Barnwell's at it again, profiling Arian this afternoon. http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/18814/free-agent-hype-chronicles-arian-foster While I'll be disappointed if the Texans lose Mario, I'll be devastated if they lose Arian. Watching him become a legend in another uniform would just kill me. He's that special.
Here's where I do totally buy into the hype. He's got the best odds to join Johnson in the HOF one day. Only two downsides, shared by all RBs: -The impact of RBs on wins has definitely been reduced in a huge way since the 90s ended. -The shelf life of RBs is incredibly unpredictable. I'm still stunned that Terrell Davis could be so brilliant but gone so quick that he can't sniff a Halll invite. Upside for Foster is that he has excelled despite not being a smashback. He doesn't take the same kind of pounding that most high-usage backs do.
the teams that still consider RBs to be an important part of the offense tend to be glorious. For our texans, you need the threat of the running game to carry out kubiak's book to perfection so he's worth every dollar to the Texans. As of today, the eagles made the first tag with jackson and hillis has been watching too many matt damon films. hoping the texans foster arian very soon.
IN FOSTER'S COMPANY Player Yds/Gm Rank Yds/Att Rank Arian Foster 97.9 10 4.69 14 LaDainian Tomlinson 96.1 13 4.57 18 Walter Payton 93.9 16 4.28 35 Marcus Allen 91.5 17 4.47 27 Barry Sanders 91.4 18 4.45 30 Maurice Jones-Drew 90.5 20 4.44 32 Curtis Martin 87.4 23 3.81 77 Adrian Peterson 86.5 27 4.49 25 Tony Dorsett 81.1 38 4.50 22 What Foster brings to the table is obvious. He already has legendary RB vision status, and excellent cutting ability - I am just surprised by how his stats the last two years has beaten the avg. stats of former greats/HOF RB's during their same age over two years . . .Considering he doesn't take hits or pounding, this kid can go very, very far - Can't wait till the season starts again! - & lock him up- He brings too much to the table!
I think the market for Foster isn't nearly as good as Mario. Mario has shown to be pro-bowl caliber as both a DE and a 3-4 OLB. Not to mention an UNRESTRICTED free agent. Foster's restricted and plays in a special system. Not saying he can't excel elsewhere, but you have to imagine that there's always a risk that he doesn't work nearly as well in a traditional running game. I want Foster back. But I don't want the Texans to give him a Johnson/Peterson type of a contract. Somewhat less guaranteed money, perhaps solid amount of incentives, and backloaded contract so that if the Texans falter after the Schaub era, they can bite the bullet and cut Foster for rebuilding.
Please sign Williams, Foster and Myers. I don't care if we don't sign a #2 WR, just please bring back our stars.
This, we have the resources (draft pciks) to throw at the WR position and we have the "dead money" (Jacoby, Demeco <-sorry, Walters) to cut or restructure to make it happen (hopefully)!
I always thought he ran like this gentlemen: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FLvRIjc3k94" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I'm just talking about in being the most complete back in football: rushing, receiving, TDs. Each of those guys I listed held the record for most TDs in a season. He reminds me a lot of Holmes in his short-lived prime in that he just made everything look easy. He got great blocking, and made excellent reads, which is what makes Arian truly special.
I think Myers is essential, followed by Foster... I'd like to see Mario walk. I know the guy is talented but he is not essential to the success of the defense as proven by the final 14 games of this past season. The Texans won't lose Foster because he'll be franchised or restricted if they don't get a deal done by Monday. I realize someone could sign him away if restricted, but the Texans would get a 1st round pick in return, which is a nice consolation prize.
