Today's Topic: Kevin Faulk

[borg]

Height: 5-8 Weight: 202 Age: 33
Born: 6/5/1976 Lafayette , LA
College: Louisiana State
Experience: 11th season

I like to refer to Kevin Faulk as the "Cleaner" (Harvey Keitel's character in Pulp Fiction). Put Faulk in the game, and he can solve alot problems. Throughout his Patriot's career, he has been the man on third downs and the go-to-guy in the two minute offense. Clearly Belichick has the greatest respect for his play as well as his professionalism.
As great an impact he has had on offense, I was surprised by how few touches (rushes + receptions) he actually gets on game day (regular season).
2009.....6/game
2008.....9
2007.....7
2006.....4
2005....10
2004.....7
2003....15
2002.....6
2001.....5
His touches primarily occur between the 20s, and in the 2nd and 4th quarters.
From 2001 to the present, Faulks typical regular season consisted of 50 carries and 40 catches....with 2 exceptions....In 2003 with the Patriots RB issues, Faulk became a primary back with 178 carries. In 2008, Matt Cassel clearly depended on Faulk, with Faulk posting a career high 58 receptions and a career high of 6 TDs (3 receiving, 3 rushing).
Faulk had a great season last year, and his clutch performances in tight games has been a constant throughout his career.
What is Kevin Faulks future with this team? In 2009, his yards/rush and yards/reception remain consistent with his career stats. The eyeball test tells me that he is not nearly as quick a runner with a thicker body. This is the last year of his current contract that pays $2.9 mill salary, 0.5 mill bonus, and counts $4 mill on the cap.
BB loves veteran backs, just look at the roster. But with age comes injury issues and slower legs. BB appears to be turning over the roster favoring youth over years. Positions that we once believed were veteran-only roster spots (LB) have succumbed to the youth movement. I have to believe that this position won't get the same treatment. The coaches and QB must know their 3rd down back will be error-free in execution. He must be able to pick up the blitz or release out of the backfield with precision. I expect Faulk to be resigned for 2 years, but at a slightly lower wage. I can't think other teams will throw $3 mill at a 6-8 touch guy who is advancing in years. Loyalty will also keep him in New England. Maybe BB will use a 2nd or a mid round draft pick for this position's future....quickness comes with young legs.

Career stats http://www.nfl.com/players/kevinfaulk/profile?id=FAU126264

 

[Snarf]

What are we supposed to say to this thread?

"Yes, those are his stats" ?

 

[mosslost]

What are we supposed to say to this thread?

"Yes, those are his stats" ?

What!? Meany!

I really think he was wanted to open a discussion as to how much longer we have Faulk around, and at what price.

It will really be hard for me to see this guy go. He and Brady are one of the few comfort guys that the team has for me. Whenever you see Faulk get the ball, I always have a good feeling about where the play is going. He is a consitent clutch player, who runs, catches, and blocks well... STILL. He'll be around for awhile longer, I think.

 

[Snarf]

I suspect he'll resign for a minimal salary and retire a Pat when he's done. Probably has a few more years left in him, particularly given the way he hasn't taken much abuse over the years.

One of my fav Pats for sure. You can look back through the years and make a case that some of those close victories that led to superbowl wins wouldn't have been possible without him.

 

[borg]

Funny how he entered the league as a fumble machine and now is considered a sure thing.

 

[jmt57]

I had forgotten that with Tedy Bruschi's retirement, Faulk is the only team member that has been with the Pats since before Belichick became the head coach.

Faulk's lasted a long time by thinking short-term | New England Patriots | projo.com | The Providence Journal by Shalise Manza Young

It has been 11 years since the Patriots made Faulk their second round draft pick, and only he and Tedy Bruschi pre-date Bill Belichick in Foxboro. The fact that the running back, a little small, not the fastest, and with fumbling issues early in is career, has survived this long – with this team – is a badge of pride for the soft-spoke Louisiana native.

"It's not just a long time to be in the league, but this team, with the expectations we have every year for this organization," Faulk said Thursday after New England's second mini-camp session.

He thinks about the fact that he's spent his entire career with the same team "for a certain amount of time. But when the time comes to work for (a roster spot), you just come out and try to make the team."

There comes a time for every NFL player when he starts to debate about how long he'll play, and for men who have been suiting up every Sunday for over a decade, there's even more consideration given to the idea. Faulk said his 33-year old body is feeling fine, and he still enjoys heading out to the fields.

 

[MVPatsfan13]

I love watching trhis guy play, just so shifty. Always knows where the sticks are and seems to fall just past them on what seems like every play. How many times have we seen Brady check down to him on 3rd & long and this guy makes the first person miss, then when he does get taken down, falls forward past the first down marker.

