Dolphins bring in QB Jayson Foster for a 'slash' receiver/runner role

[DolFan619]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-flspdol29sbapr29,0,6871391.story

Dolphins bring in QB Jayson Foster for a 'slash' receiver/runner role

By Harvey Fialkov
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

April 29, 2008

Twelve minutes after officially selecting Michigan tackle Jake Long as the overall No. 1 pick of the draft Saturday, Dolphins vice president of football operations Bill Parcells was on the phone to the agent of Georgia Southern quarterback Jayson Foster.

"We spoke for 10 minutes and then he called me twice in the seventh round," said agent Joel Turner, who expects the Dolphins to use his client as a receiver/returner. "When the clock struck zero after the seventh round he called with an offer. He told me he scouted Jayson [on tape] personally. That shows me how important he is to that organization, when Coach Parcells, who I believe is as good a football mind that's ever been, shows that much interest.

"Every team in the NFL screwed up not drafting this kid. Miami will find out just how fortunate they are when they get the ball in his hands. He's the best player in America, better with the ball than [fourth-overall pick] Darren McFadden."

Parcells was clearly gauging interest in the 5-foot-8, 175-pound Foster, hoping he'd still be around so he could use his seventh-round pick on Arizona defensive tackle Lionel Dotson.

Foster became one of eight college free agents picked up by the Dolphins following Sunday's draft. After drafting three offensive linemen, the Dolphins continued to stockpile tackles by adding Portland State's Daren Heerspink, Boise State's Dan Gore and Delaware's Mike Byrne, who guarded the blind side of newly drafted (18th pick) Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.

After not taking any receivers with their nine draft picks, Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland agreed to terms with 5-9 receiver Davone Bess of Hawaii, a Wes Welker clone who had 108 catches for 1,266 yards with 12 touchdowns this season.

"He's a slot receiver with hands of glue," said Kenny Zuckerman, Bess' agent.

The Dolphins also added Maine tight end Matt Mulligan, Montana kicker Dan Carpenter and Brigham Young linebacker Kelly Poppinga (younger brother of Packers linebacker, Brady), who had 113 tackles in 2007.

"I think the Dolphins are lucky to get someone like Kelly," Dolphins quarterback John Beck said on BYU's Web site. "I know they will be very happy with his character, work ethic, and the fact that he comes from a winning tradition at BYU."

Foster, the recipient of the Walter Payton Award for being the top player in the Football Championship Subdivision with 1,844 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, has been compared to the Redskins' versatile Antwaan Randle El.

Foster ran a 4.4-40 on grass at his Pro Day. As a receiver in 2006 he had 33 catches for 368 yards with three touchdowns. In 2005, he gained 1,481 yards with 21 touchdowns at 6.2 yards a clip.

"Some times you can slide through the radar," Foster said of the draft snub.

Foster and Bess have been told they will compete for kick return roles, an indication the Dolphins are intent on lessening the workload of second-year receiver Ted Ginn Jr.

[fyo]

Is this the reason we traded Lorenzo Booker?

[hordman]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-flspdol29sbapr29,0,6871391.story

Dolphins bring in QB Jayson Foster for a 'slash' receiver/runner role

here's a link from youtube with some of his highlites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOfVreEXJM4

like to see him on the field with the speed he has, though he is small, he seems like he can fly.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

After looking at that video I'd have to say his size is what caused him not to get drafted.  This kid can really turn on the after burners.  However, 5-7 and 175 lbs is nowhere near NFL caliber size.

[fyo]

5'7"? Wow, that's not much for an NFL player, regardless of position.

ESPN have him listed as 5'9", the same height as Wes Welker, by the way, and only an inch shorter than Lorenzo Booker and actually an inch *taller* than Dante Hall.

Hmmm... OK, after getting over the initial shock, I tried looking up some running backs...

Darren Sproles is 5'6"!!!!
Dante Hall is 5'8".
Maurice Jones-Drew is 5'7".
Rock Cartwright 5'8".
Antonio Chatman is 5'8".
Andre Hall is 5'8" (RB for the Broncos).
Ellis Hobbs is 5'9".

OK, I'm not worried anymore. He's not going to be an every down back, clearly, but there are A LOT of fine players around the same height. He'll probably have to put on a bit of weight, but he could be just fine. (And since he's a FA, there's really no down-side).

[DZA]

Every Team is looking for a Devin Hester

[bsfins]

Let's remember some of the best backs to play in this league were Short in stature...
Barry Sanders 5'8" (sometimes listed at 5'9")
Emmit smith 5'9" (sometimes listed at 5'10" though)
 ok both around the 200# mark though...

[StL FinFan]

These guys are still young.  They can pack on some muscle.

[simeon]

Didn't Miami try this with Marcus Vick a few years ago ?
Honestly he looks like he has some flash, I liked the way he covered up the ball when being hit. I don't think he can burn guys like that in the NFL, but I wish him good luck.

[KC]

This kid is very talented and while you could say he's too short and small I think at the very least he can do well running back kicks where size really isn't much of a disadvantage and speed and quickness is central.  I think he's got a real good shot at making the team.