Against SF, while most of the team was wetting the bed, Foster had two amazing 3rd/4th and short conversions where he was dead to rights behind the LOS and picked up 1st downs (one by running through Patrick Willis I believe). He runs low and that is a big part of it (one of the many things Tate does not understand). Now, somewhere along the line Kubiak removed him from the passing game and I cannot fighure it out to this day, but before that he was the most complete and multi-talented RB in the league.
There are a handful of great goalline runners, a handful of great receiving/pass blocking backs, and a handful of true break away/long TD threats at RB. Those are the unique talents at RB that you cannot get from the guy off the street who does 95% of the same work on 1st and 2nd down between the 20s. I am not sure anyone has combined those elements better than Foster in the last 20 years. Tomlinson is probably the only other similar guy.
I am not sure that Foster is still around today due to overuse and health, but I hope he doesn't carry the ball again this year and is fresher than he's been in years next year so we can find out. I would start his offseason today and not delay on any rehab/surgical option. And then next year is essentially a contract year for him since he is cut with little pain after 2014.
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