BOL Round Table

The question on Foster and all of the Alabama LBs, really, is what will his playing weight be? DePreist looked too thick last year. You could tell he didn't have the speed and flexibility needed for an every-down LB. Nico looked about right, but not quite athletic enough.
If Foster keeps it in the 245-255 range, he'll be dynamic. If he gets much above 260, being only 6'1", he'll be too thick to have the flex needed.

Agree. One of the kids greatest assets is his body control/change of direction. Lots of physical/jumbo type athletes play defense but very few have the ability to 'mirror' a ball carriers movement, out in space, like RF does. A lot of LBs at RFs weight are often 'victims' of a juke when in space. RF generally plants the ball carrier. He has the athleticism of an offensive skill player, IMO.

I agree Narrion, his body type alone will dictate that he work in these areas. He will be a terror against the run teams plugging the middle. He is more a Ray Lewis, Dick Butkus, Willie Lanier, Jack Lambert style of linebacker. He is not a LT, DT type. He will excel against the run teams we play and struggle in space against the T-A&Ms, Old Miss., Auburn teams partly due to his aggressiveness and agility.

Weight will be a major factor for him and a key. I have no doubt CNS and Coach Cochran already have plans for Rueben. The power teams like LSU is where Rueben will really shine.

I think Allen is closer to Taylor than Foster!

Part of what makes Foster so great may very well hurt him at Bama. He is such a great downhill player, with great instincts, plays with a wreckless abandon, but that can get him out of position, cause him to lose gap integrity, he can be baited/tricked on plays, and he is such a downhill player he can lose discipline. No doubt he can be legendary at Bama, but his physical attributes aren't what will determine that, but his mental ability. Out defense runs off discipline, that's why in 4th quarter program during sprints the only way the players can catch a break, and catch a breath is to lean on each other, if they hit the ground or lean over they keep running, it teaches them to trust one another and to play for each other. As simple and cliché that may sound, I think that will really help Reuben.

Speaking of the Butkus award, he kind of reminds me of Dick Butkus. Downhill, hyperviolent and disruptive playwrecker.

He reminds me of Jerod Mayo. He has the size, instincts, striking ability, and side line to side line speed you cannot teach. I most certainly think he's a guy opposing offenses will have to game plan around once Foster becomes a starter. I don't think gap and back side discipline will be problem because of the instincts the kid has. He also doesn't appear to be very stiff in the hips like Nico that will prevent him from playing in space or in pass coverage. He's a legit Mike linebacker and Alabama's first elite linebacker recruit out of high school under Saban.

bottom line..

he'll play Mike or Will & must beat out Ragland,Duvall,Lee, & others before doing so.

can he ? yes
will he ? we'll see

but untill then he's just another talented player on a team full of talented players.

atleast this year i wont have to read a plethora of threads about which QB unseat's AJ.