Eric Foster

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name =Eric Foster


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currentteam =Indianapolis Colts
currentnumber =68
currentposition =Defensive tackle
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birthdate =birth date and age|1985|04|05
birthplace =Homestead, Florida
heightft =6
heightin =2
weight =265
debutyear =2008
debutteam =Indianapolis Colts
college =Rutgers University
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undraftedyear =2008
pastteams=
* Indianapolis Colts (2008-present)
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nfl = FOS247808
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Eric Foster (born 1985-04-05 in Homestead, Florida) is an American football defensive tackle in the National Football League. Undrafted in the 2008 NFL Draft, Foster signed a free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts. He played college football for Rutgers University.

High school career

Foster was named All-Dade at linebacker by "The Miami Herald" following his senior year at Homestead High School.

College career

After redshirting in 2003, Foster made an immediate impact in 2004 as a backup defensive end, playing in all 11 games. Foster was injured during the second game of the 2005 season, only to return in 2006 as the team's starting defensive tackle, lining up to Ramel Meekins. Despite the unit's lack of size, Foster's six sacks helped Rutgers register forty-one sacks total in 2006, good for fifth in all of Division I-A [http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2006&div=4&rpt=IA_teamsacks&site=org] , as well as fourth in total defense [http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2006&div=4&rpt=IA_teamtotdef&site=org] .

Foster gained national notoriety in 2006 for his stellar play, as well as for a popular clip aired by ESPN of a [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4xWp7nK-DE locker room speech] . Snippets of the video were played at later home games. In addition, he makes a chopping motion with his arms and hands as a reference to his coach, Greg Schiano's motto, "Keep Choppin'."

For his efforts, Foster was named first team all-Big East Conference. The Football Writers Association of America named him as a first-team All-American at defensive tackle [cite web |url=http://www.scarletknights.com/football/news/release.asp?prID=4659 |title= Eric Foster Named First Team All-America:Junior named to the Football Writers Association of America All-America Team|accessdate=2008-07-16 |work=scarletknights.com |publisher= |date=2006-12-09 ] , as well as making Honorable Mention on the AP's team [cite web |url=http://www.scarletknights.com/football/news/release.asp?prID=4669 |title=Ray Rice, Eric Foster Collect AP All-America Honors:Rice Named to Second Team, Foster Garners Third Team Accolades |accessdate=2008-07-16 |work=scarletknights.com |publisher= |date=2006-12-12 ] . In 2007, he was named a preseason All-American by "Sports Illustrated".

Foster was named to several pre-season All-America teams for 2007 at DT. He was named to the preseason watch list for the Lott Trophy, annually awarded to the best defensive player in the nation.

Professional career

Eric Foster was signed as a free agent for the Indianapolis Colts on April 29, 2008.

External links

* [http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=bio&player_id=518 Indianapolis Colts bio]
* [http://www.scarletknights.com/football/roster/roster-detail.asp?ID=3465 Official Rutgers profile]
* [http://www.onnetworks.com/videos/draftguys-tv/profile---eric-foster---dl?autoplay=true Video profile of Eric Foster]

References