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Excerpts from radio interview: http://c.espnradio.com/s:5L8r1/audi...zones=Preroll,Midroll,Postroll|station_id=632
On the new rule penalizing ball carriers for using the crown of their helmets to initiate contact with defenders in the open field:
They implement new rules every single year. I like the game the way it was. I understand theyre trying to make a statement, but this is one of those things where theyre trying to put their stamp on this league. Like I said, I liked the way it was, but you cant really argue with the people that want to change the rules.
On the challenge of having to change running styles so suddenly:
That play doesnt come into play a lot with my running style, but you have guys like Adrian Peterson, guys that really are hard runners and try to create that contact. This is gonna affect them more than it will myself. But I find myself sometimes lowering my head and lowering my shoulders. Its just, youre not gonna think about the rule changes. Weve been running like this since we were kids. They want us to change that mentality in one offseason, its gonna be tough. I was never a fan of all the defensive rule changes also where you cant lead with your helmet or the facemask because guys have been tackling like this for years. I was never a fan of that, and Im definitely not a fan of this.
On how long he thinks itll take for running backs to adapt to this rule:
I would have to think a couple years. Because like I said, running styles, especially as a running back, its more instinctive than it is strategic. And weve been doing it for so long that you have to train your body to run a certain way. So after a while it just becomes second-nature. So a lot of these guys are gonna have to snap out of their second-nature reactions and think before they run into guys. Im not a fan of this.
On his belief that stubbornly refusing to change your running style would be selfish:
I think if you say, Im gonna do what I gotta do, I think youre being selfish and I think youre gonna hurt your team like that, because you could have a 20-yard run and you get a 15-yard penalty because you led with the crown of your head and that brings your team back. And I think thats how my coaching staff and my organizations gonna approach it. Were professionals and these are the rules and the guidelines we have to play under. We all signed up for this thing together and they implement new rules and rule changes all the time. This is the way we have to do it. Its just part of the game. Rule changes are part of the game. So Im not one to take a stance on anything if its gonna hurt my team. So if its all for the betterment of my team Im gonna do it, but if you ask me my personal opinion about it, I think its weak.
On if hed be willing to sign a waiver now saying he wouldnt sue the league in regard to his health in retirement:
Personally, absolutely, because I knew what I was getting into when I first had the dream of playing in the NFL. I knew what I was getting into. The games a violent sport. Anything can happen. People get paralyzed; people get hurt broken legs, broken everything. Its just part of the game, and I knew what I was getting into. So to me, its kind of like blaming the NFL for your injuries, and I dont blame the NFL because it was my decision to partake in this game. So I would never sue. I dont have ill feelings toward those that have sued or whatever. Thats their business. Its just the way I see it. I just wouldnt.
On the new rule penalizing ball carriers for using the crown of their helmets to initiate contact with defenders in the open field:
They implement new rules every single year. I like the game the way it was. I understand theyre trying to make a statement, but this is one of those things where theyre trying to put their stamp on this league. Like I said, I liked the way it was, but you cant really argue with the people that want to change the rules.
On the challenge of having to change running styles so suddenly:
That play doesnt come into play a lot with my running style, but you have guys like Adrian Peterson, guys that really are hard runners and try to create that contact. This is gonna affect them more than it will myself. But I find myself sometimes lowering my head and lowering my shoulders. Its just, youre not gonna think about the rule changes. Weve been running like this since we were kids. They want us to change that mentality in one offseason, its gonna be tough. I was never a fan of all the defensive rule changes also where you cant lead with your helmet or the facemask because guys have been tackling like this for years. I was never a fan of that, and Im definitely not a fan of this.
On how long he thinks itll take for running backs to adapt to this rule:
I would have to think a couple years. Because like I said, running styles, especially as a running back, its more instinctive than it is strategic. And weve been doing it for so long that you have to train your body to run a certain way. So after a while it just becomes second-nature. So a lot of these guys are gonna have to snap out of their second-nature reactions and think before they run into guys. Im not a fan of this.
On his belief that stubbornly refusing to change your running style would be selfish:
I think if you say, Im gonna do what I gotta do, I think youre being selfish and I think youre gonna hurt your team like that, because you could have a 20-yard run and you get a 15-yard penalty because you led with the crown of your head and that brings your team back. And I think thats how my coaching staff and my organizations gonna approach it. Were professionals and these are the rules and the guidelines we have to play under. We all signed up for this thing together and they implement new rules and rule changes all the time. This is the way we have to do it. Its just part of the game. Rule changes are part of the game. So Im not one to take a stance on anything if its gonna hurt my team. So if its all for the betterment of my team Im gonna do it, but if you ask me my personal opinion about it, I think its weak.
On if hed be willing to sign a waiver now saying he wouldnt sue the league in regard to his health in retirement:
Personally, absolutely, because I knew what I was getting into when I first had the dream of playing in the NFL. I knew what I was getting into. The games a violent sport. Anything can happen. People get paralyzed; people get hurt broken legs, broken everything. Its just part of the game, and I knew what I was getting into. So to me, its kind of like blaming the NFL for your injuries, and I dont blame the NFL because it was my decision to partake in this game. So I would never sue. I dont have ill feelings toward those that have sued or whatever. Thats their business. Its just the way I see it. I just wouldnt.
Question Ensign, will you change your name when you get promoted to JG? I'm with you. Foster is a class act.
