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It got so bad that Reuben Foster considered giving up football altogether. The war of words was that painful, the emotional swings that severe.At first, it was the hometown Georgia fans that wanted a piece of the star prep linebacker after he committed to Alabama. Then he moved to Auburn, Ala., and flipped his commitment to Auburn, suddenly giving Alabama fans reason to hurl insults his way. And, of course, there had to be one last turn of events, so he decommitted and showed up to school on national signing day in a Nick Saban-esque straw hat and faxed his letter of intent to Tuscaloosa.So, yes, Fosters was a recruitment full of drama. But for the teenager himself, it was exhausting. Back in 2013, while he was still living in Auburn and preparing to enroll at Alabama, he opened up about the way it affected him. He didnt trust anyone and refused to leave the house. He said that he wanted to act childish and cuss people out for the way they talked to him. He couldnt believe how one fan said he hoped hed tear his ACL. But more than anything, he felt the need to apologize to everyone and anyone he could.It was a business decision, he explained.In signing with Alabama, Foster did what he thought was best for him and his daughter. But at the same time, there was no ignoring the circus hed created. He had painted the picture himself. It was right there, tattooed on his forearm: a big stylized AU. When he originally committed to Auburn, he dressed his daughter in an orange and blue cheerleader outfit and held her up to say where he (thought) he would go to school. To go back on all of that was a matter of throwing gas on an already burning rivalry. Remember, this wasnt long after Toomers Oaks were poisoned and the Iron Bowl was about hate far more than friendly competition.Nearly four years later, Fosters contentious recruitment still bubbles beneath the surface. Hes a senior about to play in his last Iron Bowl this Saturday and weve finally arrived at the final chapter of his story.* * *Initially, Foster thought he may have made a mistake.He always knew going to Alabama wasnt going to be easy, but nothing prepared him for this. The depth chart at inside linebacker was stacked against him with the likes of Trey DePriest, C.J. Mosley and Reggie Ragland already in camp. Instead, he would have his patience tested on special teams.Coaches saw Foster as talented yet undisciplined. Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart said he relied too much on his instincts and kind of ran around and made plays. And while that was useful defending a kick return, it was a liability within the framework of the defense.Foster had been a star his whole life, but when he saw the field against Auburn as a freshman, he was essentially a bystander. He stood on the sideline when the famous Kick Six happened and Alabamas championship hopes were dashed.It took a toll on him not playing, he said, and he briefly considered transferring. Of the three teammates he planned on living with as a freshman -- Alvin Kamara, Dee Liner and Tyren Jones -- one left following the 2013 season and the others were gone a year later.I was a child as a freshman, Foster said. I didnt know any better.Fosters career would improve, but only incrementally. Although he was able to make his first career start as a sophomore in the season opener against West Virginia, he was quickly replaced when DePriest returned from a suspension. The hallmark moment of Fosters sophomore season came against LSU when he launched himself headlong into the chest of Leonard Fournette on a kickoff as time expired, sending the game into overtime and momentum into Alabamas favor for the eventual 20-13 win. Fournette would later call it the biggest hit Ive ever taken.But even then there was concern. The hit, while a spectacular piece of violence, lacked form. He exposed himself by leading with his helmet and for much of the early part of his career hed be plagued by injuries, including at least two concussions and several stingers.It was stressful at first, Foster said of dealing with the injuries and developing as a tackler, but I came along and had guys that patted me on the shoulder and told me it would be OK. I was down bad, but they brought me back up.As a junior last season, we finally saw the complete package from Foster. He won the starting job, appeared in every game and finished second on the team with 73 tackles. In a win against Auburn, he had a team-high six stops and in the playoff semifinal game he helped the defense pitch a shutout of Michigan State with four tackles and one pass breakup.In the lead-up to the national championship game against Clemson, Smart reflected on Fosters growth. The two had known one another since Foster was in the ninth grade and his decision to flip his commitment to Auburn hurt him. But when Foster reopened his recruitment, Smart was one of the first coaches through the door. Foster said that if Smart had gotten the Auburn job he was rumored to be in the running for, he would have signed with the Tigers.Reuben will always hold a special place in my heart, Smart said, with all hes been through as a child and done a great job developing. ... When you have a guy whos really talented and hes coachable, its kind of why we do this as coaches because you get to enjoy being around a kid whos grown up a lot.