The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got themselves one of the most versatile linebackers in this year's NFL draft as well as one of the most passionate in Mason Foster. Though the NFL lockout has served as a roadblock for many young rookies and undrated free agents, this Washington alum's motor hasn't stopped, despite being more than 3,000 miles away from One Buc. He did, however, slow down for a bit to chat.

In the first of this two-part interview, we talk X’s and O’s, his childhood heroes and his first impressions of the team, including Raheem Morris.

X's and O's
Jenna Laine: Mace, you're a real 'football guy' so we’re gonna get right down to business, talk some shop. You played outside and inside linebacker at Washington -– a real selling point for you in the draft. Have you given any thought to where you think you'll feel most comfortable lining up at the next level?

Mason Foster: "I don't really have a preference. It's wherever the Bucs [front office] and coaches feel that can use me the most at, and wherever the team needs me the most at. So wherever they have me lining up –- whether it's Sam, Will or Mike –- I have no problem playing those. I just want to come in and help the team win."

Laine: Talk about the defense you played at the University of Washington. Did you have a preference as to where you played in that scheme?

Foster: "We were over 4-3-2 here and I played WILL linebacker, so our DT was a three- technique. It was the place I played my sophomore and senior year. I led the Pac-10 in tackles and had productive years there. So, if there's any place I really like, it's there.”

“But at the same time, coming in as a true freshman, I played MIKE linebacker, had a big year there, started five games there. Either way, both put you on the spot to make a lot of plays, so you’ve just got to play as hard as possible and you’ll make a lot of plays, either spot.”

Laine: Compare the Huskies defense to what you've seen from the Buccaneer defense. Any similarities between those two systems?

Foster: "They're pretty much interchangeable. The MIKE is essentially the same in both systems. And the WILL is pretty much the same thing too – both outside spots are pretty much interchangeable, so you have to know both (WILL and SAM).

"I feel like the way I played all three -– that my versatility helps me to be able to fit any scheme, to play the nickel, and play things like that because I've played all different spots, I've put my hand down to rush -– I feel like wherever they put me out there to play, I can play because I played so many different positions in college."

Heros
Laine: Derrick Brooks is a player you looked up to, and now you're playing for the same team he spent his entire career with. Considering he still mentors young guys on the team like Geno Hayes and Quincy Black, what does that all mean to you, to possibly learn from him?

Foster: "It's exciting. Derrick Brooks is one of my favorite players and was one of the guys I watched growing up. He’s probably my favorite player of all time, so it's great to be able to come in and play at a place where he played at, where he had a lot of success."

"He still has his hands in the [organization] and he's still helping guys out so, just to get tips from one of the 'greatest-of-all-time' linebackers like that, it can only help you, and make you a better player as well."

Laine: So you've been "pro Bucs" since childhood?

Foster: "Growing up I was 'Pro Bucs' simply because Herman Edwards is from Seaside, California, and he ran his camp every year in Seaside. When he was the defensive backs coach for the Bucs he was bringing in Buccaneers' gear for everybody. I got to meet John Lynch when he played for the Bucs, so it was crazy.”

Laine: So a Northern California guy –- do you remember the Super Bowl in San Diego, with the Raiders and the Bucs?

Foster: "Well, I was a Raiders fan too."

Laine: What?!

Foster: "I was in eighth grade I think then. I was just getting my personality on the football field. I was just starting to make big plays and turn into the player I am now. That [game] made a big impression on me."

Laine: So were you wearing pewter and red that day or were you wearing silver and black?

Foster: "I was actually wearing a little bit of both, rooting for a little bit of both. Definitely loved Derrick Brooks and John Lynch, but I had to go for the hometown team. The Bucs were just way too much for the Raiders that day."

Laine: I understand. It's hard to root against a guy like Jerry Rice. And Tim Brown.

Foster: "Yep, Tim Brown, Jerry Rice, Rich Gannon, Charles Woodson. They had a good team."

First Impressions
Laine: You visited Tampa just after the draft, right before the lockout was reinstated, and you were down in Bradenton for the Rookie Symposium. What were your first impressions of the team and your fellow rookies?

Foster: "Just from watching a couple of games on TV last year -– you see they all play hard. They play with a high level of passion. I definitely think that feeds off Coach [Raheem] Morris. I'm excited to get down there and play. We've got a great group of guys. I've trained with DaQuan [Bowers]. I met Adrian Clayborn in the pre-draft process on a trip so I know the type of guys they are – I’m excited to get down there and play with them and try to make big things happen."

"I had a chance to speak briefly with Geno Hayes, and some of the other guys. They congratulated me [after the draft] and just [told] me to 'keep working.' They’re excited to get going. Everybody is really excited. It's a great group of young guys, and it feels like a great place to be."

Laine: Okay, so Raheem Morris ... You haven't been able to communicate with him because of the lockout situation, but based on your brief encounters with him, what were you able to gauge from him, his personality and style of coaching?

Foster: "He's a great guy. A lot of high energy. Definitely somebody the players love to play for. I actually had a chance to sit down with him at the Senior Bowl for a long time and talk one on one. It was one of the best meetings I had throughout the whole draft process. I felt we connected well when we first met.

"He definitely comes up with great schemes and is one of those guys that [I'm] going to want to play for and I will do anything for him. He reached out and drafted me, so I will do whatever I can to help him win and help this team win."

Laine: I remember the first time I saw Raheem at One Buc. He was the defensive backs coach working with Tanard Jackson and Sabby Piscitelli in the corner of the field. You could feel the energy. He was out there doing drills alongside his players. He has a non- stop motor.

Foster: "You can definitely see that. That’s the type of coach I love to play for –- the energetic, really intense coaches. It doesn’t get any better than that."

** Coming up in Part 2: Foster gives an in-depth look of his rigorous workout regimen up at Washington and talks about the lockout’s impact on rookies.

Follow Blog Blitz on Facebook and join the conversation.

For Buccaneers news on Twitter, follow @Buccaneers_Live and follow me on Twitter @JennaLaineBucs for coverage that includes game-day reports from Raymond James Stadium.

-- JENNA LAINE
NFL Blog Blitz powered by SportsFanLive.com