Steelers Ramon Foster Names Players Who Flourished The Most Under Excellent Coaching

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a knack for finding diamonds in the rough. They have found numerous players over the years that were cast aside, passed up by other teams or overlooked in the draft process. Some of the biggest names in black and gold lore were players that came to the league as undrafted free agents, including James Harrison, Donnie Shell and Willie Parker. 

While you cannot deny that the players themselves play a huge role in their success because of their determination, hard work, and talent, the coaches these players encounter along the way also play a part. Former undrafted free agent, Ramon Foster considers himself lucky to be one of those players. 

Foster played for the University of Tennessee and was expected to be a late-round draft pick. Unfortunately, he wasn't selected via the draft process, but was picked up by the Steelers to compete at camp. He will tell anyone that, through hard work, he was able to earn a backup spot on the roster. Through continued dedication and an injury to the starting guard, Foster was able to earn a starting spot. 

While he had some ups and downs early in his career, he never quit fighting to earn or keep his spot on the team. Now Foster co-hosts a podcast, that airs on DK Pittsburgh Sports, with reporter Dejan Kovacevic, called The Ramon Foster Show. 

Steelers' Ramon Foster Says Great Coaching Makes A Big Difference

On a recent episode of the show, Foster was asked if he has ever seen a late-round or undrafted player exceed all expectations because of experiencing great coaching at the NFL level. He doesn't hesitate to name himself and give credit to the coach that helped him. 

"Coach T's (Mike Tomlin) faith and belief in my ability to play, along with Coach (Larry) Zierlein and Coach [Sean] Kugler, [Mike] Munchak. NFL coaching means a crap ton."

Foster added that there are so many others who have played in the black and gold that are also examples of how great a player can become with excellent coaching. He pointed out how his former teammate, Roosevelt Nix was undrafted and made a Pro Bowl. 

He said that the player that he feels most personifies this kind of evolution, but who often gets overlooked, is offensive tackle, Matt Feiler. An undrafted free agent in 2014, Feiler tried out for the Houston Texans and was signed to their practice squad. He was claimed off waivers by the Steelers in September of 2015 and flourished. 

Feiler, like Foster, had to earn his way onto the field. He got a shot to start when an injury took out starter, Ryan Harris, but ultimately was released and placed on the practice squad. He did not let that get him down. He showed up each season and gave it all he had. He earned a starting spot in Pittsburgh, consistently winning the right to start at the position over his competitors. Foster believes that coaching made all the difference for him.

"You don't understand where Matt was. Where is Bloomsburg College [sic University]? There is no better reclamation project than Matt Fieler."

Bloomsburg University has an extremely small campus and is located in Bloomsburg, PA. It is a small school with a total attendance of about 7,500. Let's put that in perspective. The University of Alabama, which is known for churning out NFL players, boasts about 39,000 students. Bloomsburg is about a fifth of the size and Feiler is mentioned as a notable alumnus. 

"Matt actually played football and played OL at Bloomsburg when nobody knew what it was. We were like, 'Dude what are you talking about?' I'd never heard of this school. He's from Amish land. To see Matt spend a year or two getting stronger, bigger, getting to practice, getting spun around because he doesn't understand anything, but Munch grabbing on to him, believing in him, and putting him in situations where he had to grow up."

He never let the adversity he faced get him down. Ultimately, Feiler sticking it out paid off for him. He took over for Foster himself when Foster retired. While Foster said he saw that Feiler was growing as a player, he didn't quite expect him to become as good as he did.  

"I never assumed Matt was going to turn into that kind of guy. He could play tackle or guard. You gotta remember that he was subbing in for [Marcus Gilbert] at tackle and then moving into guard also. Matt Feiler is hands down one of the best."

Now, the Steelers are back at training camp and, as always, have players on the current roster that were either undrafted like Jaylen Warren in 2022 or who were late-round draft picks like Cory Trice Jr. in 2023 and have something to prove. While it definitely doesn't always work out the way they hope for all of them, there are sometimes those exceptional players that are able to transcend expectations. 

Who is your favorite undrafted free agent or late-round draft pick that has done well on the Steelers? Is there anyone you are pulling for specifically in 2023? Click to comment below. 

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