Most of the long term criticism leveled at Foster has been about his situation and how it was so perfect and there was nobody there to challenge his job. Some of that eroded when he fought off a challenge to his workload from Ben Tate to start the season. This stretch to end the season with T.J. Yates or whatever journeyman QB they decide to start will either erode most of the rest of the argument or else provide extra fodder for critics if he struggles.If Foster does succeed, the last shred of defense left for the anti Foster folks will be the offensive line dominance. While I agree that it is good, most any running back to ever play the game has required at least SOME help in order to produce elite stats. Foster isn't an all time type player (like an Adrian Peterson), so naturally he will need some help in order to produce at top levels. This is true of any running back that isn't projecting to go down as one of the greatest to ever play the game. 2 years ago, Forte looked like a bum because the offense sucked and the offensive line was a train wreck. Just last year, Ray Rice looked somewhat pedestrian because his offensive line was struggling mightily. Heck, even this year Chris Johnson has been awful in part due to terrible offensive line play (and in part because he doesn't look like he cares, but that's another story). It happens all the time to great players- situations change. The key is that these players suffer a decline in stats as the situation erodes, but still perform well above average to keep them afloat until the situation improves and they can once again flourish. For instance, while Ray Rice's numbers regressed last season due to poor offensive line play and questionable play calling, he still ended the season with 1,776 total yards and 6 touchdowns. Not exactly top of the line production, but far from anything to sneeze at. If anyone is going to pin their argument to the fact that a player can't succeed without supporting talent around him in some capacity, then that isn't an argument at all because that is true for all but a very, very, very small handful of players playing the game, regardless of what decade we are talking about. Foster needing EITHER a good quarterback or a good offensive line to produce like one of the very best running backs in the game isn't an indictment on Foster, but rather a comment on the way the NFL is now with all the team speed on defense forcing offenses to need more than just 1 weapon to take pressure off players.On the flip side, if Foster begins to average 50-80 total yards with little to no scoring production to close out the season with Yates or whoever at quarterback, I think it will lend some merit to the argument that Foster was nothing more than a product of the system. I don't find it likely, but at least we will have some sort of answer to finally close this 2 year debate out either way. Lastly, if you are going to base an argument for struggling on someone who "only" had 89 total yards and a touchdown...well then I would say you don't have an argument at all and are simply grasping at straws. You may have wanted to wait for a game in which he didn't manage to put up respectable numbers despite having an unproven, low round rookie unexpectedly getting thrust into the QB spot for the 2nd half (a player that likely had little to no involvement in the game plan or even expected to go into the game until having to do so).
. I define Elite as guys like Marshall Faulk, Ladainian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson and potentially Trent Richardson (I can't wait.........) . Theres a difference between being a top 5 or 10 RB and being an elite one. I would say Foster is a borderline top 5 RB in the league right now , I would put him in the group with the guys I mentioned above.Would anyone honestly take Foster over Ray Rice or Lesean Mccoy right now(from a talent standpoint)? If so, explain what he does better than them.
Awesome post!!
