Changing the guard
With life after Pittsburgh looming, unsigned lineman Ramon Foster is ready to lead a final Super Bowl charge in front of Ben Roethlisberger
Ramon Foster is 32, the second-oldest Steelers player after Ben Roethlisberger.
He has been with the team since 2009. It’s no wonder he’s so familiar with the history of the franchise. He is reminded of it every day when he comes into work and walks by the six Lombardi trophies.
“You guys always bring up the defenses of the ‘70s, the Steel Curtain,” Foster was saying Wednesday. “You go back to the defense of ‘05, which was granite, and, after that, to the defenses of ‘08 and ‘09 that were insane. I want my group to be remembered that way. I want to be able to say this era of the offensive line, let’s go 2014 to 2018, marched their way into the Super Bowl with their quarterback.”
Foster knows he is running out of time.
His contract is up at the end of the season and he’s on the wrong side of 30. Younger, cheaper linemen such as B.J. Finney and Matt Feiler are standing by, ready to go full time.
“I see what’s happening here. I understand it. I respect it,” Foster said.
“Would it be awesome to be here next season? Yeah. The likelihood of it? Nah.
“I love this team. I know what I have here. I know they’re going to take care of me in practice. I know I’m playing with a really good group of guys. I love Maurkice [Pouncey] like a brother. But if someone is going to pay you on the other side [of 30] …
“I don’t want to make it a victory-lap thing. I just want to win a ring here.”
Foster discussed a contract extension with general manager Kevin Colbert during training camp, but the two couldn’t agree on terms.
The Steelers’ other four starting linemen have much more lucrative contracts than Foster’s expiring three-year, $9.6 million deal. Pouncey and Marcus Gilbert are signed through 2019, Al Villanueva through 2020 and David DeCastro through 2021.
“Kevin and I talked it over,” Foster said. “I told him, ‘Look, if you don’t give it to me now, I probably won’t be back. I’m OK with that. I’m going to give you my all because that’s just who I am. I’m going to kill it this season. You’re going to pay me or someone else will.’”
Foster is a man of his word.
Giving his all? No question. Killing it on the field? Absolutely.
Foster is having his best season. Pro Football Focus ranks him 16th out of 64 NFL guards. He has allowed just one sack, to Kansas City defensive end Allen Bailey on a bull rush. His holding penalty last Sunday against Cleveland — one he disputed — was his first penalty of the year.
“He’s always in great position to get the job done, and his technique is so good,” line coach Mike Munchak said Wednesday after practice. “That’s the thing with him. Very rarely does he get himself out of position. He very rarely makes a play that hurts us. He’s always doing something good.”
And Foster’s value goes beyond the field.
Pouncey is the unquestioned leader of the offensive line, but Munchak said even Pouncey looks to Foster for advice and guidance. Roethlisberger calls Foster “The Godfather,” with utmost respect. Foster is also the team’s player rep and deals with all union-related matters.
“His leadership is invaluable to the line, to the room, to the building,” Munchak said.
“When he speaks up, it’s usually something you want to listen to. That’s why guys tune him in. No one ever tunes him out because what he’s saying is right-on.”
Foster has a nice story to tell. He wasn’t drafted in 2009 after coming out of Tennessee, but — these are Munchak’s words — “found his way in a big way” after signing with the Steelers as a free agent.
He has been a starter since 2010 and has made 122 starts.
It’s been some ride getting here for Foster.
“No, I haven’t really thought about that, to be honest with you,” he said. “It’s about being in the moment. You don’t realize what you’ve done. That won’t register with me until after I’m done because I’m having so much fun while I’m doing it.”
Foster is lucky that he avoided a major injury to his right knee during the first practice in pads at training camp. He said he saw another player falling toward him and was able to pull his leg back just enough to avoid much of the collision.
“Two inches,” Foster said, the difference between a small tear that healed before the first real game and a complete blowout.
“That’s how close I was to being done. Two inches.
“I’ve had a thumb surgery and a toe surgery, but those were minor offseason stuff. That was the first real injury that I’ve had. I didn’t know how bad it was at the time. I was just thinking, ‘Not like this. It can’t end like this.’”
Foster has a better ending in mind. A perfect ending, actually:
The Steelers win the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta in February.
He looks to the ceiling of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, feels confetti on his face.
He knows he will get his ring and be remembered as a champion forever.
He signs an extension with the Steelers …
OK, so maybe that last part isn’t very realistic.
Foster will gladly settle for the rest.