A Q & A With Barry "Bananas" Foster

[slashsteel]

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.co...ry-foster-illustrates-how-bill-cowher-was-the

Why did they finally give you a shot at running back?

I think, from what I was told, when Cowher and Earhardt came in they were concerned about the position - it was thin then. Worley had been suspended, and the other guys showed some flashes but that was it. They just asked to take a look at me at running back. They were desperate more than anything I think. I had shown some glimpses before and they tried it. It was as much blind luck as anything.


Worley's misfortune was Barry's gain. Not a bad little read.........

 

[SteelerSask2]

Interesting to here a prespective that was there for the transition from Noll to Cowher. Every coachieve has a shell life and then their message loses some luster or the game evolves beyond them. Likely the main thing keeping Belichick relevant is Brady. That and the cheating.

 

[Coach]

Foster in his prime was an excellent back. A power runner who hit the hole quickly didn't go down easily and had enough speed to break long runs.

Unfortunately, he didn't have the heart to play hard after a few seasons in the NFL and some injuries. He retired after five seasons.

 

[POP]

This is weird. The way he speaks, it's as if he wasn't drafted to play running back. What the hell else position would he play?

Ironic that Noll called him the toughest player he ever coached, and he ended up quitting because he wasn't tough enough.

 

[SteelerSask2]

I think at that time the fullback was still a position of importance. And I still think that eventually if the players continue to get smaller and faster on defense someone will put a huge Oline and fullback and a big fast runner and will be very difficult to stop.