Do we need to look for Faulk's replacement?

[carolinatony]

Should we be looking for a late pick to replace Faulk or do you think he plays a bit longer after this year. We have a extra pick or two that BB can take a chance on someone if he wants.
thanks

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

yes, yes, yes. Man, I saw a list last night of active RB stars taken in the 2nd round or later and it was eye opening. With all the picks we have early you can be certain a RB will be selected before the 3rd ends. If Moreno or Wells slides to 23 we'll take him or trade out. I'd take Moreno, he's the next OROTY in IMHO.

 

[Rob0729]

The Pats have to be concerned about replacing Faulk, but I don't know if it will be this year or through the draft. I think if they go RB through the draft, they will be looking for someone to compete for the starting role with Maroney and Morris.

 

[Feep50]

I love Faulk! Great, great pro for the Patriots..... Having said that, he's getting up there in age. Drafting a player in his mold would be prudent. Unfortunately I have no players in mind... The draft pros on the board will probably weigh in with some thoughts on specific players BB might draft to groom......

 

[spacecrime]

Donald Brown from CT could be the next Kevin Faulk starting in 2009

 

[supafly]

The Pats have to be concerned about replacing Faulk, but I don't know if it will be this year or through the draft. I think if they go RB through the draft, they will be looking for someone to compete for the starting role with Maroney and Morris.

Yeah, I'd have to agree with that for sure

 

[Feep50]

Donald Brown from CT could be the next Kevin Faulk starting in 2009

We may go to an All-Storrs draft..... Brown, Beatty and Butler! Fear the B's!!! Oh, and that other "B" jack-of-all-trades...... What's his name?

 

[Lampshade]

Last year was perhaps the most productive year of his career thus far. I think he's got at least two more years of great football left in him.

 

[spacecrime]

Last year was perhaps the most productive year of his career thus far. I think he's got at least two more years of great football left in him.

His most productive year was 2000, the year he was supposed to be the main back. He did have two more years of good football after that, Unfortunatley, they were 2003 and 2008.

He's a good third down back, but that is it. He cannot run except a draw when a passing play goes for 5-6 seconds and all the LBs and Ss are way out in coverage and the pass rush leaves a gaping hole so big I could run through it.

Time to take his $3 mil salary and put it to better use.

 

[mgteich]

Belichick will use all his backs in complementary fashion. We have four backs. Faulk is the oldest. Should we "replace" Faulk. If Faulk went down tomorrow, Morris and Maroney would pick up the slack and the reps. I don't see the need to replace Faulk.

On the other hand, I do see the opportunity to draft a fifth RB who would be an upgrade to Green-Ellis. After all, if we draft a running back, it will be BJGE that will go. I like Don Brown in the second or Flammetta at 97 or 124.

 

[Lampshade]

His most productive year was 2000, the year he was supposed to be the main back. He did have two more years of good football after that, Unfortunatley, they were 2003 and 2008.

He's a good third down back, but that is it. He cannot run except a draw when a passing play goes for 5-6 seconds and all the LBs and Ss are way out in coverage and the pass rush leaves a gaping hole so big I could run through it.

Time to take his $3 mil salary and put it to better use.

He is a GREAT 3rd down back.

The complaint about his rushing yards coming on draws is an odd one to make about a back who primarily plays on passing downs.

He has been highly productive in the run game, in pass protection, and catching the ball (both out of the backfield and lined up outside). What's more, he has done it all at the most important time of the game.

If the nearly 50 1st downs, and 1,000 yards of crunch-time offense he racked up last year is not worth $3 mill then I don't know what is.

 

[PatsBoy12]

My simple answer is yes.

 

[jmt57]

While I agree with the concept of the OP, it is not as simple as it sounds due to the constraints of the 53-man roster. While a player could be red-shirted, er, I mean put on IR, the NFL is not like baseball or hockey (with their minor leagues) or basketball (where the last few places on the bench never see any playing time.) In the NFL every player on the roster must contribute to the success of the team on the field, whether it be as a starter, in 3rd down packages, or on special teams. The only player on an NFL team that is being counted on to not get playing time is the backup QB.

So while bringing in a player now to be KF's heir apparent sounds good, that means that another player on the roster needs to be cut. It also means that the 'KF position' is now taking up not one, but two roster spots. And if that is the case then depth is being weakened somewhere else on the roster.

 

[Mogamedogz]

If Maroney can learn to block better, I think he has the tools to take over Faulks role. He is pretty dynamic when he catches the ball in space. IMO, they should use him in the passing game more.

 

[Irish Hooligan]

I think we do look to replace him late and cheap in this draft with Ian Johnson, Boise St. I will not waiver on this, I think Johnson is two years away from really contributing in a similar role. I love Faulk, he is amazing. But a look to the future I see Johnson as quite similar.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Should we be looking for a late pick to replace Faulk or do you think he plays a bit longer after this year. We have a extra pick or two that BB can take a chance on someone if he wants.
thanks

There's quite a few draft prognosticators that would disagree the Pats will use a late pick on an RB - they have BB shocking everyone by taking a running back in the 1st or 2nd round.

Knowshon Moreno, Donald Brown and Chris Wells are three RBs that three mock drafts have going to the Pats in the 1st round.

Nothing would surprise me - I think the Pats have the luxury of truly taking the best player available this year.

 

[TheComeback]

Donald Brown from CT could be the next Kevin Faulk starting in 2009

Brown is a completely different kind of player. He is more of a Sammy Morris/Jamal Lewis-type power back. I don't know of anyone in the draft who possesses the kind of elusiveness and receiving skills that Faulk's successor would need. Maybe Knowshon.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Maurice Jones Drew would do nicely, we'd just have to figure out a way to grab him from Jacksonville.

 

[pats1]

Donald Brown from CT could be the next Kevin Faulk starting in 2009

Patrick Pass is also available.

 

[muslimman]

I would say no we dont need to look for his replacement, but we should probably start thinking about it.

Faulk may be getting old but he has very little mileage on him. He has pretty much been used as situational back his entire career so Im sure that his body is not as worn down as many on here think. I predict at least one more solid and productive year from him, barring injury of course.

In addition to that I dont really see too many appealing prospects in this draft class that could fill his shoes. Someone mentioned taking Wells or Moreno.... both those guys would be a horrible replacement for Faulk.