robertweathers

With BJGE, Woodhead, Vereen and Ridley sure-fire choices to make the roster, the question is who do they keep on as a 5th RB (assuming that they do)? I say Faulk by making the following assumptions:

-He is healthy.
-He stays for reasonable cash (vet min $850k or whatever it is.)
-He has committed to BB that he is comfortable taking on a mentoring role (some games not dressing- see Troy Brown 2007).

Personally, I would like to see this scenario play out for the following reasons:

-Can continue to help Woody develop as the CoP/3rd down back he seems to have the potential to become.

-Can help Vereen & Ridley become men in the pro game and learn the offense.

-Can provide insurance in case Woody or BJGE goes down by picking up a few carries here and there.

-Can serve in an emergency role in KR and PR

-In some offensive sets, having Faulk and Woody in the backfield would be a interesting dynamic for opposing defenses to handle.

Thoughts?

__________________
“I'm not really concerned about the other 31 teams,” - Bill Belichick

"If a player has talent and doesn't succeed, that means that they either don't want to be successful or I have failed as a coach." - Bill Belichick

Brettlax3434

If we bring him back he is going to play. Not as much as in the past but he will play. BB loves Faulk and before the injury he was still effective.

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Bill Belichick on being introduced as a team (2001): "The players wanted to do it that way; they wanted to come out as a team. We've been doing it since October. ... That's the reason we won. Because we played the game as a team."

Kasmir

I think your analysis is spot on. It will all come down to whether Kevin will take the implied pay cut to stay on the team. Would be a good stable of backs.

ctpatsfan77

Part of it is money. Remember that Faulk's salary cap was about $4M/yr the last couple of years (this gives you an idea of how highly valued he was in BB's eyes, AND an idea of how ridiculously cheap Woody's contract was).

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"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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willard

I believe if he is injury free and wants to play another year; so long as the Patriots carry 5 backs, then he will be on the roster.

There is the distinct possibility that only 4 running backs will be kept. We have what looks like a very strong, young 4 guys and Bill may elect to just go with them.

Would be nice to see Kevin go out with 4 rings

robertweathers

Yep. Thats the biggie IMO too.

If he does well in his workouts, some team may give him a nice 1yr deal. Granted it'll be a year later, but he played VERY well at the start of the 2010 season. No question that hes lost a step, but hes pretty good for a CoP/3rd down RB well into his 30s.

__________________
“I'm not really concerned about the other 31 teams,” - Bill Belichick

"If a player has talent and doesn't succeed, that means that they either don't want to be successful or I have failed as a coach." - Bill Belichick

Gwedd

If the Patriots keep only 4 backs, and IF Faulk is willing to continue the mentoring role, I can very well see him hired as a position coach, or special assistant.

ausbacker

I'd rather see him on the coaching roster to be honest.

BradyFTW!

I'm not sure why the Pats would keep Faulk, Woodhead, and Vereen, to be honest. As much as I don't want to see him go, I'd be mildly surprised if he's on the roster in week 1. If he sticks, I think that it will be largely because Belichick doesn't trust Woodhead to protect Brady in the passing game.

Deus Irae

I don't know if it will be Faulk or not, but there will be veteran running backs in camp to battle the young players.

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"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius