Despite leading the NFL in rushing and establishing a name for himself, Texans running back Arian Foster believes he will still have doubters next season.
"They'll find a way 'Oh, he's just a one-season wonder,' " Foster said. "And that's what you've got to love about people they sit in their comfortable little chair and judge. But that's OK just keep blowing on the fire; they ain't putting it out."
Even with all that he accomplished in his first full season, Foster said he actually underachieved he was hoping for even more impressive numbers from the start.
"I set out goals at the beginning of the season," said Foster, who finished with 1,616 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. "But I wanted 1,700 yards and 15 touchdowns."
While he achieved his touchdown goal by having 16 rushing scores and two receiving, he was disappointed in the remarkable yardage total. After leading the league in five offensive categories, Foster said he'll set similar goals for next season.
Foster's season-finale performance of 180 rushing yards on 31 carries Sunday gave him a league record for rushing yards in a season by an undrafted player. If there's anyone who has dealt with doubters, it's Foster.
"I set my goals high and even told some people in my close circle, and they were like, 'Um, OK,' " Foster said. "But they weren't with me at 5:30 in the morning. I'm not just blowing smoke I work hard for what I do."
As Foster cleaned out his locker on Monday morning, he called the monumental season "bittersweet" because of his team's losing record. But as he had done after nearly every game this season, he gave the credit of winning the rushing title to the offensive line and fullback Vonta Leach, who cleared paths for him and will join him Jan.30 at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii.
"It's obvious that it was a collective effort," Foster said. "I get all the attention for it, but I'm just happy that the guys really rallied behind me, because this is as much their accomplishment as it is mine."
