EVERYBODY JUST CALLS ME ARIAN

EVERYBODY JUST CALLS ME ARIAN.bullg8rdaddy: What game(s) are you really looking forward to this year?Arian Foster: I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO ALL OF THEM BUT PROBABLY MOSTLY FLORIDA BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T WON AGAINST THEM SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE. AND GEORGIA...FOR OTHER REASONS.Do you talk to any of the former Tennessee running backs? If so, what kind of advice have they given you?Arian Foster: YES I TALK TO JAY GRAHAM HE WAS MY IDOL ON THE FIELD. IN '05 I WAS CLOSER TO HIM THAN ANYONE ELSE OTHER THAN TROOP HE'S BEEN MY MENTOR AND I SPEAK TO HIM REGULARLY STILL. I'VE SPOKEN WITH AARON HAYDEN AND HE'S TOLD ME TO STAY FOCUSED, TO KEEP MY NOSE CLEAN AND REPRESENT MYSELF WELL I'VE SPOKEN WITH JAMAL LEWIS A COUPLE OF TIMES. HE IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO TOLD ME I SHOULD STAY FOR MY SENIOR YEAR.TECVOL: What SEC team is the most difficult for you to run against and why?Arian Foster: I HAVEN'T HAD ANY SUCCESS RUNNING THE BALL AGAINST FLORIDA MOSTLY BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF CARRIES I'VE HAD. I THINK THE MOST I EVER CARRIED AGAINST THEM WAS ABOUT 11 CARRIES. IT'S HARD TO GET INTO A RHYTHM WITH ONLY 11 CARRIES OVER THE ENTIRE GAME.ICEVOL: What do you like to listen to before the game and what are your superstitions?Arian Foster: I LISTEN TO TUPAC USUALLY BUT LAST YEAR BEFORE EVERY GAME, I LISTENED TO "I GET MONEY" BY 50 CENT AND I DON'T EVEN REALLY LIKE HIM.

I USED TO FEEL LIKE I ALWAYS PLAYED BAD WHEN I WORE HIGH SOCKS UNTIL WE PLAYED KENTUCKY. I WORE HIGH SOCKS THEN AND PLAYED WELL SO...MAYBE I DON'T HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS. I PRETTY MUCH SWITCH UP MY STUFF EVERY GAME ANYWAY.CINCY VOL: Do you have a favorite pre-game day or game day meal?Arian Foster: NO, I JUST TRY TO EAT PASTA AND CHICKEN BEFORE A GAME I NEED TO HAVE ENERGY BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE OVERLY FULL.. As much as I applaud and admire Tony La Russa for his constant lineup changes and adjustments, I really wonder what the Cardinals could do if they gave some of their younger or more talented players a consistent shot to play.Players like Skip Schumaker, Brendan Ryan, and Ryan Ludwick are emerging this season in their mid-late 20s, and I wonder if they have had the potential to be starters before this season began.But nobody really knows.

Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols are the only true mainstays in the Cardinals' lineup, but not because of a lack of talent. As mentioned, Tony La Russa's micro managing is useful, but leaves much to speculation.This is my take on what the Cardinals starting lineup should be more often than not, if the desire is to field the most talented team. Catcher Yadier Molina: This is obviously a no-brainer. Yadi might be the best defensive catcher in the game right now. When his pitchers give him a chance to nail a runner on the bases, he usually takes advantage, and he also has an incredible ability to pick runners off.Yadi has improved by miles at the plate since the beginning of his career. His average is hovering around .300, and he has three HRs. First Base Albert Pujols: The best player in the game when healthy.

Period. Second Base Brendan Ryan: Yeah, Ryan sometimes annoys fans and management withlackadaisical play, but he's talented as well. He's got a plus arm, along with good size and speed at the 2B spot. He needs to make normal plays more routinely, but definitely has the ability to make some flashy gems as well. Third Base Troy Glaus: Some people thought Glaus for Scott Rolen was a bad move, but I couldn't disagree more. Glaus has played respectable defense at the hot corner, and his power numbers have come alive recently. He'll still probably get over 20 HRs and 90 RBIs. Shortstop Caesar Izturis: I wasn't thrilled with the move to sign Izturis in theoffseason, and I still think his defense is good, yet overrated. He's almost non-existent at the dish, hitting less than .250 with one HR Pete Kozma cannot come soon enough. Until then, Izturis gets the nod, for defense and the occasional base-knock. Left Field Ryan Ludwick: Ludwick has proved that he can hit MLB pitching consistently.