ANDERSON, Ind. —
For much of his two-year NFL career, Eric Foster has been exactly the type of player championship teams cannot win without.
Yet the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder remains largely invisible to fans.
Local legend has it Foster wasn’t recognized during an early training camp visit to a local restaurant until a conversation with a worker there led him to identify himself. That, the story goes, is why the sign outside the building has displayed a message thanking him for the better part of two weeks.
If the story’s true, the restaurant staff shouldn’t feel alone.
Even the official scorer sometimes seems to have a hard time recognizing Foster’s presence.
Spitting time at defensive end and defensive tackle during Sunday’s preseason opener, he appeared to set up camp in San Francisco’s offensive backfield.
Foster was part of a defensive front that sacked 49ers quarterbacks Alex Smith, David Carr and Nate Davis three times and hurried them on countless other occasions.
But the final box score from the game credits the Rutgers product with just a single tackle.
No matter.
Foster simply keeps his eyes on the ultimate goal.
“We’re looking forward to getting more pressure,” he said. “I think the front guys are doing a great job. J.T.’s (defensive line coach John Teerlinck) working us pretty hard, and we’re coming together as a group.”
Teerlinck, in his ninth season with Indianapolis, is an NFL legend. He’s been in the league for 21 years, and he’s one of just 24 coaches ever to win at least one Super Bowl with two different franchises — having helped claim the Lombardi Trophy with both the Colts and the Denver Broncos.
Teerlinck was an All-American as a player at Western Illinois and played briefly with the San Diego Chargers before a knee injury cut short his career in 1975.
These days he can be seen driving around the practice fields at Anderson University in his golf cart, the evidence of his knee injury readily apparent by a lengthy scar.
He’s coached several Pro Bowlers, and he introduced John Randle during this month’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio.
Among Teerlinck’s goals this season is to get more pressure from the interior of the defensive line.
With Pro Bowl ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis commanding opposing offensive linemen’s attention, the Colts would like to get more production from the defensive tackles.
Foster rarely starts, but his blend of quickness and power make him a valuable reserve.
It also allows him to shift seamlessly between tackle and end, and perhaps spearhead the kind of pressure Teerlinck and the rest of the coaching staff covet.
“Eric has been a really versatile guy for us,” head coach Jim Caldwell said. “He’s been a little bit inside and outside as well. He’s been able to be effective in both areas.”
Foster’s versatility even extends to the other side of the ball.
He’s been used as a
fullback in goal-line and short-yardage situations, opening holes for the
running back and helping to keep blitzers off
quarterback Peyton Manning.
Like most of Foster’s myriad roles, it’s one he readily accepts.
“Wherever they need me, I’m there,” he said. “I’m available. I know my stuff. I’m just going to play hard, work hard and I’ll be able to produce.”
There’s little doubt Foster’s impact has been significant. In two seasons, he has 87 career tackles and 2 1/2 sacks.
But it’s hard to define his role in traditional terms.
“My heart is at D-tackle,” he said.
His future likely is there as well.
No matter where Foster lines up, Caldwell believes his best is yet to come.
“I really do believe he’ll continue to progress,” he said. “He’s not nearly where he’s going to be, but he’s certainly headed in the right direction.”
Local Sports
Related Photos
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Defensive tackle Eric Foster runs through pads held by teammates John Chick, left, and Jerry Hughes during the Colts last evening practice at Colts Camp Tuesday at Anderson University. Don Knight / The Herald Bulletin
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Defensive tackle Eric Foster acknowledges a teammate during the Colts last evening practice during Colts Camp Tuesday at Anderson University. Don Knight / The Herald Bulletin
Discussion
Invisible but integral
Versatile veteran Eric Foster valuable in variety of roles
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