* * *Foster called out the defense, bent his knees slightly and eyed the USC backfield on first-and-10 early in the second quarter.Justin Davis took the handoff from Max Browne and veered to his left where a wide swath of empty green turf stretched out in front of him.But Foster shuffled, spun his hips and sprinted, running perpendicular with the length of the field. It was the perfect angle. Foster turned upfield, squared up Davis and threw a shoulder into his chest. It looked as if Foster had been shot out of a cannon, knocking Davis clear off his feet and throwing him back a few yards. All at once, AT&T Stadium groaned.It was only 3-0 at the time, but the message was sent loud and clear by Foster: Alabamas defense was on another level. The Tide would go on to win, 52-6.A couple of weeks later, Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly had the gall to not duck out of bounds with Foster chasing him. So Foster threw his shoulder in Kelly so hard it made the entire Ole Miss sideline flinch and caused fellow linebacker Ryan Andersons jaw to drop.I was scared for [Kelly], Anderson said. I dont know where he came from. I was running and it was like, Bop! Like what was that? I should have known it was 10.Anderson added: Hes 100 miles per hour on every play. He plays at one speed, and thats scary.Defensive end Dalvin Tomlinson said of Foster, I dont know if he knows how to hit anyone soft.It has been that way all season. Foster leads the team with 75 tackles and you can count on at least one stop per game that makes you raise your eyebrows.Pro Football Focus called Foster the most complete linebacker in the nation. On Monday, he was named one of five finalists for the Butkus Award.A few days earlier, he reinjured his wrist and had to leave the field during the first quarter against Chattanooga. He could have easily sat out the game against a cupcake FCS opponent, but trainers taped his hand up and he was back on the sideline in no time. During the first play back on the field, Foster split two offensive linemen and had a tackle for loss, club hand and all.Hes a warrior, said safety Ronnie Harrison. Hes battling through a lot of stuff right now and just continues to come in every day and works. He doesnt complain.Hes always talking to us. He brings the energy every day in practice. Hes like the biggest leader on our defense.This Saturday afternoon, Foster will lead the defense one last time in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The opponent: Auburn.True to his word, Foster never got rid of the AU tattoo on his forearm. And if you want to find them, there are still pictures floating around with his daughter in a blue and orange cheerleaders uniform from the second of his verbal commitments. But after this weekend, Fosters time as a player in the Iron Bowl will be over.His name wont leave the rivalrys history -- his story is too colorful for that to happen -- but this game will effectively serve as his parting shot.Four years ago, he apologized for the way he spurned Auburn. He was hurt and felt like an underdog going to Alabama, he said.But even back then, in the midst of a painful situation, he was embracing what the rivalry would mean.The Iron Bowl is going to be crazy, he said before he made the move from Auburn to Tuscaloosa. Any time I make a tackle or step on the field or even get near something its going to be, Boo! I tell myself if I hear that it wont do anything to me, Ill laugh. You boo me, Ill give you something to boo about.Kyrie Irving Shoes Outlet .ca. 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If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency.The nickname for the new Las Vegas franchise will be announced on Tuesday, so its as good a time as any to look at some of the decisions ahead for other teams as they strategize for Junes expansion draft.Teams can either protect 7-3-1 (seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie) or eight skaters and a goalie. Teams also must expose a minimum of four players (two forwards, one defenseman, one goalie) who meet the games-played and contractual requirement.I looked at four teams that will likely have to make decisions, both in terms of where things stand today as well as what might have to happen before the expansion draft. Keep in mind that there will be lots of moving parts between today and June. But lets have some fun with this now:Anaheim DucksMany rival executives point to the Ducks as having to make some interesting decisions before the expansion draft. Thats a compliment, in part because it means they have drafted and developed players so well that they just cant keep everyone.Four Ducks have full no-movement clauses who must be protected: Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa. The contract of the veteran Bieksas could be an issue. I think the Ducks are going to need to do something with him in order to protect all the defensemen they want for the expansion draft.If Anaheim protects eight skaters and a goalie, its protection list would look like this: Getzlaf, Perry, Kesler, Rickard Rakell,?Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen, Cam Fowler, Josh Manson and John Gibson. (Promising young defensemen Shea Theodore and Brandon Montour are exempt from the expansion draft because they are second-year players on entry-level contracts.)First, the 4-4-1 list I picked would mean the Ducks found a way to get Bieksa to waive his no-move for a trade or to be exposed in the expansion draft. The other option would be to buy out Bieksa, who has one more year left on his deal, at $4 million next season. (Some league executives werent sure if buyouts would be allowed before the expansion draft, but a league source confirmed on Monday that they would be. So that could be interesting on several fronts.)Theres also the Fowler factor. The top-four blue-liner will be one year away from unrestricted free agent status. If the Ducks cant sign him to an extension, I wonder if they wont once again listen to trade offers for him after the season. That would either allow Bieksa to be kept on board in Anaheim or for the Ducks to go 7-3-1 on their protection list.Going with the 4-4-1 plan would mean that good forwards?Jakob Silfverberg and Andrew Cogliano are among those left exposed for Vegas.No matter how you spin it, the Ducks have some juggling to do between now and next June.Chicago BlackhawksNo team will likely have more players on the leagues protected list than Chicago. Artem Anisimov, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford?