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Top 10 NFL careers of Tennessee football O-Linemen

By Caleb Calhoun

Raleigh McKenzie #63, Guard and Center for the Washington Redskins during the American Football Conference West game against the San Diego Chargers on 21 September 1986 at the Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California, United States. The Redskins won the game 30 - 27. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty Images)
Raleigh McKenzie #63, Guard and Center for the Washington Redskins during the American Football Conference West game against the San Diego Chargers on 21 September 1986 at the Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California, United States. The Redskins won the game 30 - 27. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 2005-2008. Years in NFL: 11. Ramon Foster. 8. player. 839

Teams played for:

  • Pittsburgh Steelers, 2009-2019

Welcome to one of the top overachievers in Tennessee football history. Ramon Foster was one of two Fosters who was not selected in the 2009 NFL Draft but managed to have a great pro career anyway. The other such player was Arian Foster. Both were with the Vols from 2005 to 2008, and that last season under Phillip Fulmer and Dave Clawson’s offense killed their draft stock.

While Arian Foster signed with the Houston Texans, Ramon Foster signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had just won the Super Bowl. It was the perfect place for him, as Mike Tomlin gave him a fair opportunity, and given his 6’5″ 328-pound frame, he was bound to have a great chance to succeed at the next level. That chance came earlier than expected.

A slew of injuries allowed Foster to start four games as a rookie at left guard. He then alternated at left and right guard due to other injuries in 2010. By 2011, Foster became a fixture on the offensive line, and he remained there throughout the entire decade, becoming the most vocal leader of the unit and helping the franchise maintain a certain level of success.

After 11 years in the pros, Foster announced his retirement back in March. However, that didn’t come before he appeared in 160 games and started in 145 of them, becoming a beloved Steeler in the process. When Fulmer was fired, Foster was one of his most vocal defenders. Given how the former offensive lineman prepared him for the pros and how it worked out, we see why now.

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