TAMPA, Fla. -- Mason Foster may only be in his second year with the Buccaneers but after starting 15 games last season, he knows he has to be a leader to the rookie linebackers.
"I'm letting them know you can only get better, just don't take a step back. A lot of these guys are really smart, they were working hard the whole off-season, so I just tell them just keep getting better. You're going to make mistakes, just make them full speed," said Foster.
Foster had a tough introduction to the NFL as a starting linebacker last season and the Bucs finished their season with a 4-12 record. He's hoping to prove this time around that he's the answer the Bucs are looking for at middle linebacker.
"I had a decent year, but I wanted to play a lot better than what I showed, so this year I worked hard in the off-season, worked with the older guys and tried to be in the coaches office as much as possible. I'm trying to be a smarter football player, bigger stronger, faster," said Foster.
Head Coach Greg Schiano said he was pleased with Foster's effort and he's getting better every day, but there is still a battle going on at the position.