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Mason Foster | Linebacker

Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age / DOB:  (24) / 3/1/1989
Ht / Wt:  6'1' / 241
College: Washington
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Beat writer Roy Cummings has a gut feeling that the Bucs are thinking of moving MLB Mason Foster to the strong side.
The potentially career-ending neck injury to Quincy Black has left a gaping hole in the Bucs' front seven. Cummings suggests bringing in a new middle linebacker via free agency or the draft, but that would be a risk. Foster made 106 tackles last season while leading the league's No. 1 run defense. Feb 14 - 12:33 PM
Source: Tampa Tribune

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Date:
Mason Foster - LB - Buccaneers

Bucs MLB Mason Foster has a team-high seven tackles for loss through four games after recording just four in 16 games as a rookie.

Through four games, the Bucs as a team have roughly half as many tackles for loss as they did a year ago when the run defense cratered down the stretch. Foster is once again the team leader in tackles with 36 while the Bucs have gone from 32nd in run defense to top-five in the NFL.
Source: Pewter Report
Fri, Oct 12, 2012 02:37:00 PM
Mason Foster - LB - Buccaneers

Bucs MLB Mason Foster (hamstring) has resumed practicing and looks to be on track to play in the season opener.

The injury should be a non-issue going forward. Foster, a third-round pick in the 2011 draft, recorded 84 tackles and two sacks as a 15-game rookie starter. We'd like him better in 2012 IDP leagues if he became an every-down player.
Source: Stephen Holder on Twitter
Sun, Sep 2, 2012 01:15:00 PM
Mason Foster - LB - Buccaneers

Bucs MLB Mason Foster's (hamstring) status is in question for the season opener.

"Hopefully, it can become a non-issue sometime in the near future," said coach Greg Schiano. "Will he play opening day? I'm not sure — I hope so." If Foster sits out, undersized special teamer Adam Hayward will draw the start versus the Panthers.
Related: Adam Hayward
Source: Sporting News
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 08:03:00 PM
Mason Foster - LB - Buccaneers

Bucs 2011 third-round pick Mason Foster has worked as the team's starting middle linebacker throughout OTAs.

Quincy Black has been the SAM 'backer, with rookie Lavonte David on the weak side. Coach Greg Schiano is noncommittal on the Week 1 lineup, but this seems like the safest bet thus far. We like David's chances of getting the most tackles.
Source: buccaneers.com
Fri, Jun 8, 2012 02:06:00 PM
Mason Foster - LB - Buccaneers

The Pewter Report expects the Bucs to move forward with Mason Foster at middle linebacker.

Curtis Lofton's Saturday signing with the Saints took away the Bucs' last realistic free agent alternative. Foster was overmatched as a rookie starter last season, getting destroyed against the run while struggling both in coverage and as a pass rusher. The job may now be his to lose, but he should still face camp competition in the form of a draft pick or low-level free agent.
Source: Pewter Report
Sun, Mar 25, 2012 12:31:00 PM
Mason Foster - LB - Buccaneers

New Bucs defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan says he "loved" MLB Mason Foster coming out of college last year, but conceded Foster struggled on film in 2011.

The Bucs are considering moving Foster to outside linebacker. "I loved Mason coming out," said Sheridan. "When I was in Miami, I gave him a very high draft grade. I pushed for him in the Dolphins draft. I just thought he made a ton of tackles at Washington. I can’t speak to exactly how he looked last year. I know on the cut-ups we’ve been watching, not too good."
Source: St. Petersburg Times
Wed, Feb 29, 2012 02:02:00 PM
Mason Foster - LB - Buccaneers

Speaking at his introductory press conference Tuesday, new Bucs DC Bill Sheridan didn't commit to Mason Foster as his starting middle linebacker.

Sheridan hinted that Foster could be shifted outside. Foster struggled mightily as a rookie starter last season, particularly against the run. With the Bucs low on in-house alternatives, a veteran free agent could be brought in to compete with Foster.
Source: Stephen Holder on Twitter
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 11:43:00 AM
Mason Foster - LB - Buccaneers

Coach Raheem Morris is concerned about MLB Mason Foster's (ankle) status for Sunday against the Saints.

The severity of Foster's injury isn't known. He was able to at least practice on a limited basis Thursday. SLB Quincy Black (ankle) is banged up as well. This is shaping up as a nice matchup for the Saints' running-back trio.
Source: Stephen Holder on Twitter
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 02:30:00 PM
Mason Foster - LB - Buccaneers

Coach Raheem Morris confirmed that MLB Mason Foster will remain a three-down linebacker even when SLB Quincy Black (ankle) returns.

Foster has seized control of the Bucs' defense, compiling 15 tackles and two sacks over the last two weeks. He'll stick as the middle linebacker on nickel downs. Black had previously been playing the middle in passing situations. He'll remain the starter at strong-side linebacker for the rest of the season.
Related: Quincy Black
Source: Rick Stroud on Twitter
Mon, Sep 26, 2011 12:29:00 PM
Mason Foster - LB - Buccaneers

Coach Raheem Morris confirmed that LB Mason Foster will be a three-down player against the Falcons this week.

"He'll play all situations this week," Morris said. "He'll get a chance to be in nickel and he'll be in base." Foster will also wear the helmet transmitter as defensive play-caller if Quincy Black (ankle) can't suit up. He should be an IDP stud again in Week 3.
Source: Tampa Tribune
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 01:39:00 PM
Mason Foster - LB - Buccaneers

Bucs rookie LB Mason Foster recorded 10 tackles, a sack, a quarterback hit, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble in Sunday's win over the Vikings.

Foster's snaps were somewhat limited in the season opener, but he became a three-down monster once Quincy Black (ankle) went down in Week 2. There's plenty of IDP upside here as Foster's role figures to grow rapidly off last week's performance. Black's status for Sunday's game against the Falcons is unknown.
Source: Tampa Tribune
Tue, Sep 20, 2011 12:52:00 PM
Mason Foster - LB - Buccaneers

The Bucs plan to ease in rookie Mason Foster as a two-down middle linebacker, playing only in base defensive packages.

Sam 'backer Quincy Black is the Mike in nickel packages. Foster is being eased in similar to how Curtis Lofton was in Atlanta. Foster is athletic enough to be an asset in coverage, but he'll be a mediocre IDP option until he earns the every-down job. We still suspect it will happen sooner rather than later.
Related: Quincy Black
Source: Stephen Holder on Twitter
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 01:20:00 PM
Mason Foster - LB - Buccaneers

Rookie Mason Foster was listed as the Bucs' starting middle linebacker on their preliminary preseason depth chart.

Pre-preseason depth charts are usually not set in stone, but Foster is locked in as Tampa Bay's starting Mike linebacker. The Bucs will likely start three rookies in the front seven -- Foster, LE Da'Quan Bowers, and RE Adrian Clayborn. It's good news for Foster's IDP value and bad news for Tampa's run defense.
Source: St. Petersburg Times
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 05:20:00 PM
Mason Foster - LB - Buccaneers

Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times confirms that third-round pick Mason Foster is expected to be the Bucs' starting middle linebacker.

The Bucs are putting their eggs in Foster's basket as Barrett Ruud was allowed to talk to the Titans in free agency. Foster showed he was capable at the college lever, posting 163 tackles for Washington last season. He's an IDP sleeper.
Source: Rick Stroud on Twitter
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 11:06:00 AM