-- count them, eight! -- all have no-movement clauses.Of course, its pretty likely the Blackhawks would have protected those players anyway, right? The reality is that Chicago is in pretty good shape in terms of the expansion draft. And heres a nice break for the Blackhawks: Scoring winger Artemi Panarin is exempt from the expansion draft as a second-year pro, so Chicago doesnt even have to add him to its list. First-year blue-liners Gustav Forsling and Michal Kempny are also exempt, as are all the Blackhawks rookie forwards.The big question mark will be forward Marcus Kruger, who has two more years on his deal after this season at a $3.08 million cap hit. Kruger is a very good penalty killer, yes, but is he a guy Chicago would really protect? Because remember, they have to come up with at least four players to expose who meet the criteria, and Kruger would perhaps fit the bill as one of their two forwards. As it stands, I think?Trevor van Riemsdyk?will be the defenseman left exposed.Regardless of the Kruger decision, the Blackhawks will need to sign and/or trade for another forward or two who meets the exposure criteria (or extend some of their own expiring unrestricted free agents, such as?Andrew Desjardins and/or Jordin Tootoo). They cant currently fill the exposure requirements.Same goes for goalies. Scott Darling doesnt qualify because he will be a UFA on July 1. So either Chicago signs him expressly for that purpose or goes elsewhere to find that exposable goalie. Lots of teams are in the same boat, in terms of not having four players who meet the criteria that they can exposure in the draft. And since there is plenty of time between now and June, and these arent difficult moves, its really just housekeeping for the Blackhawks.Detroit Red WingsThe Red Wings havve only one player with a full no-move, and thats Frans Nielsen?-- so hes automatically on their protection list.dddddddddddd As a second-year player, forward Dylan Larkin is exempt from the expansion draft.I see the Wings going with a 7-3-1 protection list because they have so many forwards eligible for the expansion draft, even with Larkin exempt. Forward?Anthony Mantha and Andreas Athanasiou, for example, are eligible for the expansion draft as third-year pros, so the Wings have to either protect them or expose them.Detroit has tough choices up front. Lets assume they protect Nielsen, Henrik Zetterberg, Gustav Nyquist, Justin Abdelkader, Tomas Tatar and Riley Sheahan.?That leaves them with one spot, for either Mantha, Athanasiou, Darren Helm or Luke Glendening. Three of those guys will have to be exposed.On defense, its more obvious, where the Wings will protect?Danny DeKeyser?and Niklas Kronwall and then one of the following:?Mike Green,?Alexei Marchenko, Jonathan Ericsson, Xavier Ouellet or?Ryan Sproul.Now, let me throw this out there: If youre the Red Wings, do you consider exposing aging stars Zetterberg or Kronwall? Zetterberg is 36, with four more years on his deal after this season at a $6.08 million cap hit. Kronwall, 35, has two more years at a $4.75 million cap hit. Would Vegas take them? And regardless of that decision, is it too delicate for the Wings to even consider, given what these two legends have done for the franchise??Either way, I predict the Wings will try to beef up their blueline before March 1 -- because thats been a goal for a while anyway -- and trade away a forward or two in doing so, which obviously will influence their expansion-draft decisions.In goal, the Wings must decide whether to protect?Jimmy Howard or Petr Mrazek. A year ago, that would have seemed like an easy choice, as Howard wasnt on top of his game. But Howard has been terrific this season, which has spiced up that decision. Detroit also has minor-league options, so trading one of its NHL goalies before the expansion draft is another potential route.Montreal CanadiensThe Canadiens have only two players on the NHLs protection list, I believe, in Carey Price and Jeff Petry. So the Habs arent too hamstrung at all by no-move clauses.But Montreal will still have very interesting decisions to make, and Im ready to be a little bold here. Im predicting that the Canadiens will go with a 7-3-1 protection list: pending UFA Alexander Radulov (whom I think theyll re-sign), Max Pacioretty, Andrew Shaw, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Galchenyuk, Paul Byron, Phillip Danault, Shea Weber, Nathan Beaulieu, Petry and Price.OK, theres lots to chew on here. First, these decisions mean they would expose two veterans in center:?Tomas Plekanec (one more year at $6 million) and defenseman Alexei Emelin (one more year at $4.1 million).I know it seems crazy to protect unheralded guys such as Danault and Byron over Plekanec, but I also think that teams are going to have to gamble a bit with this process. Would Vegas want to bring in a 34-year-old center in Plekanec making six bills when hes not really producing much offense anymore?Now, Vegas has a minimum cap floor total to reach, so maybe it would take Plekanec. And if so, that would create $6 million in cap room for Montreal, which the Canadiens can use moving forward, for sure.The debate on defense for me was between Beaulieu and Emelin -- and again, I went with the younger, cheaper guy, although Beaulieu will be a restricted free agent and will need a new contract. And who knows, really, what his future is long-term with Montreal? In the meantime, I think the Cup-contending Habs will try to upgrade their top four on defense before March 1. And if they do, it might be that the player acquired needs protecting for the expansion draft, which would mean exposure for both Emelin and Beaulieu. Again, who knows?It should be noted that youngsters Charles Hudon and Jacob De La Rose are among those who are not exempt for the expansion draft because theyre third-year pros. So the Habs must either protect them or expose them (or use them as trade chips this season).Montreal, by the way, doesnt currently have a goalie to expose in the expansion draft since backup Al Montoya will be a UFA on July 1, and minor-leaguers Charlie Lindgren and?Zachary Fucale?are exempt as second-year pros.So either the Habs will extend Montoya just for that reason or redo the contract of veteran farmhand Yann Danis, who is currently Montreals AHL backup but on a minor-league deal. It would be an option to sign him to an NHL deal and expose him. ' ' '