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ense.This Saturday afternoon, Foster will lead the defense one last time in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The opponent: Auburn.True to h
ense.This Saturday afternoon, Foster will lead the defense one last time in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The opponent: Auburn.True to h
in Fragen 05.03.2019 14:02von t123 • 2.563 Beiträge
It got so bad that Reuben Foster considered giving up football altogether. The war of words was that painful, the emotional swings that severe.At first, it was the hometown Georgia fans that wanted a piece of the star prep linebacker after he committed to Alabama. Then he moved to Auburn, Ala., and flipped his commitment to Auburn, suddenly giving Alabama fans reason to hurl insults his way. And, of course, there had to be one last turn of events, so he decommitted and showed up to school on national signing day in a Nick Saban-esque straw hat and faxed his letter of intent to Tuscaloosa.So, yes, Fosters was a recruitment full of drama. But for the teenager himself, it was exhausting. Back in 2013, while he was still living in Auburn and preparing to enroll at Alabama, he opened up about the way it affected him. He didnt trust anyone and refused to leave the house. He said that he wanted to act childish and cuss people out for the way they talked to him. He couldnt believe how one fan said he hoped hed tear his ACL. But more than anything, he felt the need to apologize to everyone and anyone he could.It was a business decision, he explained.In signing with Alabama, Foster did what he thought was best for him and his daughter. But at the same time, there was no ignoring the circus hed created. He had painted the picture himself. It was right there, tattooed on his forearm: a big stylized AU. When he originally committed to Auburn, he dressed his daughter in an orange and blue cheerleader outfit and held her up to say where he (thought) he would go to school. To go back on all of that was a matter of throwing gas on an already burning rivalry. Remember, this wasnt long after Toomers Oaks were poisoned and the Iron Bowl was about hate far more than friendly competition.Nearly four years later, Fosters contentious recruitment still bubbles beneath the surface. Hes a senior about to play in his last Iron Bowl this Saturday and weve finally arrived at the final chapter of his story.* * *Initially, Foster thought he may have made a mistake.He always knew going to Alabama wasnt going to be easy, but nothing prepared him for this. The depth chart at inside linebacker was stacked against him with the likes of Trey DePriest, C.J. Mosley and Reggie Ragland already in camp. Instead, he would have his patience tested on special teams.Coaches saw Foster as talented yet undisciplined. Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart said he relied too much on his instincts and kind of ran around and made plays. And while that was useful defending a kick return, it was a liability within the framework of the defense.Foster had been a star his whole life, but when he saw the field against Auburn as a freshman, he was essentially a bystander. He stood on the sideline when the famous Kick Six happened and Alabamas championship hopes were dashed.It took a toll on him not playing, he said, and he briefly considered transferring. Of the three teammates he planned on living with as a freshman -- Alvin Kamara, Dee Liner and Tyren Jones -- one left following the 2013 season and the others were gone a year later.I was a child as a freshman, Foster said. I didnt know any better.Fosters career would improve, but only incrementally. Although he was able to make his first career start as a sophomore in the season opener against West Virginia, he was quickly replaced when DePriest returned from a suspension. The hallmark moment of Fosters sophomore season came against LSU when he launched himself headlong into the chest of Leonard Fournette on a kickoff as time expired, sending the game into overtime and momentum into Alabamas favor for the eventual 20-13 win. Fournette would later call it the biggest hit Ive ever taken.But even then there was concern. The hit, while a spectacular piece of violence, lacked form. He exposed himself by leading with his helmet and for much of the early part of his career hed be plagued by injuries, including at least two concussions and several stingers.It was stressful at first, Foster said of dealing with the injuries and developing as a tackler, but I came along and had guys that patted me on the shoulder and told me it would be OK. I was down bad, but they brought me back up.As a junior last season, we finally saw the complete package from Foster. He won the starting job, appeared in every game and finished second on the team with 73 tackles. In a win against Auburn, he had a team-high six stops and in the playoff semifinal game he helped the defense pitch a shutout of Michigan State with four tackles and one pass breakup.In the lead-up to the national championship game against Clemson, Smart reflected on Fosters growth. The two had known one another since Foster was in the ninth grade and his decision to flip his commitment to Auburn hurt him. But when Foster reopened his recruitment, Smart was one of the first coaches through the door. Foster said that if Smart had gotten the Auburn job he was rumored to be in the running for, he would have signed with the Tigers.Reuben will always hold a special place in my heart, Smart said, with all hes been through as a child and done a great job developing. ... When you have a guy whos really talented and hes coachable, its kind of why we do this as coaches because you get to enjoy being around a kid whos grown up a lot.* * *Foster called out the defense, bent his knees slightly and eyed the USC backfield on first-and-10 early in the second quarter.Justin Davis took the handoff from Max Browne and veered to his left where a wide swath of empty green turf stretched out in front of him.But Foster shuffled, spun his hips and sprinted, running perpendicular with the length of the field. It was the perfect angle. Foster turned upfield, squared up Davis and threw a shoulder into his chest. It looked as if Foster had been shot out of a cannon, knocking Davis clear off his feet and throwing him back a few yards. All at once, AT&T Stadium groaned.It was only 3-0 at the time, but the message was sent loud and clear by Foster: Alabamas defense was on another level. The Tide would go on to win, 52-6.A couple of weeks later, Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly had the gall to not duck out of bounds with Foster chasing him. So Foster threw his shoulder in Kelly so hard it made the entire Ole Miss sideline flinch and caused fellow linebacker Ryan Andersons jaw to drop.I was scared for [Kelly], Anderson