Steelers Film Room: Underrated Steelers: Ramon Foster
By Nick Kelly
Part 1: Run Blocking
After a disappointing season from the running game, the Steelers look to revamp this aspect of their offense. While Ramon Foster isn’t a pro bowl run blocker, he still is very solid in that department. Ramon isn’t the fastest guard on the move, but his technique is very crisp and clean. Foster does a good job of latching his hands on the defender to control him. He turns his man, usually making a hole for the running back. Ramon Foster is a big, strong man, as he almost never looses his ground. Basically, you don’t move Ramon Foster. Ramon is fairly strong, but below I have broken down a play showcasing his ability to block on the move:
Coaches Film from NFL Game Rewind
On this play, Foster will be pulling to his left, trying to take out the outside linebacker, Tamba Hali, as Hali is left unblocked with Starks crashing down on the combo block with Willie Colon.
Coaches FIlm from NFL Game Rewind
Foster sets his eyes on Hali, as Hali begins to react to the Steelers offensive line.
Coaches FIlm from NFL Game Rewind
Ramon Foster now begins to break down and Hali looks to set the edge.
Coaches Film from NFL Game Rewind
Foster does a good job at getting his hands on “the steering wheel” which is Hali’s chest pad. Foster now looks to push Hali out while driving from his hips. Hali tries to set the edge and not let Foster push him out of the play.
Coaches FIlm from NFL Game Rewind
At this point, it comes down to who has the most strength. Foster wins this battle as he continues to push Hali towards the sideline, creating a huge hole for Redman to run through.
The impressive thing about this play is that Foster, at 350, showcased athleticism, taking out a guy who weighs 275. On top of this, Ramon looks to be even more athletic in 2013. According to Jim Wexell of SteelCityInsider.com, Foster has been training “rigorously” as well as halting his sugar and alcohol intake. Ramon Foster was also quoted saying:
"I am really fit, I changed a lot of stuff around. My body fat is a whole lot better. I’m running better. I’ve been stressing to become more athletic. I don’t want to be a weak link of any type on this offensive line. I’m an older guy who’s starting right now and I’ve got to be a leader on the field and off the field."
I don’t know about you, but hearing Foster say this sure makes me excited to see how much he can add-on to his already solid run blocking in 2013.