Since a worthless press availability early in training camp, Texans running back Arian Foster has avoided the local media. He submitted to the media again on Thursday, and the end result was nearly as worthless.
But at least he offered up something other than hoping to be the best teammate he can be.
Asked how he feels about getting back on the practice field: “Good.”
How does he feel about his role in the offense? “I feel good about it.”
On whether he considered retirement last year: “I’m just out here trying to be the best teammate I can be, man.”
On whether he meant what he said when he told ESPN that he considered retirement: “Every day you just work hard. You’ve got to be the best teammate you can be out here.”
Asked how much it helps the Texans to practice against another team: “A lot. It helps a lot.”
How does practicing against another team help the Texans? “It just helps very much with everything.”
When does he hope to play in a game? “As soon as possible.”
What does he expect from himself this year? “Great football and being a good teammate.”
What does he think of the effort to raise money for cancer research on behalf of teammate David Quessenberry? “It’s awesome. Awesome.”
How did feel to go through a practice? “I felt good. I felt really good.”
What did he take away from the joint practices with the Falcons? “A lot of hard work. Good work out here.”
So why has he decided not to cooperate with the local media? “I’m just trying to be the best teammate I can be and that’s part of it.”
So did he ever give serious thought to retiring? “I’m working hard out here every day, and I’m going to continue to do that.”
Does he believe that creating a distraction (presumably via goofball answers to media questions) is the same as being a good teammate? “I get paid to play football and that’s what I’m going to continue to do and work hard at it.”
Does he know he’s required to talk to the media? “That’s why I’m here today.”
Would he like to play Saturday? “I’m just going to keep working hard and whatever happens after that is going to transpire.”
How far is he from being 100 percent? “Yeah, just got to keep working hard out here and I’m going to continue to do that.”
It’s unclear why Foster suddenly has a problem with the Houston media. At the league meetings in Orlando, we caught wind for the first time of tensions between Foster and the media covering the team on a regular basis.
After today’s session, Foster took to Twitter to say this: “When you don’t give them what they want or expect, they chastise you. Don’t put me in your little athlete box. #Staysuckafree”
He also characterized a tweet contending that he was the only player to not sign autographs for fans as “Lies.”
Those tweets followed Foster’s missive from last month, after his “being a good teammate” routine: “Media is full of propaganda and you’re subjected to their agenda. Don’t let them think for you. #staysuckafree.”
Of course, Foster doesn’t dislike all media, although we’re probably now on his “good teammate” list for pointing out how he’s behaving. He recently gave an interview to ESPN, and he previously has been cooperative with PFT and other national outlets.
A very real problem nevertheless exists between Foster and the team’s press corps. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out this season, including whether the Houston media eventually will file a formal complaint with the league regarding his failure to provide good-faith responses to questions he’s required to answer.