100 Yards and 6 TD's would be a nice season for a guy who can be your RB3 or even 4.

People still are not keen on Foster. I recently got him as my RB5 in a 12-team redraft league.

Maybe the fact that he has never played a full season and only averages two TDS a year has something to do with it.....

 

[gianmarco]

1100 Yards and 6 TD's would be a nice season for a guy who can be your RB3 or even 4.

People still are not keen on Foster. I recently got him as my RB5 in a 12-team redraft league.

Maybe the fact that he has never played a full season and only averages two TDS a year has something to do with it.....

I know, and DeAngelo can't even win the job from a guy that "has never played a full season and only averages two TDS a year".......hmmmm

 

[smackdaddies]

i swear I wont take foster as my rb3 this yeari swear I wont take foster as my rb3 this yeari swear I wont take foster as my rb3 this yeari swear I wont take foster as my rb3 this yeari swear I wont take foster as my rb3 this year

ditto

 

[bocksheesh]

One would think if DeAngelo was that much more talented than DeShaun, he'd take the job. Blocking problems or no, if he was a stud, they'd give him the rock.I like the ignore DeAngelo early, grab Foster late move.

If one were targetting DeShaun Foster late, what round in a 12-team league should one plan on taking Foster?

 

[Fear & Loathing]

Absolutely love him this year. Definitely looks like he will outperform his ADP.

This one had me rolling. I bet Anthony Thomas outperforms his ADP too, but it doesn't follow that I love him and want him anywhere near a starting lineup this year or ever again.

It's un-bee-lievable that people still want to count on Foster for their fantasy production.

 

[GregR_2]

One would think if DeAngelo was that much more talented than DeShaun, he'd take the job. Blocking problems or no, if he was a stud, they'd give him the rock.I like the ignore DeAngelo early, grab Foster late move.

If one were targetting DeShaun Foster late, what round in a 12-team league should one plan on taking Foster?

His ADP is 12th round, though I'd expect it to climb as more of the masses realize he's the starter. I took him took him this weekend in the 12th of an IDP league and don't think he'd have lasted any longer as the final RBs who slid were all taken around there. If it were a team defense league I'd expect him to be going even earlier as IDPs suck up a lot more mid round picks than team defense do.

 

[Ilov80s]

One would think if DeAngelo was that much more talented than DeShaun, he'd take the job. Blocking problems or no, if he was a stud, they'd give him the rock.I like the ignore DeAngelo early, grab Foster late move.

If one were targetting DeShaun Foster late, what round in a 12-team league should one plan on taking Foster?

In 12 team mocks I saw today, Foster went 6.11, 8.4, 8.3 and 9.3

 

[Team Legacy]

I agree with those who say, "Drafting DWill is due to what we KNOW about his talent versus Fosters. He's vastly superior to Foster. Veterans need to LOSE their job, not have it taken away. Fox is a great coach. DWill with injuries didn't do much to take the job from Foster, but give it a few games this year, and barring more injuries (which are hard to predict) I bet he will. Coaches can't keep that much talent on the bench. If he proves to let learning the pass blocking be his biggest obstacle to getting on the field, I'd be very surprised.

 

[hooptd]

Seeing as how it's only the beginning of preseason and Williams hasn't even had a chance to show what he can do on the field, I think I'll wait to see who starts.

P.S. I really really hate Fox.

 

[Chreesto]

I agree with those who say, "Drafting DWill is due to what we KNOW about his talent versus Fosters. He's vastly superior to Foster. Veterans need to LOSE their job, not have it taken away. Fox is a great coach. DWill with injuries didn't do much to take the job from Foster, but give it a few games this year, and barring more injuries (which are hard to predict) I bet he will. Coaches can't keep that much talent on the bench. If he proves to let learning the pass blocking be his biggest obstacle to getting on the field, I'd be very surprised.

I love the idea that some geeks sitting on their computers who watch football when they can think they are better judges of talent than coaches who make their living in an extremely competitive field by judging the talent of professional football players. Coaches spend hours upon hours watching tape and scrutinizing the players during practice and games but without a doubt all of us message board guys are more qualified. Right?I'm sure a lot of people on this board like the "shiftyness" of Williams but that isn't all there is to a running back's success. Personally I think Foster is better than Williams because of his blocking ability and ability to run inside. I don't own Foster in any leagues but after watching how he looked with the new scheme on Saturday I wish that I had drafted him, he was available very late. Unless you are the RB coach in Carolina or John Fox I don't think you can KNOW anything that you claim to know.