Philadelphia Eagles: DC should be ashamed of signing Reuben Foster

On the anniversary of Sean Taylor’s passing, Washington honored his memory by claiming an abuser on waivers, just in time to play the Philadelphia Eagles.

After taking care of the lowly New York Giants in Week 12, the Philadelphia Eagles now have their sights set on a seriously formidable foe in Washington’s football club in a game that could very well decide the future of the division, and who will represent it in the playoffs.

However, a cloud has suddenly appeared over this matchup that could very well leave many fans in the Linc with a bad taste in their mouths.

Less than a week after being waived by the San Francisco 49ers following a domestic violence arrest on November 24th, before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he literally couldn’t appear in because he was in jail, Washington opted to claim the troubled ex-Alabama LB to fortify their already loaded defensive front seven?

And on the 11th anniversary of Sean Taylor passing no less.

According to Tom Pelissero, Washington was the only team that placed a claim on Foster, and for a good reason.

Now on paper, this is a solid move, as the team essentially got two seasons of an All-Pro level linebacker for free, but unfortunately for Dan Snyder and company, this isn’t a game of Madden.

Over the last calendar year, Foster has been arrested three times, for possession of marijuana in January, for ‘felony counts of multiple domestic violence, possession of a weapon, and infliction of bodily harm’ in April (the charges were eventually dropped), and now once more for ‘misdemeanor domestic violence charges’.

Is that really the kind of guy any team should want on their roster, let alone in a leadership role?

Apparently, it isn’t the kind of player that the Minnesota Vikings‘ Director of Football Administration Anne Doepner wanted on her team, as she immediately posted a link to a domestic violence shelter encouraging others to donate to people in need.

Washington? They apparently saw no issue with bringing Foster into their program, and are (probably) clearing out a locker right now for his arrival.

While it’s nice that “Nothing is promised to Reuben.” according to Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Williams, wouldn’t it have been a stronger stance to merely allow the 24-year-old to clear waivers and seek the help he so desperately needs before attempting to continue on with his professional football career?

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I guess not. Instead, the league literally had to place Foster on their Commissioner Exempt list to keep him off of the field for Washington’s Week 13 bout against the Eagles in the City of Brotherly Love.

Will Foster eventually be reinstated and see the field for Washington later this season? That’s entirely possible, but in my eyes, and my eyes only, this is an absolutely horrible look for a team that knows a thing or two about stirring up controversy. But with Dan Snyder running the show should we really be all that surprised?

Now you may wonder what this has to do with the Eagles, as this is a Philly sports blog after all, and the easy answer would be the NFC East connection. As the proud owner of the stoutest defense in the entire division, Foster could transform them into a generational front, who could give Josh Adams and company fits moving forward.

But at the same time, Foster may get in trouble once more, and never even suit up in the red and gold.

Either way, is this really a wise way to build a team? Sure, the Eagles have a slew of outspoken players like Malcolm Jenkins and Michael Bennett on their roster, but one of the main reasons the team won their first ever Super Bowl in 2017 was because of their inclusive, team first culture.

By claiming Foster, the Redskins are essentially going all in on winning now, regardless of the collateral damage and optics around the league.

By claiming Foster, Washington has not only made the anti-Sean Taylor the new face of their defense; the team has chosen to add a disruptive, abusive force to their roster in the name of winning games.

Needless to say, the Philadelphia Eagles should come out on Sunday extremely motivated to beat Washington; as DC simply does not deserve to represent the NFC East in the postseason this year.