|
The Chicago Bears agreed to terms Tuesday with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Mason Foster on a one-year deal, according to his agent, Steve Carric.  A Bears' target from the start of free agency, Foster came into the period somewhat under the radar after missing six games in 2014 due to injury. The sides expressed mutual interest early in the free-agent signing period, with Foster believing Chicago's system, led by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, would be the best fit for his talents. Chicago's current roster at inside linebacker features players such as Jonathan Bostic, Khaseem Greene, Christian Jones and DeDe Lattimore, which gives Foster a strong chance to immediately come in as a starter in the middle. Foster separated a shoulder early in the season, but returned to the lineup after missing three of the first six contests. He missed three of the last four games of the 2014 season with a strained Achilles, but is fully healthy now, according to a source close to the linebacker. The 26-year-old played in three different schemes in four years in Tampa. The only year Foster actually played a second season in the same defense was 2013. So Foster has displayed an ability to quickly absorb new schemes. Interestingly, 2013 was also Foster's best season (92 tackles, three interceptions with two returned for touchdowns, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble). Foster was a third-round draft pick by the Buccaneers in 2011 out of Washington, where he played for current Bears defensive backs coach Ed Donatell, who served as the school's defensive coordinator. As a sophomore at Washington, Foster was named the team's Most Valuable Player on defense. He became an immediate starter in the NFL. Foster put together three solid seasons before running into injury trouble last year. In addition to Foster missing time due to injury, the coaching staff didn't believe he was an ideal fit in the Tampa 2 scheme. The coaches thought Foster lacked the speed to play pass coverage in the scheme, which requires range at the middle linebacker position, which is part of why he became expendable. In four seasons in Tampa Bay, Foster produced 343 tackles, six sacks and five interceptions. Foster was considered a three-down starting linebacker prior to Lovie Smith's installation of his Tampa 2 scheme. Perhaps Foster's history with the Saints played a role in general manager Ryan Pace's interest in the linebacker. In 2011, the Saints brought in Foster as one of the team's pre-draft visits, and a source said New Orleans came close to drafting him. Over the past four seasons against the Saints, Foster started six contests, racking up 34 tackles, three pass breakups and a pair of quarterback hurries in addition to returning a fourth-quarter interception 85 yards against New Orleans for a touchdown. ESPN.com Buccaneers reporter Pat Yasinskas contributed to this report
|
