Danno

New Orleans Saints rookie Glenn Foster confident after outing vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Katherine Terrell, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune By Katherine Terrell, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune The Times-Picayune

New Orleans Saints rookie defensive end Glenn Foster has every reason to have a chip on his shoulder. He didn't get an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine, but he dutifully notes his broad jump (10 feet, 9 inches) and vertical jump (39.5 inches) outperformed all of his peers who were in attendance.

Foster wasn't drafted, though was projected as a mid- to late-round pick.

But he knows he can play.

The 6-foot-4, 285-pound defensive lineman out of Illinois doesn't really care now how he got to the New Orleans Saints. After all, running back Pierre Thomas was another undrafted member of the Fighting Illini, he pointed out.

With first roster cuts a little more than two weeks away, Foster was brimming with confidence during one of his first media interviews of the summer Sunday night.

And why not?

New Orleans Saints' undrafted rookie Glenn Foster from Illinois had standout performance in first preseason game

He made a point to showcase his ability in the Saints' first preseason game last Friday against the Kansas City Chiefs, with three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

Foster got in during the opening drive and played the rest of the way. He logged 40 snaps on defense and three on special teams, more than any defender.

In the third quarter, Foster beat the guard and sacked Chiefs third-string quarterback Tyler Bray, forcing a fumble that teammate Jay Richardson recovered.

"We had a two-down lineman front and I was working the three technique, where I work half a man and work the edge, the guard," Foster said. "I believe I did a little swipe/swim move on a guy, and I made the corner and the quarterback was right there.


"I didn't really intend to strip the ball, but I just came aggressively and caused a fumble."

Foster got his chances early because of injuries at the position. Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson said he was pleased with the performance.

"He made three or four plays I thought were pretty good," Johnson said. "We only went with seven guys (defensive linemen) for the game ... and (Akiem) Hicks dislocated his finger.


"And I thought he did well against their No. 1 pick (right tackle Eric Fisher)."

Foster may have had a bit of nerves going into his debut Friday night, but the butterflies disappeared as soon he got on the field.

"When I got on the field, everything just faded away and I was just focused on dominating the guy in front of me," he said. "Everything slowed down, and I was able to focus on my technique and fundamentals and my assignment."

Foster said once he held his own against Fisher, the top overall pick in April, he figured he'd be OK.

"Being able to hold myself up against him, I was like 'I'm definitely made for this. I'm definitely able to play with the starters,'" Foster said. "That gave me the confidence. After two drives, I came in with the twos and played the whole game from there."

And of course, the sack didn't hurt his confidence, either.

"It was an awesome feeling," he said. "I had intentions of proving to the team ... to the rest of the league, that I'm here to play."

There's still a long way to go in the preseason, and Johnson isn't ready to talk cuts and roster spots just yet.

"I would say he just needs to keep doing what he's doing, you know," Johnson said. "And one asset he has is he's very teachable. He can learn very well. ...

"I think just watching the tape, it's evident that he's making a good push to make this team."

Foster figured that out pretty quickly when he came in and Johnson immediately went to work correcting his stance. The veterans on the team, including the injured Kenyon Coleman, also helped with technique.

"Kenyon is a great vet. He's a dominant vet. I learned a lot from him," Foster said. "He was one of those vets ... who saw my traits and weaknesses and tried to help me work on my craft. He's an awesome guy."

Foster said he knows he has a lot to learn but figures he's only getting better. And with Coleman likely out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle, Foster knows he has a great opportunity.

"I have a great shot at making the team," Foster said. "The only way I don't make the squad is if I mess up or if I descend on my production."

Added Johnson: "His curve, his advancement has been rapid. I think ... just getting in a good football position has helped him be a better player, because he has natural ability."

Katherine Terrell can be reached at KTerrell@nola.com or 504.826.3405.

New Orleans Saints rookie Glenn Foster confident after outing vs. Kansas City Chiefs | NOLA.com

Mr.Riaton

Well, I'm sold on him

The Dude

sweet. Hopefully he keeps it up.

Utah_Saint

Between Jordan, Bunkley, Hicks, Johnson, Walker and Foster, it looks like the Dline might go from a major weakness last season to a strength this season.

saintsfan1976

Speaking of D Line, don't leave out Will Smith.

Danno

From what I gather...
He wasn't invited to the combine perhaps because he played DT at Illinois and wasn't considered an NFL DT prospect.

At his pro workout he put up impressive measurables that were as good or better than most of his peers at the combine.

Here's a note from Rang noting this guy should have been looked at all along as a DE, NOT a DT....

halloween 65

I hope we found a gem at DE.

|Mitch|

Definately! Could rotate with Hicks/Jordan without much production drop-off

ClintSaints

I hope he makes the roster. He deserves it.

saintfan

<DuckingBecauseThisWillMakeDannoAngry>

The draft is a crap shoot I'm tellin' ya!

<\DuckingBecauseThisWillMakeDannoAngry>