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I expect Faulk back and productive in 2009, but your argument overlooks a key element - blitz pick-up.
Sammy Morris was someone I expected to be a decent third down back, and he can fill the role, but he's no Faulk on draws, screens, as a receiver, and as we've learned, blitz negater. Patrick Cobb was an option who came along too soon, he's developing nicely for Miami. BJeepers may or may not develop as a receiver and blocker, but like Morris he needs that extra step to get up to speed that Faulk doesn't.
I'll concede the average college RB can learn to tote the rock okay in the pros, it's those auxiliary duties that requires getting them into camp and working with them in an NFL system. BB doesn't have to draft a Faulk replacement, Pioli can scour the UDFA market and waiver wires for prospects and may find one - but finding another Faulk isn't going to be easy and I'd rather take a chance on someone like Ian Johnson with a late round pick - or BB can replace Hobbs and convert him back to RB (high school).
Yes, and Faulk was not an over night sensation. It was a few years before he was the Kevin Faulk of today. He is one of my favorite Patriots now but early in his career, I cringed when he had the ball waiting for his fumble.
This is not a position we need to worry about. When the time comes the coach will figure it out and there may not be another player out there that can be all that Kevin Faulk is today. Exceptional.