said. I dont know where he came from. I was running and it was like, Bop! Like what was that? I should have known it was 10.Anderson added: Hes 100 miles per hour on every play. He plays at one speed, and thats scary.Defensive end Dalvin Tomlinson said of Foster, I dont know if he knows how to hit anyone soft.It has been that way all season. Foster leads the team with 75 tackles and you can count on at least one stop per game that makes you raise your eyebrows.Pro Football Focus called Foster the most complete linebacker in the nation. On Monday, he was named one of five finalists for the Butkus Award.A few days earlier, he reinjured his wrist and had to leave the field during the first quarter against Chattanooga. He could have easily sat out the game against a cupcake FCS opponent, but trainers taped his hand up and he was back on the sideline in no time. During the first play back on the field, Foster split two offensive linemen and had a tackle for loss, club hand and all.Hes a warrior, said safety Ronnie Harrison. Hes battling through a lot of stuff right now and just continues to come in every day and works. He doesnt complain.Hes always talking to us. He brings the energy every day in practice. Hes like the biggest leader on our defense.This Saturday afternoon, Foster will lead the defense one last time in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The opponent: Auburn.True to his word, Foster never got rid of the AU tattoo on his forearm. And if you want to find them, there are still pictures floating around with his daughter in a blue and orange cheerleaders uniform from the second of his verbal commitments. But after this weekend, Fosters time as a player in the Iron Bowl will be over.His name wont leave the rivalrys history -- his story is too colorful for that to happen -- but this game will effectively serve as his parting shot.Four years ago, he apologized for the way he spurned Auburn. He was hurt and felt like an underdog going to Alabama, he said.But even back then, in the midst of a painful situation, he was embracing what the rivalry would mean.The Iron Bowl is going to be crazy, he said before he made the move from Auburn to Tuscaloosa. Any time I make a tackle or step on the field or even get near something its going to be, Boo! I tell myself if I hear that it wont do anything to me, Ill laugh. You boo me, Ill give you something to boo about. Wholesale NFL Jerseys Authentic . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. Cheap Authentic Jerseys . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. http://www.authenticnfljerseys.net/ . The third-ranked Ivanovic, who won the event in 2008 and 10, served five aces and broke Wickmayer, also a former winner in 2009, five times. "The result looked easier than it really was," Ivanovic said. China NFL Jerseys . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Cheap Jerseys Paypal . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. MANAUS, Brazil -- Known simply by her first name, Marta Vieira da Silva is one of the best women ever to play soccer.And with the Olympics in Brazil, people in her home country are finally getting familiar with her.While Brazils other No. 10 -- Neymar -- is struggling with the mens team, Marta is seeing success. And the locals are noticing.For her two goals in a 5-1 victory over Sweden, Marta was showered with cheers. And it wasnt just her goals, one of which came from the penalty spot. She also displayed stunning footwork that wowed spectators.Better than Neymar! the fans at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro chanted.She brings so much passion to the game. So much enthusiasm. And I think her teammates thrive off that passion, U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo said. We always have to game-plan for her.With the victory, Brazil assured itself of a spot in the quarterfinals. The United States and Canada also have already secured sports in the knockout round with one more day of group play on Tuesday. The Brazilians face South Africa at Amazonia Arena in Manaus, following a match between the United States and Colombia. The event is already a sellout.When Brazil arrived in Manaus on Sunday, a small crowd of about 100 was there to greet the team at the airport. Some chanted for Marta and a few young girls even wore her No. 10 jersey.Marta grew up playing street soccer with the boys in Dois Riachos, a town about 1,250 miles north of Rio de Janeiro. She was only 17 when she appeared at the 2003 World Cup in the United States.For the 2006 season, Marta won the first of an unprecedented five straight FIFA World Player of the Year awards.Dubbed Pele in skirts, Marta scored seven goals at the 2007 World Cup in China, but Brazil finished as runners-up in the tournament after falling to Germany 2-0 in the final.With Marta, the Brazilians have won the silver medal at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. Her duel with Solo in the final at the Beeijing Games was considered epic.dddddddddddd Carli Lloyd scored the game-winner in extra time for the Americans, but it was Solo that fended off a point-blank shot from Marta in the 72nd minute.One of their biggest showdowns came at the 2011 World Cup in Germany. Solo came out the victor on penalty kicks after a dramatic 2-2 draw. Marta had both goals for Brazil, including a controversial penalty kick, but Solo was able to stop Daiane in the shootout. The Americans would go on to the final.With Marta you have to have a little extra attention to her, even though our team defense is really good and really organized. Thats a compliment to her, Solo said Monday. I have played for coaches in the past who thought we could just play our style of soccer against Marta, and weve been punished for it. So Im very aware that we have to pay extra attention to her.Marta has scored 104 goals in 105 international appearances. She has the most World Cup goals with 15. She has 10 Olympic goals, tying her for third on the career list with Abby Wambach.But what Marta doesnt have in her storied career is a major international title.Given the struggles on the mens side, the Brazilians seem to be pinning their hopes on Marta and her teammates at the Olympics.Neymar was taunted by fans chanting Marta! in a 0-0 draw against Iraq on Sunday at Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia. Brazil also played to a scoreless draw with South Africa in the opener and next face Denmark on Wednesday.Mens coach Rogerio Micale said despite the teasing from the fans, the team was proud of its womens side and the other No. 10.For her part, Marta brushed off any comparison to her famous male counterpart. Her focus is elsewhere.This comparison we leave to the fans, Marta said. We all cheer for the mens team and we know that they cheer for us. ' ' '
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