Re: Marshal Faulk's Career Coming To An End? <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk is not attending the team's final minicamp this weekend while contemplating retirement because of knees that have been slow to recover from offseason cleanup surgery.New coach Scott Linehan said Friday that two weeks ago Faulk, who has undergone numerous such surgeries on both knees, expressed his concerns. Linehan said Faulk's agent, Rocky Arceneaux, told him again on Thursday that Faulk "wasn't physically ready to go.""Guys that have played at such a high level for so many years and have taken so many hits, sometimes it starts to wear you down a little bit," Linehan said. "He's trying to figure out how he can manage it."Faulk, the 2000 NFL MVP, is ninth on the career rushing list with 12,279 yards, 34 yards behind Jim Brown. But he had a career-low 292 yards rushing last year and made only one start, in the season finale when Steven Jackson was out with a hip pointer.Linehan said under the circumstances that he didn't mind Faulk not at least attending the meetings at the minicamp to pick up the new offense. Linehan reasoned that if Faulk had attended the camp, he would have wanted to participate even though he's not ready."He's dealing with something bigger than meetings," Linehan said. "I think he's coming to terms with whether he can do it."The competitor in him wouldn't want to be able to stand there and watch," he said.Faulk, 33, has been to seven Pro Bowls, has seven 1,000-yard rushing seasons and 38 100-yard games and was the first player in NFL history to gain 2,000 yards from scrimmage in four consecutive seasons from 1998 to 2001.But he hasn't had a 1,000-yard season since 2001 and lost his starting job in 2004 when the Rams drafted Jackson in the first round.Linehan said Faulk's decision has nothing to do with a change in coaching staffs. Mike Martz, under whom Faulk enjoyed his greatest success, was fired last year after six seasons."It really isn't that at all," Linehan said. "This is a personal issue because he doesn't want to play at a level he's not accustomed to playing."The reality is time does start to catch up to you," he said.Linehan said he hasn't begun to address the running back situation if Faulk decides to retire. The Rams signed Tony Fisher, who had 173 yards and a 2.9-yard average for the Packers last year, in the offseason but have no other proven NFL players at running back."I haven't even gotten there yet," Linehan said. "We just haven't had to cross that bridge yet."</div><div align="center">Source</div>I think so. Steven Jackson has been their primary back the last year or so anyway and although Faulk probably was a great mentor towards him, I think it's finally time to call it quits and fully hand the reigns over to their young stud. He's had a tremendous career though and should end up being remembered as one of the greatest backs ever.
Re: Marshal Faulk's Career Coming To An End? Good. Steven Jackson is a good power runner. He can now take it over in St. Lou, and they don't need Marshall backing him up anymore.He had a great career, but it's time to hang up the boots, because he can't play at a Marshall Faulk like-level anymore, and he doesnt want to do what Jerry Rice did, and make his career look tainted by playing too long.
Re: Marshal Faulk's Career Coming To An End? His days as a Ram (before he started to slump) were amazing. I dont car if he stays longer, I just dont want people to look at the negative aspect if he stays a few more years and his rep goes down. But if he does have a few more years in him I dont want him to pull a barry sanders and be short of his potential.But I doubt that
Re: Marshal Faulk's Career Coming To An End? Marshall Faulk is the most versatile football player ever, and I grew up watching him as a Colt. I will miss seeing him on the football field.
Re: Marshal Faulk's Career Coming To An End? ya, he was great in his prime greatest show on turff. mind blowing at times. ronnie brown reminds me of him with his versatility, i can only hope...
Re: Marshal Faulk's Career Coming To An End? I am a Rams Fan.. huge rams fan.. and well.. as much as i love marshall.. and i love what he has done for us... i think it is best if he retires.. I hope tho he can still stay in the STL. orginization. HE can be a great coach.. especialy to mentor Steven Jackson. I love Marshall... will never forget him... he was one of the best...
Re: Marshal Faulk's Career Coming To An End? What an amazing player, won't find a bigger Faulk fan than my father. 12,279 rushing yards and one the greatest pass catching RB's ever. What a beast. :happy0144:
Re: Marshal Faulk's Career Coming To An End? Ever since the day they drafted Jackson, his career has been over.
Re: Marshal Faulk's Career Coming To An End? <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (yankshater213 @ Jun 23 2006, 04:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Ever since the day they drafted Jackson, his career has been over.</div>no... his career has been over since his surgery on his knees. but he is still a great leader and can make jackson a lot better.
Re: Marshal Faulk's Career Coming To An End? Yet another player to retire. Argh! It's bad to see him go, but let's be honest, they weren't going anywhere
Re: Marshal Faulk's Career Coming To An End? <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KMart @ Jun 24 2006, 04:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yet another player to retire. Argh! It's bad to see him go, but let's be honest, they weren't going anywhere</div>It is always sad to see a great go and i am sure everyone will miss him. I must disagree with the statement "they weren't going anywhere" though. The Rams have gotten much better this offseason, or atleast on paper have and are looking to be pretty nice right now. Defensively is where they needed the upgrade, and they got some seriously good additions. They got Glover in the middle of the defensive line, who will clog the gaps nicely. Having Leonard Little and Glover on the same line is going to be hard for other teams to deal with. They got Witherspoon to play linebacker for them, and should do nicely behind Glover. They lost Archuleta, but got Chavous which is a complete upgrade for the Rams. Archuleta is a harder hitter, but Chavous is faster and much better in coverage. Tye Hill in the draft will be a good cornerback to have, and help with that horrible pass defense. The offense will remain the same, as one of the best in football. Possibly the best Wide Receivers in the league, Holt and Bruce is an awesome receiver duo, but behind them are two impressive studs in Kevin Curtis and Shaun Mcdonald. Steven Jackson will get the rams yards, my only problem is that he needs to do better in the red zone. Only 8 touchdowns does not speak to highly for him or that offensive line. So i think we will see a much better team from the Rams, and just a much better division in the NFC West. I am actually excited about watching that division, with the Cardinals getting a running game to go with that passing attack, and the Seahawks returning from the super bowl.