 

[zeke mowatt]

A player whos name should be mentioned along side Troy Brown, Stanely Morgan, etc. After early struggles with fumbles and abortive attempts to use him as an every down/primary back, he developed into one of the most dangerous recieving/screen/third down backs ever. Underrated league wide. Frankly, taking his role into consideration, he's one of the more productive players the pats have had.

 

[everlong]

Kevin Faulk has become Kleenex. A brand name that has become synonymous with the product. I've heard Michaels, Enberg, Collinsworth and others when referencing 3rd down or receiving backs reference it as "he's their Kevin Faulk" when describing the back. I've heard it at least a half dozen times this year alone when watching broadcasts.

Great to see him get the national acknowledgment for what he has provided to the team for so long.

Posting on general NFL sites it's also funny to see Colts, Steeler and other fans make comments like "it's 3rd and 4 and I'm screaming at my TV just cover Faulk whatever you do and then bam 5 yards for a first."

 

[Its_The_Patriots]

I love Kevin Faulk! Shame on me for not having his jersey already, but I am working on getting it.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

Funny how he entered the league as a fumble machine and now is considered a sure thing.

That is the beauty of his story, he turned it around under Belichick and became a key player for us. He did what was asked of him. Like a Troy Brown or a Bruschi.


I love Faulk but this is the year that I think he has been overshadowed....by Morris. It seems like Sammy very quietly was outproducing Faulk in the passing game and running game, with some dramatic hard running, until of course the injury.

If Faulk has any serious competition on the roster for his position as 3rd down weapon, it is definitely Morris. Their stats are remarkably similiar.

I honestly think BB would be happy to keep both players but out of the two, Morris has been making a strong case for more playing time.

 

[borg]

That is the beauty of his story, he turned it around under Belichick and became a key player for us. He did what was asked of him. Like a Troy Brown or a Bruschi.


I love Faulk but this is the year that I think he has been overshadowed....by Morris. It seems like Sammy very quietly was outproducing Faulk in the passing game and running game, with some dramatic hard running, until of course the injury.

If Faulk has any serious competition on the roster for his position as 3rd down weapon, it is definitely Morris. Their stats are remarkably similiar.

I honestly think BB would be happy to keep both players but out of the two, Morris has been making a strong case for more playing time.

Am I the only one that has sees a much larger player than years past?

 

[RobertWeathers]

Am I the only one that has sees a much larger player than years past?

I was thinking the same thing a couple of nights ago when I was watching the 2006 AFCCC. I'm sure hes bigger than his 1998 weight of 202 lbs but I also think he may be wearing more chest protection, thus giving the illusion that he is physically larger. Just a hunch.

 

[Jared]

Am I the only one that has sees a much larger player than years past?

I agree, but it could just be bigger shoulder pads for all I can tell.


I love #33, but I am afraid he will start to break down, and when he does, it will be sudden and we won't be prepared for it. Morris will be older or gone when it happens.

I'd like to see Maroney getting more action on 3rd downs and spread formations if his blocking is up to it.

 

[Gwedd]

I can see him being around for a couple more years or so. As long as he is productive in his role, then he'll likely stay.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I can see him being around for a couple more years or so. As long as he is productive in his role, then he'll likely stay.

His career average is 10 total touches a game so it's not like the guy has been overworked. As long as he maintains his speed & quickness and stays healthy, he may have 1 more very productive year left. At 34, that is damn good for a RB.

 

[bogey888]

I love watching Kevin Faulk make clutch catches

 

[tombonneau]

I love Kevin Faulk! Shame on me for not having his jersey already, but I am working on getting it.

I finally bought one last year. Great jersey to have as you don't see it often yet the guy is the quintessential Patriot.

 

[Kasmir]

Funny how he entered the league as a fumble machine and now is considered a sure thing.

...and some of us never seem to forget that 6 fumble year he had. Seems every season there's a thread or two started about the next best hope to replace Faulk as a third down back. Meanwhile, all he's done is make clutch play after clutch play, year after year. He has finally achieved a grudging level of respect from the fan base, but somehow these threads continue nonetheless. Sadly, sooner or later he will indeed retire. What a truly great Patriot he has been and, for now, remains!

 

[Fencer]

I love watching trhis guy play, just so shifty. Always knows where the sticks are and seems to fall just past them on what seems like every play. How many times have we seen Brady check down to him on 3rd & long and this guy makes the first person miss, then when he does get taken down, falls forward past the first down marker.

Another example of how he matured late. Earlier in the BB era, it seems as if he'd come up a yard SHORT of the marker on every 3rd-and-long.