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Guard Ramon Foster has earned Steelers respect

Ramon Foster may have been an undrafted free agent when he came to Pittsburgh, but he's worked his way into the starting lineup and has earned the respect of his comrades on the offensive line, including 3-time Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey.

By Christopher Carter
Karl Walter

Pittsburgh Steelers guard Ramon Foster has battled through several years on the Steelers makeshift offensive line that has suffered from injury after injury since he has been on the team. Foster wasn't a touted early draft pick (or a draft pick at all for that matter) and has still found a way every season with the team to endure and find his way onto the field during the season.

Foster has proven to be a durable lineman while gaining experience and developing into the veteran he is today, consistently replacing players listed higher than him on the depth chart year after year; including Willie Colon, Chris Kemoeatu, David DeCastro and Doug Legursky. While biding his time, he has not only earned the respect of the coaching staff, but also his teammates.

Pro Bowl center, Maurkice Pouncey, called Foster a "celebrity" when describing his standing with the team as a reference to the journey Foster has had with the team. Pouncey has been a starter for the team the past three seasons and has seen Foster rise during his time in Pittsburgh. He thinks that Foster is most deserved of the opportunity to start that he has been awarded this season.

Pouncey isn't alone, fellow former Florida Gator, Marcus Gilbert, also acknowledges Foster's trials and tribulations as he rose to the top of the Steelers' guard depth chart. Gilbert remembers the days when the Steelers didn't have much faith in Foster, and watching him continue to prove himself as a serviceable player.

Even though Foster is the oldest member of the new starting offensive line unit in Pittsburgh, he still notes that he has a chip on his shoulder; and says that will never change. Finding and keeping Foster has worked out for the Steelers so that they haven't had to spend another early draft pick to make the offensive line they want to develop into one of the NFL's most elite groups.

Moving forward, Foster's experience should benefit the offense as the line continues to develop.

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